Uvas Canyon County Park is a refuge for south bay hikers.  It's too far from civilization to be used as a neighborhood exercise track, and horses and cyclists are not allowed on any of the trails. The park offers a few loop opportunities, and one steep out-and-back option. Many visitors go no further than the Waterfall Loop. A 1-mile route along both shores of Swanson Creek, the loop includes a self-guided nature trail (pick up a pamphlet from the wooden box at the start of the trail). The toughest hikes in the park are the treks to Nibbs Knob and Knobcone Point. Nibbs Knob is a 3.6 mile out-and-back hike with a gain of about 1400 feet (there's a shorter, easier route from the other end of the Nibbs Knob Trail, accessed via a pullout on Summit Road). The trip to Knobcone Point is a less strenuous climb, simply because the trail only extends 0.4 mile.
     Although Uvas Canyon County Park offers a feeling of rugged remoteness  there are also 25 campsites with drinking water and restrooms available on site.
     For the featured hike, start at the day use parking lot and walk on the paved park road uphill. When the road forks, bear left. Pass through a group picnic area, following the sign to the Waterfall Loop Trail. At about 0.2 mile a gate marks the start of the hiking trail. On the right side of the path, check the wooden box for maps and a nature trail guide to the waterfall loop. At about 0.3 mile, at a signed junction, Waterfall Loop Trail sets out on the right. Keep going straight, on Alec Canyon Trail.
     The wide fire road is often padded with pine needles after winter storms. The trail makes a sharp turn near a water tank, then begins a consistently moderate-steep climb. Some sections are a bit rocky. Through breaks in a woodland of California bay, Douglas fir, tanoak, and madrone, a ridge to the northwest is visible. At a viewpoint, there's a bench right next to a pinkflowering currant bush. In winter the bush's blossoms attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Later in the year, the berries are edible (although currants are not the most delicious wild berry). The view from the bench fans out of the canyon to the east. In winter 2003 damage from the Croy Fire was conspicuous; large sections of the hillsides north and south of Uvas Creek were charred and still bare. Alec Canyon Trail continues ascending to about 0.7 mile, where at a signed junction, Contour Trail begins. If you want to visit Triple Falls, continue straight another 0.6 mile, then backtrack to here. Or, walk out and back to Manzanita Point, just 0.25 mile from this junction. Turn right on Contour Trail.
     After you get into the rhythm of it, Contour Trail becomes predictable, like the repeating background of a cartoon. You'll hike uphill through California bays and madrones, with ferns and moss-covered rock formations in the understory. The path makes a tight turn at a stream crossing, then you'll climb uphill, cross through a small patch of chaparral, the path curves up and back into the trees, you'll hike uphill, etc. Contour Trail is very narrow throughout, and the drop-off on the right side is steep. Other than the sounds of water rushing downhill, it's very quiet. This is definitely a trail where you should concentrate on your footing, and a trekking pole is a good security blanket. The vegetation cover is heavy, with few views of the surrounding hillsides. As you hike on, the sounds of rushing water becomes louder, until, at about 1.9 miles, the trail bends right at a signed junction on the shores of Swanson Creek. It's a wonderful spot for a rest break. Swanson Creek, a year-round stream, flows downhill via a series of small waterfalls (other branches of the creek feed into the main channel  further downstream). At this spot, under some redwood trees, water tumbles over sandstone rocks and fallen tree limbs, then pools and collects itself before rushing off again.
     When you're ready to continue, walk downhill on the side of the stream, carefully descending through some rocks that can be slippery with water and moss. The path crosses through the creek, then widens on the opposite side (there's a trail sign with an arrow that's not obvious unless you're headed in the other direction). At an unmarked junction, a trail to the left visits the Hot House Site (plumbing remnants jut out on the side of the path). Stay to the right.
     Some steps stabilize the trail surface as it drops down near the water, then skirts a large landslide. Bigleaf maple and California bay are mixed through Douglas fir along the trail. Upper Falls, the largest drop on the creek, is distinguished by a swath of dramatic black rock. At about 2.2 miles, at a signed junction, the short trail to Basin Falls departs on the left. Trudge uphill on the path for a pretty view of Basin Falls, then return to the main trail and continue to the left.
     Just downhill from this junction, there's another junction, with the trail to Knobcone Point. A few picnic tables sit near the edge of the water, and Waterfall Loop Trail reaches the turnaround point here. If you want to walk on the south side of the creek, on the narrow Waterfall Loop Trail, it starts near the picnic tables. This segment of trail features more bridge crossings of the creek, and a more intimate hiking experience. On the other hand, from the Waterfall Loop Fire Road which runs along the north side of the creek, you can see both sides of the creek, and the Waterfall Loop Trail, and the trail is more stable. Continue downhill on the fire road.
     Another short spur, this one to Black Rock Falls, breaks off on the left side of the trail. The signpost was missing its face plate on my last hike, but the path is easy enough to find. Like the trail to Basin Falls, the path ascends just a bit, then turns into a side canyon. Maples and boulders surrounding the falls were swathed in green moss when I visited in February, and a few milkmaids bloomed along the trail. Head back to Waterfall Fire Road and turn left.
    The self-guided nature tour identifies California nutmeg, canyon live oak, California buckeye, and other plants along the side of the trail. Look for snoozing ladybugs on trailside vegetation in winter. A sturdy set of steps descends to meet up with Waterfall Loop Trail. Continue straight on Waterfall Fire Road, which crosses the creek one last time. The trail forks; bear right. You'll return to the previously encountered junction with Alec Canyon Trail. Turn left and retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Total distance: about 3.2 miles
Last hiked: Sunday, February 16, 2003