I joined Matt for a hike in his backyard today.
Trailhead
Nobody else showed up at the appointed time, so we pushed off into the farmlands.
Swing
Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that give you the most happiness. But this is not one of them. LOL.
Kunia
Going up the trail littered with forest detritus.
Honouliuli Contour Trail
Briefly setting foot on the graded trail …
Spur Ridge
… before heading up the spur ridge.
Scenic spot
Looking through the forest canopy across Wahiawa to the lagoon harbor and the iconic symbol of Hawaii.
Saddle
Battling the overgrowth as we descended to the low point on the ridge.
Uluhell
What hike in Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without the clawing and scratching staghorn ferns?
Destination
We could see the mountain for the overgrowth.
Two-Minute Mark
No turning back now.
Spur Ridge
A short scramble was all that separated us from …
Waianae Summit Trail (WST)
… the washed out area just shy of the summit of Kanehoa.
WST
Matt decided to keep me company on the way to Kolekole Pass.
WST
Looking back at missed opportunities.
WST
Did we miss the trail?
WST
Matt contouring his way around the ridge line.
WST
Looking back at the exposed grey rock edifice sticking out like a sore thumb amidst all the green overgrowth.
WST
Following the fence line. Photo by Matt Sorenson.
A-OK
No complaining back here.
WST
Fences for daze. Photo by Matt Sorenson.
WST
Passing showers, not enough to melt.
WST
Clouds on the left and windmills on the right. Photo by Matt Sorenson.
Lualualei Valley
Looking back at the largest coastal plain that also has the tallest man made structures as well.
Pu’u Hapapa
Standing on the 2,883′ squared summit.
Washout
The quickest but highly not recommended way down to Wahiawa. Photo by Matt Sorenson.
Hapapa Trail
I always particularly liked the panoramic vista that this approach offered when dropping down from Pu’u Hapapa. Photo by Matt Sorenson.
Hapapa Trail
Matt making his way down the ridge.
Notch
Climbing down the shallower and smaller cut in the ridge. Photo by Matt Sorenson.
Notch
Matt making his way down the deeper and bigger incision in the ridge.
The Gap
Feeling small, insignificant and full of wonder.
Hapapa Trail
Matt coming down the corridor of paperbark trees.
Hapapa Trail
Overlooking the ridges, valleys and coastline.
Meadows
Soaking in the views one last time. Photo by Matt Sorenson.
Kolekole Pass Stone
Dead tired. Don’t take it literally.
Instafamous
“You’re Matt? I follow you on IG!”
All pau
Our hike through the Waianae Mountains covered 5.4 miles through rugged terrain and raw scenery. Thanks again to Matt for showing me his “backyard.” Shout out to Mia for picking us up at the lowest point in the mountain range. Post hike meal at Popeye’s Chicken.
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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