Poamoho to Laie Trail

by kenji SAITO on February 22, 2020

Hiking Poamoho to Laie Trail

It was time for another camping weekend in the mountains. Thanks to Caroline for dropping Katie, Lilyn and myself off at the trailhead where we met up with Agnes, Allison, Anne and Matt, but not before taking care of bathroom breaks and morning coffee fixes. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Poamoho Gate

Poamoho Gate

A big mahalo to Lonnie and Stacy for driving us up the jeep road to the trailhead, where the weather conditions looked promising. False promises.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Group photo at the rainy start to our hike, left to right: Agnes, Lilyn, Matt, Allison, myself, Anne and Katie.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Threading our way through the barricade designed to filter only two legged hikers onto the trail.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

The group traversing the graded trail which interrupted the wall of cascading uluhe ferns.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Katie explaining where the rain comes from.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Catching nothing but rain drops today. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

The group going up the muddy rutted trail.

Cline Memorial

Cline Memorial

Hunkered below the rock memorial from the sweeping rain storm. We all passed on visiting the scenic-less summit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Snail Habitat

Snail Habitat

Looking for native escargot and finding none. Photo by Allison Banks.

Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST)

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Stepping foot on the Northern section of the KST. Keep the country country.

KST

KST

Allison going over the land slide. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Working our way back to the fence line.

KST

KST

The hills have fences. For daze. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Some in the group went left and some went right. We all ended up at the same place.

KST

KST

Fast forward to a couple hours where Chris and Lee got dropped off and hiked up to meet us and were blessed with scenic mountain views. What a difference that a couple hours makes. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

KST

Where there’s a glove, the boot can’t be far off. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Boot Junction

Boot Junction

Group shot at the iconic boot junction. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Fence Meadows

Fence Meadows

Matt crossing the spongy meadow to get to the other fence line.

KST

KST

Dropping down into the gully. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Matt standing near the top of the trickling waterfall. Photo by Anne Fai.

Kaluanui Reserve

Kaluanui Reserve

Entering the first established Natural Area Reserve in the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Anne Fai.

Mud Pits

Mud Pits

Clinging to the fence line to avoid the mud. An exercise in futility for the most part.

Sock Stake

Sock Stake

Is that a dirty sock on the stake or are you just glad to see me? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Mud Pits

Mud Pits

Plunging through the shin deep mud, at least it wasn’t waist deep like a couple years ago. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Mud Pits

Mud Pits

Allison embracing the mud. Nowhere to run. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Trail

The goat skull says to go that way. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

Allison approaching the only cabin on the KST with mountain views. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Wash Day

Wash Day

Draining the water from the 55 gallon catchment to wash our muddy shoes and pants. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Green Mangoes and Bagoong

Green Mangoes and Bagoong

Everybody except one liked the green mangoes with fish sauce. Guess who?

Slippah Repair

Slippah Repair

It is true. Duct tape can fix anything! Photo by Katie Bingham.

Mountain Yoga

Mountain Yoga

Limbering our bodies up for what was to come.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

Synchronized shaka’s. Harder than it sounds. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

Drone photos by Matt Vidaurri.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

Group photo as we decided what to do next with all the time we had on our hands. My return to childhood memories was dashed when Katie tossed the recently found squirt gun in the bushes. Killjoy and stick in the mud. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Stupid Human Tricks

Stupid Human Tricks

Finding our 15 minutes of meaningless fame in the mountains.

Standing Broom Challenge

Standing Broom Challenge

It works without the handle too. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Army Cabin

Army Cabin

I hear you knocking but you can’t come in. Chris and Lee crashing the cabin party.

Wash Day

Wash Day

Clothes and shoes hanging out to dry. Wet dry. Photo by Allison Banks.

Cabin Cuisine

Cabin Cuisine

Carrying the oxtail soup up the mountains paid off with a delicious hot dinner. Sides of rice, eggs, mountain house, tuna and ramen. Washed down with hard liquor, soda and water.

Sunset

Sunset

Enjoying the twinkling city lights before turning in to the snoring sounds from the animal zoo. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Sunrise

Sunrise

Waking up to the cloud soaked hills in the distance with a slight chill in the air. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

Group photo as we left our cabin lodgings, left to right: Lilyn, Katie, Matt, Anne, Allison, Agnes, myself, Lee and Chris.

Mud Pits

Mud Pits

Chris enjoying his early morning mud bath. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST Junction

KST Junction

The wooden sign was back where it rightfully belonged, thanks to Chris for zip tying it to the post. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST Junction

KST Junction

Crossing the mud soaked trail that was interrupted by the gated fence line. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

KST

Following the fence line as it cut through the mountains. Photo by Anne Fai.

Papali Summit

Papali Summit

We took a short break at the sign-less summit.

KST

KST

Enjoying the scenic view of the Waianae Mountains. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Little Red Riding Hiker

Little Red Riding Hiker

And what big hands you have! The better to shaka you with! Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Meandering in the mountains. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

KST

The group passing through one of many meadows in the mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Brokeback Mountain

When the overgrowth is so thick and punishing, that you need the combined weight of two bodies to push through. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

KST

Agnes against the backdrop of the slowly rotating windmills. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Time for a photo break. Sponsored by Akamai Services. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

KST

She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes.

Lechon

Lechon

When pigs fly. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Mountain Gym

Mountain Gym

Chris sparring with the mossy double end bag. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Making our way through the convoluted terrain of the KST. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Holding hands and singing Kumbaya on the scenic rock. I don’t know about the singing part. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Lilyn climbing her way back to the trail after she took a slight detour.

KST

KST

Colorful hikers spread out on the trail.

KST

KST

The group climbing in and out of the notch.

KST

KST

We’re almost there! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

The group meeting up with the fence again.

KST

KST

Taking the short cut to the cabin. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Dropping down to the cabin.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

A short stay at the most spacious cabin on the KST.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Group photo by Agnes Bryant on the cabin porch deck.

KST

KST

Leaving the cabin for muddier trails.

Mud Pits

Mud Pits

When you just can’t get enough of the mud, you go back for a second helping. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Going down the steep hill where the fence came in handy. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

KST

Enjoying the scenic views on our way down. Photo by Allison Banks.

KST

KST

Leaving the fence line behind us. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

KST

Where’s that fence when you need it?

KST

KST

The group crossing the bowl shaped depression. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

KST

Following the trail to the summit. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Chris-in-the-box

Chris-in-the-box

Agnes and Allison getting scared on the way to the 2,240′ summit. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Summit Shenanigans

Summit Shenanigans

Stupid Human Tricks Day 2. We needed more than our allocated 15 minutes of fame.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

The group showing their “L” for the mountains. Anybody’s guess as to what “L” represents? Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Leaving the summit as we started down the six mile trail.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Katie at a scenic spot overlooking the towns of Kahuku and Laie.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Falling head over heels off the trail. The main thing is not losing the two phones in my pocket. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

We are hangry. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trail snacks

Trail snacks

Chris fired up his Jet Boil to cook up the remaining ramen packs. When you don’t have a fork to slurp down the noodles, a toothbrush will do. And you can brush your teeth right after eating. Killing two bird with one stone.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Allison making her way down the mostly graded trail. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Laie Falls Junction

Laie Falls Junction

No side visit to the refreshing pool today.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Ducking our way underneath one of several blowdowns on the trail.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Passing through the grove of pine trees. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Trail

Laie Trail

Making our way down the eroded red dirt road.

All pau

All pau

Walking out to Matt’s staged truck and other rides that had come to collect the group. Our 23 plus mile hike was filled with mud, overgrowth and fun times with good friends. Memories to last a lifetime or at least for the weekend. Post hike meal at Haleiwa Joe’s where we were promised prime rib and had to settle for steak instead. Life is hard. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our fun weekend hike.

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.

Leave a Comment

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Heidi July 10, 2021 at 11:07 pm

Aloha,

I’ve read in many of your trail posts about multiple cabins: Poamoho, Koloa, Opae’ula, and Army cabin. I know the locations of the first three, but I can’t seem to find a reference to the Army cabin anywhere else online. Are you using the name Army cabin to refer to one of the other ones, or is there another one you’ve called army cabin distinct from these three? If so, where is it? Mahalo!

– Heidi

Reply

kenji SAITO July 12, 2021 at 12:20 pm

Aloha Heidi,
Army Cabin and Opae’ula Cabin are one and the same. Hope this clears up the confusion.
Mahalo

Reply

Heidi July 14, 2021 at 11:02 pm

Mucho Mahalos Kenji!

Now that I have you on this thread, forgive me but I can’t help but asking you– are there any other wilderness cabins aside from these four? Feel free to email me directly if you’d like. I’m born’n’raised on O’ahu and have explored the back country on other islands extensively but not so much on O’ahu… and I only recently heard about these cabins from a friend who works for dlnr…

Anywho, I hope we cross paths at some point.

Mahalo!

Heidi

Reply

Heidi July 14, 2021 at 11:03 pm

Whoops, meant to add that I’m aware of Ohikilolo as well. <3

Reply

kenji SAITO July 16, 2021 at 7:33 pm

Aloha Heidi,
I emailed you and hope to meet you on the trails one day as well.
Mahalo

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