In a naturally, socially distanced experience, paddle up the Elkhorn Slough with a kayak at your own pace. For land lovers, surrounding trails provide access to the beach and the slough entrance. For a more laid back experience, boat tours provide the most relaxed journey.

Elkhorn Slough Background

Located 20 miles north of Monterey, the Elkhorn Slough is the 2nd largest Californian estuary and sits at the center edge of Monterey Bay. Located at the site of a primordial river drainage basin, the current slough was only recently reconnected to the ocean in 1946.

Getting to Moss Landing

Take 880S to San Jose through the 101 interchange where it will turn into 17S to Santa Cruz. At Santa Cruz, follow the signs to highway 1S. Moss Landing is directly off of highway 1.

Alternatively, you can take 101S. Exit to 156W before Prunedale, and then exit 1N to Moss Landing.

Most of the activities are at north harbor, off of Jetty Rd. The power plant is an unmistakable landmark that is located to the south of Jetty Rd.

Accommodations, restaurants and most boat tours are in the south harbor, further south on 1, off of Moss Landing Rd.

Moss Landing Activities

Hiking

Jetty Road leads into Moss Landing State Beach. From here, you can view wildlife across the north harbor.

The Moss Landing State Wildlife Area across highway 1 from the north harbor is frequented by fishermen along the shores of the estuary. Check their website for the latest information.

Kayaking

Kayaking outfitters from the north harbor (Jetty Rd), offer rentals and quick training courses to set you on your way. The water in the slough is extremely calm, however paddling in/out can be a workout depending on the flow of the tide (see tip below). I’ve tried Monterey Bay Kayaks at Elkhorn Slough and always had a good experience.

An alternate to kayaking are “hydrobikes”. The main advantage the bikes have over kayaks is that they’re higher up over the water and extremely stable. This means bringing large gear (like a large DSLR w/zoom lens) is a lot safer than on a kayak. The downside is that they have a propeller that requires a minimum depth and can get tangled in sea grass or fishing line. Try calling Monterey Bay Hydrobikes to check pricing as they sometimes offer day-of discounts depending on their schedule.

Tip: Check the tide tables for the high tide time. Ideally begin your journey before high tide to let the tide push you into the slough. Start returning to the harbor after high tide, and kick back as the ebbing tide pulls you back in.

Boating Tours

Typically located at the south harbor, boating tour operators offer a leisurely experience into the slough. The advantage is that you have a guide and boat do all the work for you. The disadvantage is that you have less control over your view and ability to explore according to your own interests.

Otter Pictures

Taken from a hydrobike (see above under Kayaking).

Related

• Point Lobos State Reserve
  • Just south of Monterey, plenty of hiking along craggy shore where you’ll spot seals and otters in the water.
• Año Nuevo State Park
  • A regular breeding ground for elephant seals.
• Geologic history of Elkhorn Slough

The post Moss Landing and Elkhorn Slough appeared first on East Bay Wild!.

Waterfall Dreamland

Taking advantage of the spring rainy season in the Bay Area, we swing back down to the Morgan Hill to visit the secretly nestled Uvas Canyon County Park. Here, the waters of Swanson’s creek undulate over a steep rocky bed to create numerous waterfalls ending with one last plunge merging into Uvas Creek.

Uvas Canyon has been closed for most of the year due to road damage from last year’s deluge of rain. Luckily, right after the recent “atmospheric river” passed through the Bay Area dumping 5 inches of rain, Uvas Canyon County Park is now open.

Most of the falls are accessible through the easy to hike waterfalls loop trail. This guide makes a larger loop through the Contour trail with a spur to see the Triple Falls.

Secret tip: Don’t miss the Lower Falls where Swanson’s creek meets Uvas Creek. Starting at the Black Oak Group area, take the Swanson’s Creek Trail along the Swanson’s creek, towards the toll entrace direction. Round trip is about 3/4 miles with some elevation change.

Uvas Canyon Essential Info

Distance: 5 mi
Time: 3hr
Net Elevation: 2100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Hours: 8am – sunset
Parking Fee: $6 per vehicle, reservations required on weekends and holidays
Pets: Dogs ok on leash
Website: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/pages/uvascanyon.aspx
Address: 8515 Croy Rd Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Phone: (408) 779-9232

Getting There

Uvas Canyon is located in Morgan Hill, about 20 miles south of San Jose, and just over an hours drive from the East Bay, depending on which part you’re in.

From the East Bay, take 680S to 101S.

After about 12mi, exit Bailey Rd.  Follow Bailey Rd for about 3 miles all the way to a T intersection and make a left turn onto McKean Rd.

Follow McKean for 6 miles and turn right onto Croy Rd.

Croy road will eventually lead into a collection of properties at Sveadal. Continue onwards until you reach the park entrance and toll kiosk.

The Trail

Checkpoint: Start

The trail conveniently starts out from the parking lot and bathrooms where you can stretch out after a long car ride.

Pickup a Waterfall Loop trail guide which describes various flora along the trail designated by numbered signs.

When you’re ready, proceed further up, past the Black Oak picnic area, to the first waterfall.

Checkpoint: Granuja Falls

Cross the bridge across the creek and continue onto the Waterfalls Loop trail. After only 1/3 mile, you’ll come across the lower portion of Blackrock falls.

Checkpoint: Blackrock Falls

Walk about 20 ft further to find the spur to reach the upper portions of Black Rock falls.

Return to the main trail from Blackrock falls and continue up the Waterfalls trail a short distance along the creek. You’ll pass by Myrtle Flats to a Y junction. Take the right hand side to Basin Falls.

Checkpoint: Basin Falls

Go back down to the Y junction and then take the left side to visit Upper Falls.

Checkpoint: Upper Falls

After absorbing the grandeur of Upper Falls, continue along Contour Trail climbing towards the top of the falls. The trail begins to steepen at this point so if you want to take it easy, you can also call it a day by returning to the Waterfall Loop trail.

The Contour trail follows Swanson Creek upwards. Here, Swanson Creek demonstrates its adroitness down the steep, rocky grade, forming rivulets and dancing down the many diversions in its way.

The contour trail departs from the creek and winds its way under the canopy of trees.

Bending around the hillside, you’ll reach a bent douglas fir tree.

Checkpoint: Bent Tree

The tree marks approximately the half way point between the Upper Falls and Triple Falls.

Continue along the trail until you hit the Alec Canyon trail and turn right. The trail will reach a clearing with a bench to sit and gaze from Manzanita Point.

Checkpoint: Manzanita Point

Continue down the Contour trail until you hit a signed Y intersection. The right side will take you to Triple Falls.

Checkpoint: Triple Falls

At the time of this writing, the last 100ft of the trail suffered from severe erosion and, while passable, required delicate footwork to reach the base of the falls.

From here, return along the same route. When you hit the intersection with the Contour Trail, remain on the Alec Canyon Trail to return back to the entrance.

Bonus: Lower Falls

Once you return to the parking lot, you can take enter the Black Oak Group Area and begin the Swanson Creek trail. It takes you through a wonderful shaded trail that ends up at the intersection of the Uvas and Swanson Creek.

Here, Swanson Creek makes its final waterfall into a small pool that merges with Uvas creek.

Other Waterfall Hikes

Love hiking next to the constant rustle of flowing water and churning waterfalls? Try Berry Creek falls and the Golden cascades in Big Basin. Or Alamere Falls in Point Reyes.

Wildflowers and Flora

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