Kulepeamoa Loop Trail

by kenji SAITO on January 10, 2015

Hiking Kulepeamoa Loop Trail

Back to do another short loop on the Eastern Ko’olaus.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Met up with Chris, Jose, Rob and Ryan at the end of Anolani Street in Niu Valley.

Canopy cover

Canopy cover

Headed into the valley with copious amounts of canopy cover and absence of mosquitoes. Can’t ask for much more on the trails.

Streambed crossing

Streambed crossing

Multiple crossings of the boulder strewn Niu Stream marked the start of the trail.

Junction

Junction

The washed out section of the trail, where we stayed right to gain the ridge.

Going up

Going up

Tightly packed trees marked the initial ascent up the ridge.

Ironwoods

Ironwoods

Dropped pine needles on this section made for slippery and soft footing.

Help!

Help!

No hiker was harmed in the making of this photograph.

Seen any pigs?

Seen any pigs?

Met a group of hunters with their dogs on the ridge. The dogs soon lost interest and turned around.

Same hill, different trees

Same hill, different trees

Resuming our slow cardio burn as the trees thinned out as we gained elevation.

Uluhe ferns

Uluhe ferns

What hike wouldn’t be complete without a patch of uluhe ferns?

Bridging the gap

Bridging the gap

Rob showing his flexibility.

Panoramic view

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Kulepeamoa ridge

Kulepeamoa ridge

The ridge started to become more defined and exposed. Thank you. Photo by Ryan Leano

Erosion

Erosion

Jose about to pass one of many eroded sections sprinkled along the upper ridge.

Dirt chute

Dirt chute

Rob approaching the roughly 50′ steep section. Ropes are provided.

Climbing

Climbing

Where’s the escalator? Photo by Chris Chun.

Looking down

Looking down

Jose making his way up.

Ohia lehua

Ohia lehua

Buzzing bees were busy picking up pollen from the abundant salmon colored lehua flowers.

Final push

Final push

Multiple false peaks and a roller coasting ridge were behind us as we were within striking distance of the summit.

Kulepeamoa summit

Kulepeamoa summit

Group photo at the 2,480′ summit, left to right: Chris, Ryan, Jose, myself and Rob.

Panoramic view

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Kulepeamoa Windward

Kulepeamoa Windward

Checking out a future Windward ridge hike. Photo by Ryan Leano.

KSRT

KSRT

The group headed North along the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail. The twin peaks of Konahuanui were strikingly clear in the distance.

Looking back

Looking back

Another view of the Windward ridge that we had scouted out earlier from the summit.

Cross over

Cross over

It was another brief crossing between summits. Within less than half an hour, we found ourselves on top of Hawaii Loa Ridge.

Mountain yoga

Mountain yoga

Chris showing us how it’s done.

Hawaii Loa summit

Hawaii Loa summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ summit. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Hawaii Loa Ridge

Hawaii Loa Ridge

The sign that warned of multiple slips and falls was missing.

Headed down

Headed down

It’s been several years since I last set foot on Hawaii Loa Ridge. Nothing much has changed.

Cloudy Ko'olaus

Cloudy Ko’olaus

Looking back at the clouds rolling over the Ko’olaus.

Junction

Junction

Finding the junction that would drop us back down into Pia Valley was made possible from Troy Solano’s GPS tracks. Mahalo!

Tree brakes

Tree brakes

We lost elevation in a hurry going down into Pia Valley.

Tramping around

Tramping around

Ryan checking out a rock structure that we came across, possibly built by Hawaiians or cattle ranchers?

Exploring

Exploring

Climbing up to see where the cave goes. Photo by Jose Delaki

Cave

Cave

Dead end.

Swimming hole

Swimming hole

One of the deeper holes that was actually filled with standing water. Looked inviting and stagnant at the same time.

Junction

Junction

We soon intersected at the washed out section where we made the initial ascent up Kulepeamoa Ridge.

Rooting

Rooting

Chris warming up for Kaupo Cliffs #4.

All pau

All pau

Walking back out to our cars.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

The fun loop hike covered a little over 5.3 miles. Post hike meal at Greek Marina. Thanks to Jasmin for bringing us freshly baked muffins and pear cranberry pie.

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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Mike April 22, 2015 at 10:33 pm

Was the brown dog in the first picture able to do the complete hike?

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kenji SAITO April 22, 2015 at 10:45 pm

Aloha Mike,
Haha, the dog wisely decided to return back to his pack.
Mahalo

Reply

Dale Yoshizu October 19, 2015 at 12:51 pm

Now know what to expect on our club hike there this coming Sunday. Hope it?s clear at the top like it was for you guys so we get a view.

Reply

kenji SAITO October 19, 2015 at 6:29 pm

Aloha Dale,
Nice hiking with you again yesterday. Yes hope it’s nice and clear for you guys. Quite the views up there!
Mahalo

Reply

Anites April 15, 2016 at 6:29 pm

Hi Kenji….can you pls. email me your GPS track for this hike? Thanks.

Reply

kenji SAITO April 17, 2016 at 7:18 am

Aloha Ani,
I emailed it to you. Have a great hike and stay safe!
Mahalo

Reply

Anites April 17, 2016 at 1:50 pm

Much mahalo Kenji. Greatly appreciate it.

Reply

frank April 27, 2016 at 10:19 am

Hi Kenji, could you please send it to me too? Thanks

Reply

kenji SAITO April 28, 2016 at 10:10 am

Aloha Frank,
I’ll try and send it out tonight as I’m having computer problems.
Mahalo

Reply

Maria Arceo April 28, 2016 at 12:07 am

Aloha Kenji. Would please send me the track for this hike? Love your blog! Thank you!

Reply

kenji SAITO April 28, 2016 at 10:11 am

Aloha Maria,
Since you love my blog, I’ll send you the tracks. Just kidding. I’ll try and send it out tonight as I’m having computer problems.
Mahalo

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