Poamoho Trail to Papali Ridge

Met up with Ferlino, Mia and Shirley to salvage what we could from the originally planned camping weekend.

Ferlino opening the gate to where the cows sometimes stray from their barbed wire pastures and hunters roam the land looking for smaller sized ungulates.

Thanks to Brian for the tailgate ride to the top and the impromptu social mixer with the hunters. Always awkward to meet irate individuals with guns and dogs. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Starting at the trail that prohibits two wheeled modes of transportation, but permits two legged means of transportation.

Heading up the graded trail that cut a swath through the vegetation cascading down the mountain. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

The summit beckoned us with clear and inviting skies as we picked up the pace to make it there in under 90 minutes.

Hiking in unmaintained territory, with nothing but the fence line to keep us on track.

Wait, don’t push me yet! Photo by Shirley.

Heading into the gully. Almost there.

Looking at this photo, would one think: a) Mia was asking Shirley for a hand to cross the dry streambed or b) passing her iPhone to get that perfect shot? Choose wisely, grasshopper. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Heading to the summit where it’s usually a hit or miss in regards to the views. Today was going to be a home run.

Stunningly clear day at the 2,520′ summit with panoramic views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys. Words can’t describe it and pictures just scratch the surface.

Ferlino got arm blocked in our group photo.

Some of us tried to look heroic …

… while others could stand to lose seven pounds. Wait, did I get my captions mixed up? Photo and pose credit by Shirley.

We ended the photoshoot as we had squandered our early lead at the scenic swept summit and headed out to fenced pastures.

Leaving the fenced trail as we set foot on the historic trail carved out of the mountains back in the 1930’s. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Contouring our way around the ridge line and the small pockets of land slides.

Ferlino climbing over the locked gate. We are not illegals.

Working our way back to the fence line, an ubiquitous sight in the mountains.

Hiking our way across the rugged Northern Ko’olau Mountains.

Shirley attempting to prove that her head is not that big. The fence failed to validate her claim.

Looking out towards the strikingly clear Waianae Mountain Range.

We are not turning simple, well most of us that is. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Leaving one side of the fence for another side of the fence.

Crossing the spongy ground. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Synchronized fence climbing against the valley backdrop.

We can see the cabin for the mountains.

Following the fence line as it wrapped around the valley.

When you have to let your 7,126 followers know of your sprained ankle that was compressed with medical tape and webbing. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Somebody was blocking the stunning views. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Paying too much attention to the sign and not the fence. The other fence.

Hiking across the 376 acres of mountains and valleys that are home to 29 endemic fauna and flora found nowhere else.

Shirley doing her best impersonation of “Mrs. Fletcher.” I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. All that was missing was the pendant.

Something new on the trail. Wait, this isn’t the trail. Well, at least we got to see a waterfall on the hike, which you usually don’t see on the KST.

Back on the right trail after we spent an hour exploring, which is hiking jargon for getting lost.

Just wondering if the sock fits the boot?

We took a slight detour off the KST to experience …

… knee deep mud …Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

… and stunning views of the Waianae Mountains. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Group photo of the cabin with the Waianae Mountains in the backdrop, left to right: Ferlino, Shirley, Mia and myself.

What happened in the cabin got etched very deeply into our photographic memories. Indelible.

Time to leave as we had squandered our few remaining daylight hours for the cabin experience. I think the group thought it was worth it.

Ferlino stepping to the side to avoid taking a mud bath.

Going down the rabbit hole.

It was a hop, skip and a jump across the short muddy section before exiting the gate. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Some of us embraced the mud more readily than the others as we passed the sun bleached pig jawbone.

Our last group photo of the day as rain would keep us company the rest of the way down.

Descending down from the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

The rain blended in and drowned out the sound from nearby Castle Falls as we made our way down the fence. Besides, we already saw a waterfall today.

What goes down, must come back up. Something you learn very quickly in the mountains.

Paying too much attention to the gate that drops one down into Kaluanui Stream and Punalu’u Valley. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Exploring the rain soaked fenced ridge line for a few hours before the curtain of darkness fell upon us.

Illuminating our way down the blackened ridge with a motley assortment of iPhone flashlights and headlamps. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

The city lights looked so close and yet was so far away. Photo by Shirley.

Our 12.4 mile hike covered spectacular valley and rugged mountain views through sunny, cloudy and rainy weather. Our ordeal finally came to an end that was filled with graffiti and barking dogs. Great company made the all day adventure bearable and fun. A hearty shout out to Analyn and Clayton for picking us up in the dead of night bearing pizza, wings, banana lumpia and cold drinks. Post hike meal in the SUV. Much Mahaloz! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

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.

Tagged as: army cabin, boot junction, castle junction, cline memorial, kahana valley, kaluanui natural area reserve, koolau summit trail, kst, maakua ridge trail, opaeula cabin, papali junction, papali ridge, poamoho summit, poamoho trail, punaluu valley