Aiea to Manana

Back for another grinder in the mountains. Misery loves company. I had a lot of them today.

Thanks to Jasmin and Art’s brother for dropping us off at the park before the gates opened. Group photo left to right: Chris, Aida, Art, Lilyn, YawYaw #1, myself, YawYaw #3, YawYaw #2 and Ferlino.

The group pushing off on the rooted trail.

Enjoying the easy part of the hike while it lasts. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Greeting the sunrise with a shaka. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Analyn digging past her double shot espresso cans and boiled eggs as she looks for her makeup bag. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

It was just me and the dolphin at the windy 2,441′ summit.

Approaching the power lines tower as the clouds settled in and blanketed the mountains.

Group photo at the 2,805′ summit where we found no views and no sign. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Chris descending towards the second power lines tower that straddle the mountains.

Making sure everybody was grounded to prevent any static discharges.

Starting our roller coaster of a hike.

Anne and Tessa going primate as they climbed up the seemingly never ending hills. Photo by Art Young.

Aida making her way on the ridge.

Tessa had some major bulging blisters on her foot; but with Lilyn’s medical tape and Ferlino’s magic hands, she was ready to get back on the trail.

Panoramic view of the Windward coastline.

The group maintaining social distancing on the trail. Photo by Art Young.

Ferlino sweeping the trail. Photo by Art Young.

Aida looking at the toothy ridge as it sloped down from the mountain range. Photo by Art Young.

Chris rooting out the aromatic rhizome. To eat or not to eat?

Looking back as the ridges seemed to keep the clouds collected on the Leeward side. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Tessa shivering in a space blanket. Who said you can’t freeze in Hawaii?

The group coming down from the misty mountains.

And then just like that … the clouds cleared and gave us sweeping views of the magical and mythical meadows and points beyond. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

The group sliding their way down to the grassy field. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Looking back at one of the largest meadows to be found on the Ko’olau Mountains.

Everybody finding their individual and collective 15 minutes of photographic fame in the lush and windy landscape.

Somebody wished they had that space blanket right now as she balled up into the fetal position. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Our group photo on the meadow mound.

Leaving the greener pastures for overgrown ridges. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Climbing out of the meadows. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Lilyn following the curvature of the ridge line. Photo by Aida Gordon.

The rise and fall of the hikers.

Looking down into Waihee Valley that are bordered by the twin sister ridges of Eleao Windward and Kalahaku Teeth. Photo by Aida Gordon.

The sound of the yawyaws preceded their arrival to the 2,160′ summit.

Group photo before Aida, Anne and Art decided to go down the Waimano Trail…

… but first, the mutually consenting butt grab in the mountains. Must be a female thing.

The rest of us climbed out of the saddle as the other three made their way down the graded trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Looking back at the assorted colored hikers making their way along the ridge.

Chris pushing towards the 2,660′ summit of Manana.

Tree envy?

Chris climbing up as we noticed the fence topped ridge line ahead of us.

I guess imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Following the partially completed fence line up the ridge.

Lilyn taking in the smaller grassy field.

Our last summit for the day. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

The group descending down into the clouds.

Losing elevation as well as cloud cover.

The fence sprawl has spread to the Manana ridge. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Our last group photo at the halfway mark. Only 3.5 more miles to go. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Tessa and Lilyn climbing their way down.

False peaks for daze. At least the trail was thankfully not congested with uluhe ferns.

We soon caught up to Chris who was napping at the picnic shelter.

Chris catching the sunset. Mostly everybody had to have their “Lion King” photo experience.

Time to bust out the head lamps. Night marchers on the trail.

Mahalo to Art who brought us ice cold carbonated beverages to wash the tiredness away. Shout out to Jasmin for picking us up and entertaining us with her usual verbal gymnastics. Post hike meal at Pho 97. They should stick with what they know best and skip the oxtail.

Our grinder hike covered 14.3 miles through weather and terrain that seemingly changed on a dime. Another fun adventure with good friends.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Tagged as: aiea loop trail, aiea ridge trail, aiea summit, eleao meadows, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, manana ridge trail, manana summit, waimalu meadows, waimalu summit