Manana to Waimano

Met up with Aida, Akira, Chico, Roger, and Scott who kept me company in the mountains as I continued to connect the dots ad nauseam.

Trailhead

We all showed up before the crying cats to start our early morning hike. Hey, where’s Chico?

Manana Trail

Passing multiple tents camped out by the picnic shelter.

Manana Trail

Akira going underneath the Manana Arch.

Manana Trail

Caught the breaking sunrise as we crested a false peak.

Manana Trail

Going through the gate that marked 3.5 miles covered on the trail. Only two more miles left!

Manana Trail

We soon noticed a green-yellow shirted figure in the distance steadily catching up to us under a rainbow. Turned out it was none other than Chico the man! He had forgotten his shoes on the way to the trail and had to turn around to go back home to get them. He erased a one hour deficit to catch up with us. Talk about somebody that was highly motivated.

Manana Summit

Group photo at the 2,660′ cloud screened summit.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Descending off the massive knob as we made our way down the ridge line where sweeping Windward views opened up.

KSRT

The photographer being photographed who in turn was being photographed. Say that real quick three times in a row.

Eleao Meadow

Following the fence line as we traversed across one of many grassy fields that are scattered throughout the mountains.

KSRT

Adventure awaits. Just have to open the gate.

KSRT

Why walk when you can slide down? Just missing the cardboard boxes.

KSRT

Somebody take my picture.

KSRT

Aida and Roger making their way on the narrow strip of real estate masked by heavy vegetation and false holes.

KSRT

Making our way on the undulating ridge line. Up. Down. Up. Down.

KSRT

Scrambling up the last hill. Promise?

KSRT

Pointing out the landslide that is much harder to see coming from our direction.

Waimano Sumit

Group photo at the saddle summit at 2,160′ elevation with sweeping views of Waihe’e Valley bordered by Eleao Windward and Kalahaku Teeth.

Waimano Trail

Stepping foot on the best preserved trail built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s per Stuart Ball, noted hiking author.

Waimano Trail

Man down!

Waimano Trail

Another man down! Hope this doesn’t become a habit on this trail.

Waimano Trail

Picking our way through one of many landslides that dotted the trail.

Waimano Trail

Switch backing our way down the trail, where we soon ran across a solitary figure clearing the trail and a family training for the Kalalau Trail.

Waimano Trail

Crossing Waimano Stream where we soon ascended to the cliffs overlooking the stream. It was around this point that Nate Yuen slipped and fell to his death on August 8, 2022. He was a very accomplished and experienced hiker and photographer in the hiking community. I only hiked with him a couple times but he always struck me as friendly and informative. Gone too soon.

Waimano Trail

We were missing somebody again.

Waimano Trail

Descending through a grove of eucalyptus trees where Tessa lay in wait for us.

Waimano Trail

Climbing and contouring over one of many irrigation tunnels on the trail.

All pau

Exiting the trail which seemed to go on forever, where Tessa shuttled us back to our cars. Much mahalos!

GPS Tracks

Our blink and you’ll miss it KST traversal that was connected by my least two favorite ridges covered 12.6 miles that was made bearable by good company. Post hike meal at Little Joe’s Steakhouse. Happy Hour translated to cheaper prices offset by slow service and less food choices. Somebody needed to take a doggy bag home otherwise they might end up in the dog house.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Roger Schiffman, Scott Peterson, 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: eleao meadow, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, manana summit, manana trail, waimano summit, waimano trail