At the beginning of a new year, I find myself noting a lot of firsts for the year. When I made a green juice for breakfast yesterday morning, I was all, “This is my first meal of 2014, and it’s so healthy. Go me!”
I didn’t wait long to accomplish my first exercise session of 2014. I figured what better way to ring in a new year than to go on a hiking adventure with my hubby and puppy on a nice day?
Early afternoon we headed over to Uvas Canyon County Park, a 1,133-acre park in our current town of Morgan Hill that we had never been to before. The things that really intrigued me into visiting the park were:
1.) The fact that you have to drive through a private Swedish settlement called Sveadal to get into the park
2.) Waterfalls! Even though 2013 was the driest year on record in the Bay Area – it has barely rained since I moved here last March! – we decided to head over to the park to see if we could spot any flowing water.
Although the park’s parking lot was pretty crowded with nature goers like ourselves, I must admit that it was a little strange to pass through Sveadal and see not one soul in sight. It was noon on a holiday Wednesday, and there was not a person around.
With the combination of the ghost town of Sveadal and the empty forests we were hiking through, it was the perfect opportunity for my hubby to make frequent references to the horror film Mama. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of watching this freaky movie, it’s about these two little girls who are abandoned in a cabin forest, then raised by this creepy ghost who they call “mama.” The park was beautiful, but then I couldn’t stop picturing little children walking around on all fours like wolves. Thanks for creeping me out, hubby! 😉
We started off following the hiking directions from this website, taking Alec Canyon Trail up a nice steady incline that got my heart pumping. We hiked almost a mile off the trail we were on to see Triple Falls, and this is what we found….
One teeny baby waterfall and not much else! We had to laugh.
Once we made our way back to Alec Canyon Trail, we turned onto Contour Trail to explore around more. This trail is what leads to Basin Falls, but after awhile, we decided to retrace our steps and go back the way we came. We figured that there wouldn’t be much to see in terms of waterfalls, but we made sure to climb on trees like monkeys, and other usual hiking shenanigans ensued.
There was a pretty waterfall at the start of our trek, which we visited before heading back to the car. All in all, I really enjoyed this park and would love to go back and hike when the Bay Area isn’t amidst a drought…. and in the hopes of seeing a person or two who actually lives in the secluded little Swedish settlement, now that my curiosity is peaked!
We hiked a little over 2 hours. Nice scenery, good company, mild weather…I couldn’t really ask for more for my first workout of 2014!
I’m so jealous that you have these trails basically in your backyard! Packing my bags and moving to Cali as we speak…
Cali – and me – would love to have you!
OMG I’ve seen that movie!! Too funny. Looks like a beautiful hike!
Ha! Thanks Sylvia, it was.
That’s so funny- I was actually planning on doing that hike on New Years Day! But then I realized the waterfalls would be pretty dry and decided the hour+ drive wasn’t worth it. It does look like a really pretty hike though! I’m hoping it rains sometime soon so I have a good reason to make the drive.
You should check out Berry Creek Falls at Big Basin Park. It’s one of the best hikes we’ve been on yet.
We ended up hiking in the East Bay and it was such a fun way to spend New Years. Great minds think alike! 🙂
Imagine if we bumped into each other hiking?! That would be so funny! Better yet, we should plan a meet-up on purpose since we aren’t that far from one another. We only have like a million things in common! 🙂
Funny you should say that about Big Basin Park. Someone recently told me about it and that was my other New Year’s Day option, but it’s pretty far from me – a little under 2 hours – so I decided against it. But maybe sometime soon I’ll venture there!
Cool, I knew you lived in the Bay but didn’t know you lived in Morgan Hill! The only time I went there was to go to the In-N-Out while driving down to SoCal and also because of the girl that was kidnapped about a year ago.
You are so right about the dryness, I have lived here since I was born and the lack of rain is really scary to think about.
Oh yeah, good old Morgan Hill! Yeah it’s a little town but it’s pretty cute.
This looks like a nice way to spend the first day of the year. Pretty pictures!
Thanks, Ali! It was a great way to start the new year.
What a great way to start 2014! I am super jealous that you have all these amazing trails near you and you can hike all year round!
Yeah it was great! Yes I’m pretty lucky to be living in Cali 🙂
Just came across your blog, full of fun things to do and places you’ve been. Saw your post about Uvas Park and Sveadal. My family owns a cabin at the resort…I grew up spending summers there. Sveadal was built close to 1900…way before the park was there. It’s always difficult having folks drive thru as they are heading to the park, but it’s nice to know there are people out there who respect the serene canyon. Each year near the summer solstice, Sveadal opens to the public to celebrate the Swedish Midsummer. If you are interested, check it out at http://www.sveadal.org
Happy trails!
Hi Kirsten, thanks for stopping by and thank you for sharing the link! Yeah I definitely got the feeling that Sveadal was built before the park, and figured that the people who live there probably don’t love everyone driving through their town. It’s not every day you find a place like Sveadal and I was definitely intrigued by it!