Laie Trail to Poamoho Trail

by kenji SAITO on November 14, 2015

Hiking Laie Trail to Poamoho Trail

Rainy weather diverted us from one section of the Ko’olaus to another section. That’s how Gen, Jose, Justin, Thessa and myself found ourselves in Laie. Thanks to Matt who woke up early to ferry us to the other side. For naught. Back to sleep.

Morning yoga

Morning yoga

We had some time to join together as we waited for Thessa.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Bodily functions taken care of. Alcohol transferred. Ready to hike. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Panoramic view

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Pine trees

Pine trees

Norfolk or Cook Pine – Which is it?

Strawberry guava trees

Strawberry guava trees

Leaving the shaded corridors of pine and strawberry guava trees and mud behind.

Laie Falls

Laie Falls

Passing the swimming hole and twin waterfalls fed by Kahawainui Stream.

Trail

Trail

The rest of the hike to the summit was on a graded trail through native forest.

Fire in the hole

Fire in the hole

These trenches were dug back in WW2 and were to be filled with explosives to block the trail, in case of a Japanese land invasion.

Laie trail

Laie trail

The Wahiawa Camp of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) finished Wailele Trail in 1935. After WW2, the trail became known as the Laie Trail.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Thessa, Gen, myself, Justin and Jose.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Another group photo at the windy 2,240′ top looking out towards the Waianae Mountain Range.

Big Island Boy

Big Island Boy

I don’t smoke … ( pause ) … tobacco.

Trail

Trail

Talk of past and desired relationships forced us off the summit and back on the trail.

Trail

Trail

The crew climbing out of the bowl shaped depression.

Fence line

Fence line

Our first contact with the infamous KST fence. Love it or hate it.

Fence line

Fence line

The fence soon lead us straight to the cabin. Just like bread crumbs.

Outhouse

Outhouse

I smell no sh*t. I see no sh*t. It was pretty nasty. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Justin opening the door to his first cabin visit. His cabin cherry was broken.

Cabin life

Cabin life

Our original plan was to push towards the Army Cabin and overnight there. Given the distance left and the looming rain clouds, we decided to stay put. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Cabin fever

Cabin fever

Birthday cupcake. Is that a spam musubi in your underwear or are you just glad to see me? Abused animated characters. Well at least one was abused.

Cabin idol

Cabin idol

Somebody please take Kikaida and Mickey Mouse away from them! Just blame the alcohol laced hot chocolate.

Cabin mouse

Cabin mouse

“Twas the rainy and windy night on the Ko’olaus, when all through the cabin; rustling space blankets were stirring under snug and restless hikers; when there arose such a calamitous clatter, as our collective slumber was pierced by riotous screaming and a body falling; I struggled from my bunk to see what was the matter; a f*cking mouse pitter – pattered by my face was the colorful expletive that was offered.

Goodbye cabin

Goodbye cabin

Group photo of us checking out from the best KST cabin.

Hello sunrise

Hello sunrise

It was a chilly morning to catch the cloudy sunrise. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Trail

Making our way on the Windward side of the trail.

Scenic rock

Scenic rock

Sometimes you just have to stop and soak in the Leeward views. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Trail

Switching back to the Windward side.

Mud circle

Mud circle

Taking stock of our muddy footwear. The worst was yet to come.

Trail

Trail

Crossing over to the sheltered and overgrown Leeward side.

Trail

Trail

Switching back to the Windward side. Back and forth. Up and down.

Koolau Range lobelia

Koolau Range lobelia

Glimpse of a rare native plant in bloom.

Trail

Trail

Passing through a small stand of native loulou palm trees.

Trail

Trail

Burrowing through some overgrowth.

Papali junction

Papali junction

Let’s take a break, shall we?

Spartan Mud Race II

Spartan Mud Race II

When push comes to shove. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Trail

Back on the fence line again.

Mud

Mud

Knee deep. Not that bad.

Junction

Junction

Left? Right? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Mud

Mud

Waist deep. Seriously? Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Trail

Trail

We soon approached the wooden cabin, that had mountain views and a kitchen sink!

Cabin life

Cabin life

Hello and goodbye. Photos by Justin Hirako.

Opaeula Cabin

Opaeula Cabin

We left the cabin behind along with Gen and Jose who decided to stay another night in the mountains.

Mud

Mud

Justin wanted to see for himself if the mud was really that deep. It was.

Trail

Trail

Back on the KST.

Trail

Trail

Goodwill was alive and well in the mountains. Need a spare glove?

Trail

Trail

Justin and Thessa making their way along the fence line.

Trail

Trail

Looking ahead as the fence line wrapped around the ridge and disappeared into the clouds.

Trail

Trail

Justin and Thessa making their way across the open field to re-connect to the KST.

Boot Junction

Boot Junction

Watching the clouds rolling into the mountains. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Trail

Pu’u Ohulehule rising from the floor of Kahana Valley.

KST

KST

Looking out towards the contour trail carved below the ridgeline of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Shaka

Shaka

Sharing some aloha on the trail. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Trail

Are we there yet? Not quite.

Cabin interruptus

Cabin interruptus

We met Dave Fahrenwald who had hiked in from Poamoho and was headed towards the Army Cabin. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Wind gauge

Wind gauge

Passing the wind gauge station. We picked up our pace as we knew the summit was close.

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako at the 2,520′ summit. Hey, we actually got a view!

Trail

Trail

Time and weather did not look favorable for a cabin visit, so we headed down the muddy trail.

Got mail?

Got mail?

No mail for hikers, just hunters.

End of unmaintained trail

End of unmaintained trail

All smiles now. The rest of the trail was graded and downhill. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Trail

Justin trotting down the trail.

Sunset

Sunset

Photo by Justin Hirako.

Poamoho trailhead

Poamoho trailhead

Trail meets road. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Ribbit

Ribbit

If I kiss you, will you turn into a 4×4?

Rainy road

Rainy road

What’s better than walking down a six mile jeep road? In the dark. In pouring rain. Yeah. That’s the ticket. The one way ticket.

All pau

All pau

Shout out to Chris Bautista who picked us up and drove us to Laie and Moanalua Valley to retrieve our cars. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. Justin appreciated the extra wait for his food. Made it more tasty.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

The two day cabin hike covered 23.05 miles over and through the rugged and wild Northern Ko’olaus. Fantastic fun filled weekend with great friends.

Leave a Comment

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Rob Adams December 30, 2016 at 8:15 pm

Kenji,

Can you give me some info on the Koloa Cabin? Is it free to stay? BTW, I love your posts bro….

Rob

Reply

kenji SAITO December 31, 2016 at 7:25 pm

Aloha Rob,
Thanks. Koloa Cabin from what I understand is run by the OARNP, so it’s primary use is for the workers out on the trails. However, I know hikers use it when it’s not being used. But I heard it’s now boarded and closed due to rats. Sorry.
Mahalo

Reply

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