Kolekole Pass to Pu’u Kaua

by kenji SAITO on June 6, 2021

Hiking Kolekole Pass to Pu'u Kaua

Schofield Barracks was once again open to the hiking public this weekend. Thanks to Jamie for dropping Andy and myself off to the trailhead where we waited for Robert to drop off Aida, Andrew, Art and Lilyn.

Trailhead

Trailhead

We are hiking on a military base. Photo by Andreas Wiegand.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Hiking with hands in pocket. Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Pass Rock

Kolekole Pass Rock

This is what happens when you try to copy Mr. Green.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Following the signs. Staying on trail. Don’t want to step on an UXO. Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Bench with a view. Why isn’t anybody on the bench? Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Shall we go up the steep route or the switchback way? Is that a rhetorical question? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Art standing on the edge.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Waiting for the rest of the group to join us. Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Enjoying the views of the largest coastal valley on the island. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Scrambling up the first notch. Photo by Andreas Wiegand.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

G’Day Mates! Somebody finally got to say that in the proper context. Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Andy climbing out of the second notch. Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Making our way to the last major hill before it leveled off to a more walkable grade. Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Looking back at the highest mountain on the island that was strikingly clear. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Platform with a view. At least somebody is using the platform. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

Somebody was enjoying the solitary panoramic views. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kolekole Pass Trail

Kolekole Pass Trail

The group descending from the 2,883′ summit of Hapapa.

Pu'u Hapapa

Pu’u Hapapa

Group photo on the helipad left to right: Aida, Lilyn, myself, Art, Andrew and Andy. This will always be the summit to me.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Leaving the flat top as we descended down the steep and fenced ridge line. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Climbing down the assorted boulders that interrupted the ridge line. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

We crossed over multiple times as we sought the trail that was less green on the other side of the fence. Photo by Andreas Wiegand.

WST

WST

Andy standing on a dead end with unbeatable views of the valley and surrounding areas.

WST

WST

A different perspective of the trail we were traversing. Photo by Andreas Wiegand.

WST

WST

It’s all about the posing. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

Art and Andy going the contour way. No climbing show today.

WST

WST

We all took different paths to get … Photo by Aida Gordon.

WST

WST

… back on the same trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu'u Kanehoa

Pu’u Kanehoa

This is the summit. Right Art?

Pu'u Kanehoa

Pu’u Kanehoa

Dropping down from the 2,778′ knob. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Contouring our way around the rockface and pushing through the overgrowth.

WST

WST

Making our way over the multiple humps that characterized the ridge. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Watching the rain showers slowly marching its way towards us.

WST

WST

Scooting our way down in confined spaces. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Approaching the two humps known collectively as gorilla heads or kriangles. Photo by Art Young.

Gorilla Heads

Gorilla Heads

The group climbing their way up the smaller hump. Photo by Art Young.

Gorilla Heads

Gorilla Heads

Climbing queue. Photo by Art Young.

Gorilla Heads

Gorilla Heads

Art climbing his way to the top of the big hump as the rain showers slowly washed over us and then drifted away. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Gorilla Heads

Gorilla Heads

Going down the backside. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Gorilla Heads

Gorilla Heads

Andrew checking his six before hugging his way down.

Gorilla Heads

Gorilla Heads

Our group bunching together in the middle of the saddle. Photo by Art Young.

Gorilla Heads

Gorilla Heads

Art doing his best impression of “mountain climbing.”

WST

WST

Going up the wobbly fence. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Everybody making their way over to the last climbing section.

WST

WST

In addition to providing my standard elevator service, I also do chiropractic adjustments. Still only a nickel. What a bargain. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Art climbing his way above the gorilla heads.

WST

WST

What would you do for a tangerine? Climb down a steep cliff to retrieve said citrus fruit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

After our lunch break, we resumed our uphill climb.

WST

WST

We can see the summit for the ridgeline. No we can’t. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

Climbing up through the pollen saturated uluhe corridor. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

Follow me, I know a shortcut. Famous last words. Photo by Aida Gordon.

WST

WST

Aida climbing down the direct drop. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu'u Kaua

Pu’u Kaua

Group photo at the 3,127′ summit where we were afforded panoramic views of the Westside valleys, the entire Ko’olau Mountain Range and the Wahiawa plain.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

It was time to head down and get a bite to eat. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Aida making her way down the initial steep descent.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Standing in for Ms. Lonely. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Breaking out on the exposed trail.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Representing an anatomically inaccurate shape.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Further skewing the inaccuracy. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Somebody was either trying to stomp on somebody or releasing excessive flatulence. My money is on the latter.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Climbing over the last fence of the day that also intersected with the Hono’uli’uli Contour Trail.

Handstand

Handstand

When reality fails to meet expectations. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kaua Trail

Kaua Trail

Testing my balance. No water to break my fall. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

All pau

Walking back to our staged cars. Saved us several miles of walking out to the highway.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our hike covered a little over five miles through the lowest point in the Waianae Mountain Range and ending at the third highest peak on Oahu. Post hike meal for the directionally challenged at Ono Steak and Shrimp in Kapolei. Fun hike with old and new 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.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Aida Gordon June 22, 2021 at 2:58 pm

Good fun hike! Thanks for letting me check this off ny bucket list! You’re the best nickel tour guide and chiropractor!

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kenji SAITO June 23, 2021 at 8:48 am

Aloha Aida,
Thanks for coming. Maybe I should raise my prices to keep up with inflation? Lol.
Mahalo

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