Poamoho to Pupukea

by kenji SAITO on February 23, 2019

Hiking Poamoho to Pupukea

We spent the weekend in the mountains where the country is still country.

Poamoho Road

Poamoho Road

Thanks to Lopaka for taking Charlie, Chris, Ferlino and myself up the dark and bumpy road.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Halfway to the summit, we kept moving as the clear summit was slowly turning cloudy.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Looking at the line of clouds across the skyline.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Heading into the misty gulch. Photo by Charlie Antonio.

Poamoho Stream

Poamoho Stream

Jumping the stream, which signaled that the summit was a mere 10 minutes away. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Cline Memorial

Cline Memorial

Only 12.7 miles more to go! Photo by Chris Bautista.

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

We had to use our imagination to visualize the jaw dropping scenery behind us.

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

No views at the 2,520′ summit, so we had to keep ourselves easily amused. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST)

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Leaving the fun and games behind us. We had more fun and games ahead of us, otherwise known as mud. Deep mud.

KST

KST

Charlie and Ferlino making their way down the outer fence that soon joined up with the inner fence.

Boot Junction

Boot Junction

Arriving at the iconic boot and sign, which begs the question. Who left it here?

Fence Meadow

Fence Meadow

Crossing the cloud soaked meadows where somebody’s house was not in order.

KST

KST

Hugging the edge of the fenced cliff.

Kaluanui

Kaluanui

Paying close attention to the fence and not so much the sign.

Mud trail

Mud trail

Did I mention fun and games were involved?

Junction

Junction

Chris took Charlie and followed the fence line to the cabin, while Ferlino and myself took leave of the fence and went down the rabbit hole.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

The cabin with the best views on this side of the range. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

KST

Ferlino coming out of the rabbit hole and crossing over to another fence line.

Rabbit Hole

Rabbit Hole

Follow the arrow. Photo by Charlie Antonio.

Piggy Smalls

Piggy Smalls

What big teeth you have.

Papali Junction

Papali Junction

Group photo left to right: Ferlino, Charlie, Chris and myself.

KST

KST

We left the fence line for a spell as we headed out into the open country. Keep the country country.

Deja vu

Deja vu

Let’s not see this again shall we?

KST

KST

Hanging out with the suspended roots.

KST

KST

Standing on the rock that normally offers expansive views of the WST. It was closed today. Instead we checked out the stack of rat traps. No fresh catches. Thankfully we weren’t hungry at the time. Photo by Charlie Antonio.

KST

KST

Charlie and Ferlino climbing in and out of the deep hole on the trail.

KST

KST

Back on the fence line. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

We discovered with baited breath that the cabin was back open for business.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Luckily Plan B was just for show and not for real.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

The cabin log was back. Free facials by Ferlino. Pedicure by fire and sharp edges. Playing Pepito. Eating hot food. Cabin life doesn’t get much better than this.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Trying to catch the sunrise before turning in for the night. No such luck. Photo by Chris Bautista

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Thank you for the hospitality. May you remain open for many more years to come.

Koloa Outhouse

Koloa Outhouse

Some of us had our morning constitutionals before our departure. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Fence line

Fence line

It’s always good to see a familiar face in the morning.

KST

KST

Dashing through the mud in a clean pair of shoes, o’er the trails we go, laughing all the way. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

KST

The fence soon gave way to chest high overgrowth, while the mud decided to stick around.

KST

KST

Making our way across the bowl shaped depression. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

360 degree views at the 2,240′ foxhole summit.

KST

KST

We were initially elated as it appeared that the trail was freshly cut from the summit.

KST

KST

The elation soon evaporated as we realized it was too good to last.

KST

KST

Can you spot the hiker for the forest?

KST

KST

Passing through a stand of trees that were densely packed with moss. It was quite inviting to sit on. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

KST

It would seem that this busy bee took a shine to my glove, perhaps mistaking it for a source of pollen.

Malaekahana Junction

Malaekahana Junction

Maybe in time, Chris’s glove will prove to be just as enduring as the boot.

KST

KST

Seemingly making our way towards the churning windmills in Kahuku. Optical illusion. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Looking back at the coastal town of Laie. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Winding our way through the mountains.

KST

KST

Popping in and out of the overgrowth. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Pushing our way through the overgrowth.

KST

KST

Halfway there. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Hey, wait a minute! Didn’t you say that was bad for your teeth? Photo by Charlie Antonio.

KST

KST

Chris getting lost in the bushes.

KST

KST

Getting constantly whacked by the bony branches was not high on the fun list. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Much to our surprise, the last push to the summit was surprisingly cleared.

Pu'u Hina

Pu’u Hina

Taking a well deserved break after the bruising battle with all the overgrowth.

KST

KST

Leaving the summit with a last view of the Waianae Mountain Range. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

KST

Charlie and Ferlino making their way down the highway of a trail.

Black Junction

Black Junction

Group photo at the end of the most overgrown and muddiest section of the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

KST

KST

This must be the way home. It can’t come soon enough.

KST

KST

Going down the graded and downhill trail. What a treat.

KST

KST

I’m guessing circumcised. Fresh cut. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Leaving the trail for the road; that was strewn with rubble, trees and suffering severe erosion.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Where was this curbing during the muddy sections of the trail? Photo by Chris Bautista.

All pau

All pau

Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up at the end of Pupukea and bringing us cold cans of Pepsi. Post hike meal at Haleiwa Joe’s where the wait was so long that the turf ran out and I ended up eating the surf. Great weekend spent with a bunch of good guys. Photo by Charlie Antonio.

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 March 9, 2019 at 11:53 pm

Thank you for such great adventure. Long and lushy muddy trail I sang in my head as we head to Pupukea summit.

Reply

kenji SAITO March 10, 2019 at 5:48 am

Aloha Ferlino,
Thanks for coming, always more the merrier! Only one more section left for you!
Mahalo

Reply

Charlie March 15, 2019 at 11:55 am

Thanks a lot for inviting me.. see you again in next hiking
Kenji Saito is the best hikers…

Reply

kenji SAITO March 16, 2019 at 8:03 am

Aloha Charlie,
Thanks for coming and the great company! We should do it again.
Mahalo

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