Papali Ridge to Punalu’u Valley

I met up with Gen, Glenn, Jose and Justin to do some exploring on the North Shore. Photo by Justin Hirako.

We passed the revolving graffiti wall on our way to the Ma’akua Ridge Trail.

The sun breaking over the town of Hauula.

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

We left the loop trail and headed up the ridge.

There were no rope and no log. What the heck is this thing?

The trail started like a typical ridge hike, multiple short ups …

… and downs.

The trail was surprisingly clear. The uluhell was only ankle high. Ankle biters.

Spoke too soon. Glenn wading through waist high uluhell.

Looking back at the coastal communities of Hauula, Laie and Kahuku.

Group photo at the Papali junction. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Gen munching on uki grass. A good source of dietary fiber.

Justin approaching the saddle.

Ferns and fungus growing out of a fallen tree.

Dirty yoga. Wrong in so many ways. Photos by Justin Hirako.

The ridge became a steady chore going up.

Justin and Glenn making their way up.

We soon noticed a fresh looking cut trail going down into the valley.

Glenn sucking down the mustard like there’s no tomorrow to combat his cramps.

A sign pointed to the trail we had just been checking out from the top of the ridge.

The trail looked like it had been recently cleared. Lucky us.

A lonely tree shorn of its leaves.

The trail switch backed through a forest of moss covered trees.

One had no faith. One went blindly. One went with eyes wide open.

Gen and Jose checking out the stream below the trail.

White hibiscus lined the banks of the stream.

Group photo by Justin Hirako.

We dumped our packs and decided to do some exploring.

Glenn rock hopping down the stream.

What’s around the corner?

Waterfall! Photo by Justin Hirako.

Helicopters frequently buzzed the valley during our short stay. We waved. They waved back.

Noticed a couple of old rappelling anchors at the top. No ropes. No rappel.

We contoured our way down to the base of the waterfall. Group photo by Justin Hirako. Hey, where did the other two go?

If only we had more time to explore downstream.

We made our way back upstream to find Jose sleeping soundly on a rock. Photo by Justin Hirako.

We refilled our camelbacks from the stream and picked up the trail on the opposite side of the banks.

Stopped to check out the site of a future cabin? Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Leaving the stream behind us.

Looking out towards the ocean.

I can’t go any higher. Something might rip. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Justin squeezed through horizontally and vertically. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Click here for the larger image.

The trail was completely overgrown with towering pink fringe flower vines. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Going under and around strawberry guava trees. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Heading down into Punalu’u Valley. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Some overgrown sections were so thick that we had to crawl on our hands and knees.

Justin used sheer momentum and mass to break through.

Passing underneath a tangled thicket of tree branches. Luckily we didn’t have to go through them.

Between a hard rock wall and a drop off. Walk carefully.

Looked like a section of the original trail got closed down. Possibly due to a landslide?

Gen going down the detour trail.

The detour trail soon dropped us back to the switchbacks.

We followed the sign that pointed to a road further down. Talk about taking a spur ridge down instead, dissipated with the fact that darkness would soon cover us and we didn’t know the lay of the land.

Gen wading through head high uluhell.

Flower girl.

Glenn making his way under and over thickets of tree branches. That road can’t come soon enough.

We made our way down off the ridge, passed through the valley populated with farms and palatial houses until we popped out on the road. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Our hiking mileage varied, depending on whose tracking app you asked, 9.85 or 11.01 miles. Either way, it was quite an epic day hiking in the mountains with a fun crew. We even had a “valet” that was watching our truck. Glenn gave him some cash and a job referral for his “troubles.” Post hike meal at Zippy’s.

Tagged as: cabin, hauula, kahana valley, kaluanui stream, kst, maakua ridge trail, papali ridge, punaluu valley, sacred falls, upper kaliuwaa stream, waterfalls