Ka’au Crater Loop

by kenji SAITO on June 27, 2015

Hiking Ka'au Crater Loop

Met up with Alex, Gary and Gen deep in Palolo Valley to loop a hidden crater nestled against the Ko’olau Range. Early hikers gets the limited parking spaces.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Going down the rabbit hole. Last time we took the wrong road and ran into two large dogs. Protective dogs. They are still around.

Going down

Going down

Making our way down the flagged trail.

Ginger Shampoo

Ginger Shampoo

Abundant awapuhi growing on the stream banks. Forget Paul Mitchell. Straight from the source.

Wai'oma'o stream

Wai’oma’o stream

Morning yoga.

Water follows the arrow

Water follows the arrow

We soon left the stream and followed the water pipe as it snaked through the lush forest.

Human picker

Human picker

Catch! Alex tossing out mountain apples like they were free or something.

Landslide

Landslide

The black pipe’s continuity was interrupted by white PVC piping, a testament to the power of Mother Nature.

Which one carries the water?

Which one carries the water?

Crossing the new pipe to get over the old pipe.

Waterfall #1

Waterfall #1

We dropped down into the first waterfall.

Seeking the magic mushroom

Seeking the magic mushroom

Feed your head. Feed your head. Feed your head.

Going up

Going up

We climbed out of the waterfall and made our way up the rocky trail to the left.

Looking down

Looking down

Water plunging down the 40′ fall.

Waterfall #2

Waterfall #2

Group photo left to right: Alex, myself, Gen and Gary.

Contour

Contour

We climbed the trail to the right and walked on tree branches to make our way up the cliff.

Memorial rock

Memorial rock

Alex making his way around the bronze plaque dedicated to Heidi Marie Page.

Close to the edge

Close to the edge

Water gushing over the 50′ fall and trickling down the valley stream.

Follow the stream

Follow the stream

We followed the stream that lead us to…

Waterfall #3

Waterfall #3

…the longest and gradual of the waterfalls.

Kalo patch

Kalo patch

Got poi?

Synchronized hiking

Synchronized hiking

Gary and Gen crossing the waterfall.

Slippery when wet

Slippery when wet

Need rope? Maybe not.

End of the waterfalls

End of the waterfalls

We soon crested the cascading falls and took the trail to the right to gain the ridge.

Ridgeline

Ridgeline

Straight shot to the Ko’olaus.

Steep climb

Steep climb

The trail became steeper, muddier and sparsely vegetated as we neared the top.

Ko'olau Range

Ko’olau Range

Looking towards Mount Olympus and points beyond.

Ka'au crater

Ka’au crater

The marsh filled crater that constantly feeds the waterfalls. One day I would like to paddle a small boat in there.

Cloudy Olomana

Cloudy Olomana

Checked out a couple windward ridges for future hikes.

2,395' summit of Palikea

2,395′ summit of Palikea

Afternoon siesta and yoga at the top.

KSRT

KSRT

Traversing the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

Another view

Another view

Peeking into the crater and the sprawling city of Honolulu beyond.

On the edge

On the edge

Soaking in the cloudy views.

Zip line

Zip line

If you build it, they will come. In droves.

Ridge hike

Ridge hike

Hiking in the clouds towards the second power lines. Always a surreal experience.

Going down

Going down

Gary and Gen making their way down the ridgeline.

Connecting powerline

Connecting powerline

The trail soon leveled out. Easy peasy.

Barefoot hiking

Barefoot hiking

Alex shed his shoes due to festering blisters as we took the ridge down that bypassed the waterfalls.

Rope vs branch

Rope vs branch

Whatever it takes to make your way down.

Pipe going down

Pipe going down

The ridge dropped us back down into the stream trail.

Follow the arrow

Follow the arrow

Signs and ribbons sprinkled the trail like bread crumbs.

All pau

All pau

We came out of the canopy filtered trail and walked back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

The waterfalls, crater and ridge hike covered 5.33 miles. Post hike meal at Big City Diners. Side of Pad Thai.

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