Manana Trail to Waiahole Ridge

by kenji SAITO on June 21, 2020

Hiking Manana Trail to Waiahole Ridge

We spent Father’s Day in the mountains from sunrise to sunset and then some. Anything for a good time, right?

Trailhead

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood to begin our early morning hike. Group photo left to right: Ferlino, Aida, Lilyn, myself, Art and Somphet. Photo by Jasmin Carinio.

Manana Trail

Manana Trail

Pounding the pavement for a short time. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Manana Trail

Manana Trail

Breaking out into the open flat section with the twinkling city lights behind us.

Manana Trail

Manana Trail

No benchwarmers on this hike. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Do Not Disturb

Do Not Disturb

Passing through the second set of camping tents that started by the picnic shelter.

Gentlemen first?

Gentlemen first?

Aida opening the recently installed gate which roughly marks the halfway point on the trail. Photo by Art Young.

Manana Trail

Manana Trail

Looking ahead as the ridge line undulated and narrowed to the top.

Manana Trail

Manana Trail

Rear views. Currently better than the front views.

Manana Summit

Manana Summit

Fleeting views at the 2,660′ knob. Time to move on.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Descending from the summit as we struck out towards the Northern parts of the island. The winds and clouds forced our attention on the ridge as we had no views to distract us.

KSRT

KSRT

Navigating the tricky turn in the mountains.

The Corner

The Corner

No stop at the creek for H20. We had enough liquid nourishment to last us for the day. Photo by Aida Gordon.

What would Art say?

What would Art say?

What is going on here? Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

KSRT

Keeping our hands and feet on the hilly ridge line as we approached Waiawa Gap. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Aida overlooking the Windward ridges, valleys and coastline. Photo by Somphet Chanhpheng.

Casper

Casper

Putting on my best white face in the mountains. There is no political correctness in the mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

Waiawa Gap

Dropping down to the gloved one that still lives in the mountains. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiawa Gap

Waiawa Gap

Enjoying the “country” views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

Waiawa Gap

Sliding down the soggy hill.

Waiawa Gap

Waiawa Gap

Hamming it up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

Waiawa Gap

Climbing out of the gap. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

Waiawa Gap

One shouldn’t play with sharp objects in the mountains. A lesson that would soon be unfortunately learned.

Waiawa Gap

Waiawa Gap

Enjoying the views of the ridges holding the clouds at bay.

KSRT

KSRT

What happens when you shop for your poncho at the dollar store. You need nature’s fan for an additional windbreak. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Ferlino pushing up another hill. Hills after hills.

KSRT

KSRT

Somphet savoring the rugged views. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

KSRT

Aida and Somphet coming up the ridge line with sweeping Windward views behind them. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

KSRT

Ferlino and Lilyn pushing up one of the last hills. Photo by Art Young.

Kipapa Summit

Kipapa Summit

The point where the hike transitioned from the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail to the Ko’olau Summit Trail. Tomato. Tomatoe. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST)

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Contouring to connect back to the ridge line. Photo by Somphet Chanhpheng.

Waiahole

Waiahole

Aida in the thick of the stand of Japanese Sugi Pine Trees. Photo by Art Young.

Waiahole

Waiahole

The group climbing up to the windswept and soggy summit after a brief stop at Camp Rusty.

Waiahole Summit

Waiahole Summit

Somebody was eager to start bushwhacking. Go to town young man. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Taking a hike down memory lane. It wasn’t that long ago and it wasn’t particular happy ones. Some of us are gluttons for punishment I guess. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Enjoying the cloud soaked ridge before we hit the overgrowth.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Back in the jungle. Time to start swinging. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Man down

Man down

When you swing inside instead of outside, you will need the medical attention of a retired nurse.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

All patched up and ready to resume hiking. Happy out patient.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

The views to the left of the ridge as the clouds cleared up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Working our way through the overgrowth clogged ridge line also made it painfully clear why I don’t use a hiking stick, they are more of a hindrance than a help. Sorry about losing your GoPro Ferlino! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

The views to the right of the ridge. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Aida coming down the tangled thicket of vines and uluhe ferns. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Art climbing down the first rope. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Lilyn coming down the second rope section. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Aida’s turn at climbing down the severely eroded section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Pushing our way through the thick carpet of uluhe ferns. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Waiahole Uka

Ferlino in over his head. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

Waiahole Valley

We slid off the uluhe clogged ridge and set foot in the valley of the lost or soon to be.

Waiahole Valley

Waiahole Valley

Following the trail as we made good use of the dwindling daylight.

Waiahole Valley

Waiahole Valley

We crossed the dam and then it was dam time to turn on our head lamps.

Waiahole Valley

Waiahole Valley

Climbing over, under and through patches of large blow downs. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

Waiahole Valley

Finding our way out after wandering through the valley on an extended tour. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

All pau

Walking out the road after we were subjected to an earful and then some by a certain valley inhabitant. Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up on the darkened road. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our “never learn from the first time” hike covered 11.6 miles through hostile terrain in more ways than one with a great crew. Post hike meal at Casa Carinio where we were treated to the neighbor’s laulau. Yum. Not enough to induce a kanak attack, but good enough to whet the whistle.

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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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

ferlino August 27, 2020 at 11:07 pm

I hope to get back there one more time and hoping

Reply

kenji SAITO August 28, 2020 at 1:36 am

Aloha Ferlino,
No worries, before you know it, you’ll be back here hiking with us.
Mahalo

Reply

Aida Gordon August 27, 2020 at 11:10 pm

It was great to relive such a long and epic hike through your write-up. Views were fantastic! First time I’ve learned about Waiawa Gap. Thanks for the guided tour! ????

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kenji SAITO August 28, 2020 at 1:37 am

Aloha Aida,
Thanks for the company and glad everybody got views this time around.
Mahalo

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