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.

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

Hiking with hands in pocket. Photo by Art Young.

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

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

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

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

Art standing on the edge.

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

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

Scrambling up the first notch. Photo by Andreas Wiegand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is the summit. Right Art?

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

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

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

Watching the rain showers slowly marching its way towards us.

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

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

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

Climbing queue. Photo by Art Young.

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.

Going down the backside. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Andrew checking his six before hugging his way down.

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

Art doing his best impression of “mountain climbing.”

Going up the wobbly fence. Photo by Art Young.

Everybody making their way over to the last climbing section.

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

Art climbing his way above the gorilla heads.

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

After our lunch break, we resumed our uphill climb.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Aida making her way down the initial steep descent.

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

Breaking out on the exposed trail.

Representing an anatomically inaccurate shape.

Further skewing the inaccuracy. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Tagged as: gorilla heads, kolekole pass, kriangles, pu'u kaua, puu hapapa, puu kanehoa, schofield barracks, waianae mountain range, waianae summit trail, wst