Laie to Black Junction (Pupukea)

by kenji SAITO on February 7, 2021

Hiking Laie to Black Junction (Pupukea)

It was time to help another friend complete the Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST). Photo by Art Young.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin and for the gate being open which resulted in us being dropped off directly at the beginning of the trail. Tessa was answering the call of nature which resulted in her missing the call of Uber, so Ferlino double backed to pick her up to complete the group.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Katie coming up the heavily eroded and rutted hills.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Ferlino at the technical start of the trail.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Going through one of multiple blowdowns that are peppered throughout the trail.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Taking a break in the shade from the sweltering sun as we waited for the rest of the group to catch up. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Laie Falls Junction

Laie Falls Junction

When the scare doesn’t go as planned. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Ferlino showing his flexibility while holding a sharp blade. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Approaching the steep cliff on the trail. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Katie making her way on the Windward side of the ridge.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Art and Ferlino ascending towards the 2,240′ summit.

Summit shenanigans

Summit shenanigans

Booty grab. Shake it like a salt shaker. Manipulate and articulate like a toy. Noon nap. Geocache.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Group gyrations at the foxhole.

Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST)

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Lilyn showing us the way. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

KST

Passing underneath scattered native palm trees. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Enjoying the trail conditions while it lasted. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

KST

Bushwhackers at work on the trail. Photo by Art Young.

KST

KST

Looking out towards the rugged Waianae Mountain Range. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

When the marker hits your olfactory senses before your visual senses. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maleakahana Junction

Maleakahana Junction

The wilted marker looks like it needs a dose of nature’s sildenafil.

KST

KST

Contouring our way through the Northern mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Tree huggers. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Picking our way on the trail that was littered with false holes and shin high branches.

Hawaiian Candy

Hawaiian Candy

Chris playing with his food. Somebody didn’t listen to their parents growing up. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

KST

Halfway there. Are we eating lunch in this mud? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lunch time

Lunch time

Trying to keep most of the noodles in the cup and less on the back pack. Not very successful, I might add. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

KST

Back to our regularly scheduled program of bushwhacking. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

KST

Taking nature’s eye test.

First aid

First aid

Despite staying away from sharp objects, somebody still got cut. Photo by Art Young.

KST

KST

Tessa testing out nature’s cushion. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Katie pushing her way through the almost constant overgrowth on the trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Lilyn looking towards the heavens to ask if we are almost there. Photo by Art Young.

KST

KST

Make way for the pinay with the machete! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu'u Hina

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at the northernmost summit on the KST, left to right: Lilyn, Quan, myself, Ferlino, Katie, Art, Tessa and Chris.

KST

KST

I want a picture too! All downhill from the 1,860′ summit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

We met Aida coming down the trail as Lilyn did a head count. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Black Junction

Black Junction

Pushing to the finish line where one cold can of Coke and a haku lei awaited. No pushing allowed. Dale, Jennifer and Narissa and two dogs, one that was somewhat over friendly were waiting for us at the sign that marked the end of the KST. I did my traditional celebratory champagne pouring after being coached into an abbreviated congratulatory speech to Katie for completing all the segments that make up the entire Ko’olau Summit Trail. Props to her for joining the KST club and finishing a major hiking accomplishment.

Black Junction

Black Junction

Group photo where not all eyeballs were focused on the same camera, left to right: Dale, Kamalani, Aida, Art, Lilyn, Tessa, myself, Hana, Katie, Jennifer, Petra (Facetime), Narissa, Ferlino, Quan and Chris.

Pupukea Trail

Pupukea Trail

Art making his way out of the forest and back to civilization.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Where the trail meets the road. Expecting another champagne dousing? Limit one per customer.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Going down the road that never seems to end. Photo by Art Young.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Who let the dogs out? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Putting in extra cardio training with our dog trainer, Hana. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Aida shedding some light at the end of the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

All pau

All pau

#14. Congratulations again to Katie for finishing the entire Ko’olau Summit Trail which spans over 52 miles from Makapu’u to Pupukea. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our epic hike with good friends covered roughly 12.3 miles through the most overgrown and densely packed section of the KST, well some thought it wasn’t that bad. Post hike meal on the road sans the cannibal chickens, that included salt and vinegar chicken wings and chilled carbonated beverages. We topped it off with a side trip to McDonald’s to scarf down shakes, McFlurry’s and saimin. Hold the French fries. Thanks to Jasmin and Narissa for the rides back to our cars.

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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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

ferlino March 2, 2021 at 2:12 am

Awesome hike! Great company, Awesome friends, beautiful views of the island.

Reply

kenji SAITO March 4, 2021 at 10:40 am

Aloha Ferlino,
Thanks for coming along.
Mahalo

Reply

Wahinee01 March 2, 2021 at 5:14 pm

Such a fun awesome group. Thank you for helping so many peeps complete their KST. You’re the man Kenji! Lol

Reply

kenji SAITO March 4, 2021 at 10:40 am

Aloha Tesssa,
Thanks for joining us on the hike!
Mahalo

Reply

Roger March 13, 2022 at 9:37 am

Any way I can join u on your hikes?

Reply

kenji SAITO March 14, 2022 at 11:04 am

Aloha Roger,
Sure, just hmu on IG/FB.
Mahalo

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