Friday, February 26, 2010

Uvas Canyon County Park Waterfalls





With all the rain that has been falling lately there couldn't be a better time to see the waterfalls at Uvas Canyon County Park. This Santa Clara County park is in the southern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Morgan Hill.

TO GET THERE... from Hwy 101 south of San Jose, take Bernal Road west, turn left on Santa Teresa Boulevard, right on Bailey Avenue, left on McKean Road (which turns into Uvas Road), and right on Croy Road.

After paying the $6.00 per car entrance fee, park and walk down the road to the Waterfall Loop trailhead. You can combine the Waterfall Loop, Contour, and Alec Canyon trails to form a moderately easy 3 mile loop. Be sure to take the short spur trails to Black Rock Falls and Basin Falls. Upper Falls is at the trail junction with the short path to Basin Falls.

There is one more waterfall in this park that is not on this loop. To visit Triple Falls you will add 1.2 miles to the route described above by turning right (instead of left) when you reach Alec Canyon Trail. Then take the next right to Triple Falls.

If you still haven't had enough exercise, hike the steep ascent to Nibbs Knob, named for a nineteenth century homesteader. This route climbs 1,800 feet in only 1.7 miles. That's steep enough to make you sweat profusely even on a cool day.

This park has a campground with 25 individual campsites and a youth group camping area for non-profit youth groups of up to 40 people, available on a first-com, first-served basis. There are also individual and group picnic facilities. For more information, call (408) 779-9232.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Tom Taber's Spring/Summer College of San Mateo Classes



Tom Taber has taught his Peninsula Parks & Trails class every year since 1985 through College of San Mateo Community Education. Because of popular demand, this year Tom will offer three sessions of this fun and informative class between late March and late July 2010.
Learn about plants, wildflowers, animals, geology, and history as you discover some of the most interesting and scenic parks and trails in the mountains south of San Francisco. On each 4-6 mile trip we will stop frequently to examine natural and historical features of the terrain and sample some tasty treats made from native edible plants.
We will walk on maintained trails at a liesurely pace. Hiking boots or running shoes are recommended.
You can register online at http://communityed.smccd.edu or by calling (650)574-6149.

SESSION 1:
Enjoy pioneer history and wildflowers at Fremont Older Open Space; old-growth redwoods and scenic vistas at Sam McDonald County Park; and spectacular views, a beautiful pond, and lots of wildflowers at Long Ridge Open Space.
LECTURES: Thursdays, March 25 & April 22, 7-9 PM
FIELDTRIPS: Saturdays, March 27, April 10, & April 24; 10AM-4PM
LOCATION: CSM, Building 18, Room 307
PRICE: $65.00

SESSION 2:
Explore an oak woodland by a beautiful reservoir at Calero County Park; redwoods and ridgetop views at Butano State Park; and spectacular coastal views and wildflowers on Montara Mountain.
LECTURES: Thursdays, April 29 and May 27, 7-9 PM
FIELDTRIPS: Saturdays, May 1, May 15, & May 29; 10AM-4PM
LOCATION: CSM, Building 18, Room 307
PRICE: $65.00

SESSION 3:
We will walk along a beautiful creek, amid second-growth redwoods, to relics of pioneer history at Fall Creek; view elephant seals and other marine life at Ano Nuevo Preserve; and enjoy scenic views and redwoods at Purisima Creek Open Space.
LECTURES: Thursdays, June 24 and July 22, 7-9 PM
FIELDTRIPS: Saturdays, June 26, July 10, & July 24; 10AM-4PM
LOCATION: CSM, Building 14, Room 115
PRICE: $65.00