Laie to Pupukea

by kenji SAITO on April 26, 2020

Hiking Laie to Pupukea

What was supposed to have been a friend’s last section to complete the KST turned out to be just another day in the mountains. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Ferlino and myself at the Laie Falls trailhead where we also saw Allison, Anne, Art, Chris, Cisco, Janell and Tessa. Meeting hiking friends at the same hiking trails was getting to be a habit. Not a bad habit to break. Photo by Art Young.

AAA

AAA

Some of the guys helped unstuck a truck on the rocks. Just needed a lot of elbow grease. We had time to kill as somebody was running late.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Janell checking for her permit as we waited in the bushes for the straggler.

Building Permit

Building permit?

Cisco checking out the shelter just in case, but the rain forecast stated 14% probability. So we should be good. Famous last words. Photo by Anne Fai.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Heading up the heavily rutted trail that only dirt bikers can love. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

We were now in the 14% rain zone as we approached the grove of pine trees. Forgot my umbrella. Photo by Allison Banks.

Laie Falls

Laie Falls

No side trip to the falls today. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Going up through the trail that cut a swath through the thick carpet of uluhe ferns. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Allison and Janell on the trail cut into the side of the ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

The trail switching to the other side as we approached the summit. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

It was getting lonely at the top, as the rains had left us but cool winds kept us company. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Summit life. Never a dull moment. It was also Janell’s first time up here.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Group shot in the foxhole, left to right: Cisco, Allison, Ferlino, Anne, Art, myself, Janell, Chris and Tessa. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Leaving the 2,240′ summit. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST)

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Tessa heading into the wild untamed country of the Northern KST.

KST

KST

When the overgrowth is taller than you, you know it’s going to be a long day.

KST

KST

Can you spot the hikers for the loulu palm trees? Photo by Anne Fai.

KST

KST

The overgrowth was more pronounced on the sheltered Leeward side of the trail. Photo by Anne Fai.

KST

KST

Cisco going through knee high overgrowth. Photo by Art Young.

KST

KST

Pushing our way through the wispy overgrowth.

Malaekahana Junction

Malaekahana Junction

The glove was looking a little limp. Not getting enough action in the mountains.

KST

KST

Enjoying the Windward side of the trail.

Food Pantry

Food Pantry

Some people come prepared. And then you have Art. At least we won’t starve in the mountains. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

KST

Back on the trail after our short break.

KST

KST

Following the trail as it meandered through the mountains. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

The group rounding one of many bends in the trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Green Pages

Green Pages

How do you feel about this trail? Anne let her finger do the talking.

KST

KST

The group traversing the trail with the windmills pinwheeling in the background. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Tessa disappearing into the uluhe overgrowth.

Lunch time

Lunch time

It was time put a dent in those canned goods. Spreading the wealth around aka pork and beans.

KST

KST

Halfway there. The worse half of the bushwhacking was yet to come.

KST

KST

Taking pictures on the trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Where are my pictures?

KST

KST

Plunging our way through the uluhe infested corridor of strawberry guava trees.

Peek-a-BOO!

Peek-a-BOO!

I don’t know which is scarier, the uluhe or uki.

KST

KST

When you’re in over your head.

KST

KST

Taking a break from the punishing overgrowth. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

KST

Allison and Cisco up to their necks in overgrowth. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu'u Hina

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at the benchmark.

KST

KST

Heading down the trail. Photo by Anne Fai.

Ukininam!

Ukininam!

Trying to scare the COVID19 away. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Black Junction

Black Junction

The official end of the KST. Wish you could have been here Matt! Well, at least I didn’t have to carry the champagne around the whole day. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Pupukea Trail

Pupukea Trail

When a tree falls in the forest, all it does is block the trail. Photo by Anne Fai.

Pupukea Trail

Pupukea Trail

Leaving the trail to pound the pavement going back down.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Landslides are taking a toll on the military road that is slowly reverting back to Mother Nature. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Erosion at work

Erosion at work

Wait, who’s going to take our picture and why are we sitting so close to the edge? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Bike Ramp

Bike Ramp

I didn’t get enough air time. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

All pau

All pau

Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up at the end of the congested road.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our 12.9 mile hike through the most overgrown section of the KST was made bearable by the good company of friends. Post hike meal at Casa Carinio’s where we got to eat home made Chicken Papaya. Not enough to go.

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 }

annfai May 7, 2020 at 10:41 pm

Thank you kenji! Always a fun hike ..

Reply

kenji SAITO May 8, 2020 at 7:54 am

Aloha Anne,
Thanks for your loud company. Fun times!
Mahalo

Reply

Aida Gordon May 8, 2020 at 2:09 pm

Wow, I missed out on this! It’s the crew that make a memorable hike. Was laughing at some of the captions Maybe I’ll catch the next time with any repeaters.

Reply

kenji SAITO May 8, 2020 at 8:33 pm

Aloha Aida,
Thanks. Yes it’s the company that makes the hike. There’s always a next time!
Mahalo

Reply

Wahinee01 May 8, 2020 at 5:04 pm

Long fun hike. I’ll need to bring ear plugs next time coz somebody is loud. Haha! Thank you for having me on this hike Kenji.

Reply

kenji SAITO May 8, 2020 at 8:34 pm

Aloha Tessa,
Thanks. Haha, earplugs won’t deafen the noise from Anne. Always glad to have your company.
Mahalo

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