We hiked to the highest point on the island today to visit a post-WW2 wreckage as gloomy weather derailed the original plan to saddle up. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off deep in Waianae Valley.

Trailhead

Is this a slipper optional hike?

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Heading deep into the valley, streambed was bone dry. No waterfalls today.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Rooting up the trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Three Poles Junction

Is it time to shed the slippers yet?

Three Poles Junction

Group photo left to right: Anne, myself, Ferlino and Analyn.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Who said you can’t be in two places at the same time? Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Looking ahead to the steep climb ahead of us to the top. We only had to climb up roughly 1,425′ more of mountain to make it to the top.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Reflecting towards Waianae Valley on the first boulder section.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Taking the ladder and ladder-less way up on the second boulder section. Photo by Anne Fai.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Pitching up the steep rocky climb to the summit.

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Who needs hiking shoes? Not Analyn.

Mount Ka’ala

Hikers in the bog. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

No hat, no salute

Somebody is not getting a salute today.

Lunch break

Most people get leg cramps, a few get mouth cramps. I heard they can be pretty painful. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Mount Ka’ala

After lunch, we skirted the barbed wire fence surrounding the FAA tracking station to go exploring down a ridge.

Mount Ka’ala

Descending from the 4,025′ flat topped mountain towards Waialua.

Ridge

Making our way through the moss encrusted ohia trees as we followed the fence line down.

Ridge

Looking out towards the North Shore.

Ridge

Anne hopping over the fence.

Trail

Bushwhacking our way through suffocating ginger plants and prickly thimbleberry bushes as we tried to pick up the trail.

Trail

Stepping on history as we followed the trail of wreckage that soon lead us … Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

B-24

… to the crashed remains of the B-24 bomber “Evelyn.”

B-24

Exploring what remains of the plane that crashed on July 30, 1945 at 0910. Unfortunately, the eleven crew members did not survive the impact and were retrieved the next day and buried with full military honors.

B-24

Leaving the crash scene. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Trail

You go that way and I’ll go this way. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ridge

Pausing after the short, steep and humid climb back up to the summit.

Mount Ka’ala

Up. Down. Across. Repeat. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Mount Ka’ala

A poorly coordinated dragonfly interrupting somebody’s photo session. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Mount Ka’ala

Group photo overlooking the central plain of Wahiawa and points beyond.

Mount Ka’ala

Circling our way around the tracking station.

Mount Ka’ala

Our last group photo at the top before taking our leave of the summit of “the awakening.” Photo by Analyn Baliscao

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Coming down from the highest mountain on the island.

Slip’n’Slide

Where are those cardboard boxes when you need them?

All pau

Slipper in. Shoe out. Mahalo to Jasmin for coming back to get us, despite Makaha not being Waianae. Fun group hike that explored a different side of the tallest peak on the island. Post hike meal at Pho My Vi, the best phocking rice noodles on the Windward side. Or that’s what I was told. Can’t believe everything you eat.

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.