Landslide Falls

Forecasted heavy rains scuttled my camping plans, so it was off to explore a “trail” that appeared after the heavy rains.

We all met up and parked outside the protected coastline that are home to sand dunes, sea arch and caves, and native plants and wildlife.

Passing several mass wastings that were triggered by the recent rainfalls. A certain inquiring mind wondered if any one of these newly minted stripped paths were stable enough to follow up to the mountain. Only one way to find out.

We picked the “easiest” looking one and started bushwhacking through the chest high overgrowth.

Looking back to discover that we had missed an easier path. Missed it by that much. Oh well.

Kenny climbing up a waterfall? Not again.

It’s staggering to think how much rainfall kinetic energy was released during the Kona lows to trigger the sediment movement that pushed boulders, trees and everything in its path down the side of the mountain.

Following the trickling stream as we steadily climbed up the “trail.”

Tessa standing next to a pretty poor representation of a waterfall. Where are those thunderstorms that were predicted to hit this area? Lie Hagi strikes again. No complaints from the peanut gallery.

Edgar and Aida making their way up the “trail.” Whose ideas was this?

Now would be a good time to go to the bathroom. There may be a slight color variation.

Tessa going up the “stairway” as we steadily advanced up the “trail.”

When good intentions are canceled out by the grinding pressure on ones hand as it’s pressed against unyielding rock.

Glad somebody brought webbing on today’s hike. Thanks Dale.

Well, that rock isn’t going to roll by itself.

Dale and Akira climbing and contouring another trickling stream.

The group inching their way up the steep hill as we passed the start of the landslide.

Looking towards the sprawling 153 acres that is home to the remote tracking station of the US Space Force.

Ani and Aida climbing towards the top as rolling clouds intermittently masked the area.

Kenny and Tessa taking photos of their Japanese imports, Minilla and Monchichi, monster and monkey.

Group photo on a rock perch that wasn’t meant to hold eight people.

Our view of the coastline from our roughly 980′ elevation point.

Car check to make sure the morning chronic wasn’t cruising around again.

Passing through the treeline where we came across a campfire pit in the mountains. Remember … Only YOU can prevent forest fires. Where was Smokey the Bear when you need him?

The original plan was to go down the Manini Pali trail. That was the plan. Plans change.

Approaching another waterfall in the distance.

We’ll be coming ’round the mountain. We’ll be slipping on six big rocks and then some.

Looking for the trail down.

This must be the trail. Manini Pali trail?

Looking at one of the spur ridges dropping away from the mountain as we scrambled our way down.

Is this the way down?

Descending down the trail of least resistance or most resistance?

Akira watching the group climbing down the cliffs.

Dale, Tessa and Edgar climbing down the rocks.

I don’t think this is the Manini Pali Trail.

Dale showing the rest of the group how it’s done.

Cave views.

Aida checking out the footing as she climbs down a hike she later characterized as harder than Witch’s Hat.

Tessa dropping down the roughly 10′ drop. Not much unless you got short legs.

This part is kind of tricky (Japanese accent).

Kenny assisting the rest of the group as we hugged the cliff.

The group soon traded unstable terrain for more unstable terrain.

We are pourin’ like an avalanche comin’ down the mountain. We don’t mind the rain sometimes. Name that paraphrased song from the late 90s.

The group soon met up with the road again.

Dale sitting pretty in a field of sunflowers on our way out and back to our cars.

Our rolling stones gathers no moss hike covered 2.34 miles through unstable terrain and cloud soaked mountains with an extra pinch of excitement to keep it just right with good friends.

Post hike meal in the former sugar plantation town where we had pizza and some would say one of the better burgers at Jerry’s Pizza Mill. Move over Shige’s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCQR1p4rnD8

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our landslide falls hike.

Photos/Crew taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Ani Lagpacan, Dale Yoshizu, Edgar Gamiao, Kenny Lui, Tessa Bugay, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Tagged as: kaena point state park, mokuleia, waialua