Poamoho Trail to Pupukea Trail

by kenji SAITO on July 3, 2020

Hiking Poamoho Trail to Pupukea Trail

We decided to celebrate Independence Day in the mountains and help a friend connect the dots. Met up with Agnes, Aida, Analyn, Anne, Bill, Cisco, Ferlino, Lilyn, Matt, Quan and Shirley at the Poamoho gate where Edgar, James and Richard shuttled us up the jeep road. Much mahalos to Jasmin and Lee for dropping some of us as well to the gate. Agnes also gave us three containers of home cooked oxtail soup goodness that Cisco, Matt and myself stuffed into our packs. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Gate

Poamoho Gate

The caravan rolling towards our destination, somewhere up in the mountains.

Poamoho Road

Poamoho Road

No cattle blocked our way up today. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Group photo left to right: Agnes, Lilyn, Shirley, Bill, Analyn, Anne, Cisco, myself, Matt, Nikki, Aida, James, Quan and Ferlino. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Our rather large group of 14 people soon pushed off on one of the easiest trails to access the KST.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Taking another group photo at the halfway mark. Everybody here? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Resuming our hike with intermittent photo shoots. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Cline Memorial

Cline Memorial

Let the orgy of picture taking commence, despite the socked in summit.

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the socked in summit where the whipping winds failed to move the clouds away, leaving us with just views of ourselves. For some, that was more than enough. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Smoking at the Summit

Smoking at the Summit

Contactless tobacco inhalation. We took our leave of James and Nikki at the summit as our group dwindled to 12 and set foot on the KST.

Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST)

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Passing the snail habitat as we entered the gated community of the Ko’olaus. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Contouring below the fence line. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Size does not matter

Size does not matter

Ukininam! Some people never get over their fears and others never grow up. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

KST

KST

Back on the fence line.

KST

KST

The weather patterns up in the North are usually cloudy, rainy and windy. Today was no different. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Everybody wanted a piece of the glove. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KST

KST

Excuse me? More hiking, less talking, it’s raining.

The shoe fairy

The shoe fairy

Matt putting Aida’s shoes back together with the help of spikes and duct tape.

Boot Junction

Boot Junction

Group photo with the slowly disintegrating boot before we hopped over the fence and crossed the meadows. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Crossing down into the fenced ravine. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kaluanui Natural Area Reserve

Kaluanui Natural Area Reserve

Some were excited to see the endemic lobelia which can only be found on Oahu. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

Kaluanui Natural Area Reserve

Kaluanui Natural Area Reserve

Others were more interested to see the inside of their eyelids. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Bill experiencing the stench and sucking of the mud pits. He was having the time of his life and can’t wait to repeat this section.

KST

KST

Following the fence for daze. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KST Junction

KST Junction

Waiting for everybody to catch up before plunging into the rabbit hole. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

Power glvoes

Power gloves

Press this and the glove moves up and down, speed adjustable. Best for hikers of the male persuasion. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

KST

KST

Out of the muddy trail and into the mud pit. The hike just keeps getting better.

KST

KST

Following the fence line. Common theme of the day.

Papali Junction

Papali Junction

The princess getting another adjustment. Must be nice to be royalty. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Papali Junction

Papali Junction

Lunch break. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Heading back out into the country.

Face Plant

Face Plant

Take a picture. It’ll last longer!

KST

KST

Watching out for the numerous false holes that dotted the trail.

KST

KST

The Waianae Mountain Range in the distance.

KST

KST

Getting closer to our destination.

KST

KST

Every now and then, you have to stop and smell the slime trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Passing the scenic rock. No scenic views. Let’s move on.

KST

KST

Switch backing our way through the cloudy mountains. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Rounding the corner. Photo by Aida Gordon.

City & County

City & County

Need a hand? Photo by Aida Gordon.

KST

KST

Back on the fence line. Are we there yet?

KST

KST

The end to a muddy and wet day was drawing near. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

We got to the cabin right before another group of five hikers showed up as well. You guys got tents?

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Time to sample the fruits of our burden. Thanks to Agnes for making the delicious oxtail soup that was our hot dinner for the day.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

12 + 5 hikers = a full cabin and then some.

Koloa Cabin

Koloa Cabin

Leaving our cozy cabin.

KST

KST

Climbing over the fence to get back on the muddy trail.

Koloa Mud Race

Koloa Mud Race

Cue the song, Chariots of Fire. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Koloa Mud Race

Koloa Mud Race

Playing on the trails, gonna be a big girl someday. You got mud on your face, you big disgrace. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Matt sloshing his way through the mud. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Passing through the uluhe carpeted trail.

Smoke Break

Smoke Break

Agnes practicing safe smoking.

KST

KST

Quan and Aida emerging from the uluhe tunnel. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Take our picture!

KST

KST

Group photo at the end of the fence line. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Princess getting her early morning snacks hand fed to her.

KST

KST

Descending down into the bowl shaped depression. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Looking back at the rest of the group on their way to the summit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Summit

Laie Summit

Chris and the KST Bushwhackers met up with us at the foxhole. Everybody wanted to be like Pringle Lips.

KST

KST

I guess we had a breakdown in communication as we left the KST Bushwhackers at the summit and started ahead of them on the trail.

KST

KST

Matt going through a corridor of highly invasive strawberry guava trees.

KST

KST

Somebody was swinging away at the air or the overgrowth. Hard to tell.

KST

KST

Taking a short break as we waited for the rest of the group to catch up. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Malaekahana Junction

Malaekahana Junction

The tattered glove has seen better days.

KST

KST

Meandering our way through the mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Trying to fit everybody in the group photo at the halfway mark. We were not entirely successful. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

KST

Pushing our way through the remaining overgrowth. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KST

KST

Matt coming through another corridor of trees. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KST

KST

Quan and Ferlino emerging from the worst of the overgrown sections. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Puu Hina

Puu Hina

Mister Flag himself on the summit. Redundancy. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

KST

Taking another break with Janell who had hiked up to meet with us.

Black Junction

Black Junction

Pouring champagne on Matt as he celebrates his KST completion. After waiting for over 38 years.

Black Junction

Black Junction

Group photo by Agnes Bryant at the finish line.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

One last adjustment before we hit the road. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Synchronized running. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Walking down the road, at least it was paved with good intentions. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Road Potty

Road Potty

When you got to go, you got to go.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Reflections. In more ways than one. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Exiting the trail. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Post hike meal

Post hike meal

Only one item in this picture is not edible. Shout out to Janell for the fruits and cold drinks and Somphet for the fried chicken and pizzas. Much appreciated after a two day hike. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

All pau

Final group photo with the KST Bushwhackers, Janell and the Uber Eats driver. Thanks to Jasmin, Matt and Richard for the rides home. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our two day hike through the muddiest and most overgrown section of the KST covered 18.5 miles with good company and friends. Congratulations again to Matt for finishing his last section of the KST.

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

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

ferlino September 4, 2020 at 3:06 pm

Awesome hike! Thanks again!

Reply

kenji SAITO September 8, 2020 at 11:30 pm

Aloha Ferlino,
Thanks as always for your company.
Mahalo

Reply

Aida Gordon September 4, 2020 at 4:02 pm

Funny write-up! Thanks for reliving the memories through your blog! Next time I know to use reliable footwear for the mud! Yuck! Lol

Reply

kenji SAITO September 8, 2020 at 11:30 pm

Aloha Aida,
Thanks. Yup bring solid shoes next time.
Mahalo

Reply

Annefai808 September 4, 2020 at 6:15 pm

So funny!!! That witch toes is not edible????????????

Reply

kenji SAITO September 8, 2020 at 11:31 pm

Aloha Anne,
It depends on how hungry you are.
Mahalo

Reply

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