Waterfall Tour of Uvas Canyon County Park

Overview: Uvas Canyon is a treasure tucked in the hills just beyond the suburban bedlam of Silicon Valley and the South Bay.

Spring-fed creeks keep the water running all year -- albeit at a trickle in the summer and fall -- but winter is the best time to come, especially after a big storm blows in off the Pacific Ocean. Local hiking clubs often make Uvas their official New Year's outing.

You can hike up to seven miles while checking out the falls, but the best ones are all along the Waterfall Loop, which is about a mile and a half. The loop tracks a gorgeous stretch of Swanson Creek so you can turn back at any time.

If you're feeling more ambitious, hike to the far western end of the loop and continue till you reach the crossing over Swanson Creek. Contour Trail climbs sharply back to the east, climbing a ridge that opens at a bench overlooking the nearby mountains. From there it's not far to Triple Falls, the most remote Uvas waterfall.

Tips: The road to Uvas Canyon leads through the small resort of Sveadal -- be very careful here, as you may have to yield to oncoming traffic, while watching for resort visitors.

Uvas Canyon can be quite cold first thing in the morning: you'll want some insulation at first, but the hike will warm you up quickly, so you'll be peeling off layers in short order.

Watch for poison oak on narrow sections of trail.

What to bring:
Water/snacks
Layers
Camera (and tripod if you have one)
Trail map from sign board in parking lot