Pu’u Hapapa Loop

Easy hike Plan A got cancelled due to Poamoho Trail being closed. I settled on what I thought would be Easy Hike Plan B for the group. Relatively speaking.

It was a chilly 53 degrees as Aida, Aileen, Akira, Chico, Ferlino, Jasmin, Mari, Tessa, and myself met up on the largest military base in Hawaii. The meeting spot was also the lowest elevation on the Waianae Mountain Range.

Akira playing the part of the sacrificial lamb at the “beheading rock.” Legend has it that Wahiawa people and the Waianae people would meet at this pass and battle each other for the right to cross over to the other side. The losing side would have to submit their chief to be beheaded on this rock and his skin would be stripped raw (kolekole). Others say this is a modern fabrication.

Passing through an open area as we skirted the fenced enclosure and followed the hiking trail signs.

Standing on the eroded bluff as the sun started to illuminate the mountains and central plain.

We soon got to the grassy meadow with the crooked bench as I pointed our where we were headed next.

That ridge? That steep and high ridge?

Group photo in front of Lualualei Valley, the largest coastal valley on the island.

Can Ferlino tell the difference between Jasmin’s pat and Chico’s pat? Perhaps he enjoys both or is just a good sport.

The group going up the rutted trail.

Single filing our way on the Honouliuli Contour Trail which contours the Windward side of the Waianae Mountain Range from Kolekole Pass to Makakilo.

Going up the hill dominated by paperbark trees which is also the start of the Waianae Summit Trail (WST).

Jasmin probably thinking this doesn’t resemble Aiea Loop Trail.

Climbing our way down to the first notch or gap in the ridge line.

Group photo. Somebody was thinking they should turn around. Luckily it was just a passing thought.

Picture of the group standing on the gap with the dog hill pile of crumbly rocks aka Ka’ilio framed in the middle.

Watching the group make their way down from their lofty perch.

Scrambling in and out of the notch.

Contouring and climbing our way on the side of the mountain.

Jasmin pulling herself up on the OSHA approved strap.

Are we there yet?

The sun began to rise higher than the mountains, shining on our sweaty faces.

Climbing up the ridge as we continued to gain elevation and the destination got closer, not soon enough for some folks.

Standing and sitting on the rock that bears a passing resemblance to a chair.

Cactus Mickey Mouse Ears in the wild. Disney wants their royalties.

Climbing out of the second gap or notch.

Mari getting a helping hand.

Jasmin getting a helping stick.

Aileen found a female Jackson Chameleon in the bushes, these invasive critters were introduced to Hawaii in 1972 from Tanzania and Kenya.

Ferlino and Jasmin coming up on the ridge as it began to ease up on the steep angle.

The introduction of the fence line. A common sight in the mountains as of late, meant to keep the feral ungulates from destroying what’s left of the endemic fauna and flora.

A boisterous group soon caught up to us on the ridge.

Partial group photo with the Jumanji Explorers on the wooden walkway.

The group passing the true summit of Hapapa at 2,883′ elevation as we skirted a massive erosion that seemingly leads straight down the mountain.

Getting the hang of it while on the helipad.

Fly by with the naval magazine in the background. Most of the munitions were supposed to have been transferred to West Loch, supposedly leaving the valley barren of explosives.

Keep your eyes on the GoPro, and your feet next to the poke. Today was a good day to be on the mountains as both ranges were exceptionally clear.

Akira smacking his lips as he was salivating in anticipation for his first camping hike. Or maybe it was just the ramen.

Watching a paraglider circle the area on thermals.

The photoshoots must go on.

We passed the tent on our way back down.

Following the fenced line as we lost elevation on the ridge line.

The chameleon whisperer found another one, this time it was a male specimen with its distinctive three horns. Scientists have noted that the chameleons in Hawaii have evolved into brighter colors than their African cousins due to an absence of predators in the islands, this also helps them to find and attract the opposite sex.

Every heart shaped cactus has its spines.

At least the hiking sticks got out of my backpack and into the hands of their rightful owner.

We soon branched off to the loop trail instead of descending back down the WST.

Enjoying the sun and scenery on our hike down.

We let the Jumanji group pass us as they had another scheduled photoshoot.

Sweeping views of the central plain and the windmills in the distance.

Descending down the last rooted hill on the trail.

Passing time as we waited for the rest of the group to catch up.

Ducking to make the low overhead clearance.

The power couple crossing the creek after their little spill on the trail due to wet rocks and a loose hiking stick.

Intersecting the trail from where we had climbed up earlier.

Descending back down to the meadow.

The French Bulldog smells something. Something pungent and earthy. Can’t quite put his nose on it.

Photo of Akira, Jasmin and Mari who hiked this ridge for the first time. Congratulations especially to Jasmin and Mari who hiked outside of their comfort zone and pushed it to the top.

Going down the steps and back to our cars.

We had our dinner at Chicken in a Barrel, whose cooking style was brought from California and had its roots in Kauai.

Secondhand smoke. I don’t think it’s the kind of smoke these guys were looking for.

Our loop trail covered a little over three miles in the foothills and ridges of Kolekole Pass with a determined and supportive group.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Jasmin Carinio, Mari Saito, Tessa Bugay, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Tagged as: honouliuli contour trail, kolekole pass, puu hapapa loop, schofield barracks, waianae summit trail, wst