Met up in Waimanalo for somebody’s birthday hike. Only somebody was missing. The birthday girl. The hike must go on. Photo by Colt Correa.

Waimanalo

Thanks to Matt for driving Aida, Enrique, Lilyn, Ryan and myself to Colt’s ranch where we started to walk to the trailhead. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimanalo

We skirted the surprisingly graffiti free water tank and failed to receive the BOWS morning wake up call.

Waimanalo

Crossing over a rock wall that was of undetermined age. Carbon dating seems to be in order.

Waimanalo

Looking for the snap, crackle and pop under canopy as we rambled in the forest.

Right Fork

Ryan climbing up the spur ridge known as Bear Claw Right Fork.

Right Fork

Aida following Colt up the rocky ridge line. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Right Fork

Matt pushing his way through the tangled thicket of trees to get the drone advantage position.

Right Fork

Enrique and Aida making their way up the ridge line. Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Right Fork

Colt climbing up the steepest section on this fork. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Right Fork

The group climbing up the steep ridge. Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Colt standing on the mushroom rock as we left the canopied section of the right fork behind us. Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Matt climbing his way up the main ridge line.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

The girls scrambling up the exposed ridge.

Halftime

What’s the score?

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Somebody forgot to tell Matt that this is the Aloha State and not the Show Me State.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

The weather was extremely kind to us on this hike with overcast clouds and enough wind to keep us separated from perspiration to profusely sweating.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Vans was not made for slippery slopes.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Almost there. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Somebody didn’t need spikes to get to the top.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Flyover. No permission needed. Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Group photo at the terminus with the plaque that honors the late Lesley Merrell who perished on this very ridge on March 18, 2012. “One day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember.” – avicii.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

The eagle has landed. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Somebody finally climbed the ridge he had always seen afar from his backyard. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

East or West? Nobody can decide on an empty stomach, so we found a sheltered spot to hunker down and grab a bite to eat and then decide.

KSRT

Ryan was looking for a square to spare.

KSRT

After we sung the birthday song to the absent birthday person and in different tones to boot, I gave away the chocolate sundate cupcake that I had toiled hours away on my Easy-Bake Oven to make. Happy Birthday Roseann! The boys sure appreciated my confectionary creation.

KSRT

To valley or not to valley? We’ll be back. No Austrian accent involved. Photo by Ryan Meyer.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Somebody else was the human anchor for a change as we went back down the windward ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Lilyn climbing her way down from the summit. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

The three amigos signaling that they were going to go down Kuli’ou’ou East. I wouldn’t know as I didn’t learn ASL. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Going down with wrap around views of Waimanalo all around us. Eye candy. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

Colt coming down the same section where Leslie Merrell tragically lost his life ten years ago.

Pu’u O Kona Windward

The group disappearing back into the canopy. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Left Fork

Matt walking through the feathery patch of ferns on the spur ridge known as Bear Claw Left Fork.

Left Fork

Lilyn climbing her way down the rockface.

Left Fork

Colt making his way down the “hardest” section on this fork.

Left Fork

Matt coming down the “piped” section.

Left Fork

Boys will be boys.

Left Fork

Matchy-Matchy. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Left Fork

Matt enjoying the rope slide down.

All pau

We came down the trail and finally got our canned BOWS recording. A day late and a dollar short. As we exited Hilltop Ranch, we ran into Bob Tyson and talked story for a little awhile before walking back to Matt’s truck. Aida, Enrique and Ryan also caught an uber back to the truck to meet up with us. Perfect timing.

GPS Tracks

Our Waimanalo loop hike covered roughly three miles with a fun group. Post hike meal at Big City Diner where we caught the climatic conclusion to the Chiefs-Bills game.

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our Bear Claw Loop Hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUBrr9RZgzk

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.

Met up with Chris, Justin, Ryan and Thessa to loop the Bear Claw ridges. Many thanks to Bob for letting us park at the ranch. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trailhead

No canned messages greeted us this morning.

Trailhead

We didn’t run across any HECO workers as well.

Left Fork

The climbing begins. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Left Fork

Making my way up the pipe section. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Left Fork

Hello there.

Left Fork

Ryan scrambling up. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Left Fork

Those trees sure do come in handy.

Junction

Left meets Right. Panoramic view from the top.

Bear Claw Ridge

Mushroom rock. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Straight to the summit.

Bear Claw Ridge

To the left, to the right, now kick, hike it by yourself. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Group photo by Justin Hirako, top to bottom: Ryan, Chris, myself, Thessa and Justin.

Bear Claw Ridge

Ryan about to climb a section, where another long respected hiker fell to his death.

Bear Claw Ridge

Ryan at the top of the section. We still have to do something about the constant selfie problem on the ridges.

Bear Claw Ridge

Ryan coming over the ridge.

Bear Claw Ridge

Trying to outrace the clouds.

Bear Claw Ridge

Almost there.

Bear Claw Ridge

Climbing to the summit. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Bear Claw Summit

Memorial to Les Merrell whose life was tragically cut short on this ridge.

Bear Claw Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Going back down the ridge to spoon the other fork. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

The crew making their way down the somewhat steep section of the ridge.

Bear Claw Ridge

Okay, how do I get down? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Ridge

Contouring and climbing the ridge on our way down.

Bear Claw Ridge

Hikers, Ryan and Thessa, spotted on the ridge. Photo by Jake Kunuku.

Junction

Enjoying the views and the company. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Right Fork

Top view. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Right Fork

Bottom view.

Right Fork

Chris about to climb down and swing over.

Right Fork

Thessa making her way down.

Right Fork

Ryan dropping down the ridge. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Right Fork

The rest of the ridge down was marked by heavy overgrowth and rocky sections.

Waimanalo

Hear that? That’s the Doberman dogs that Bob warned us about. So what’s the plan? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Who let the dogs out?

We came down from the mountain and of all the places that we could cross, was the farm that the dogs called home. One of them came right up to me. Nice doggy. Hey, where did everybody go? Luckily the owner was on site and had the dogs under control. No rabies shot for me.

All pau

Beers in a cooler. Thanks Bob. Cars still intact. Thanks Bob. What more could one ask for after a hike?

GPS Tracks

Our 2.8 mile loop hike was filled with stellar views, rocky climbs and good fun all around. Post hike meal at Outback’s. Seems they always seat us at the same table. Perhaps this is where they put smelly and disheveled people that pass themselves off as hikers?

Note: I have been made aware the 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.

Today was the day we hiked a ridge less traveled, which was Mauna o Ahi Windward. I found myself in the company of Marcus, Jay, Tom, KiLei, LyZel, Ted, Yoshi and Randy. Waimanalo Bob was our guide to the trailhead.

Butterfly country

We passed the old Meadow Gold Dairies ranch as we made our way to the trailhead, as white butterflies fluttered around us.

If a tree falls in a forest…

We picked our way through the forest, crossing dry riverbeds and walking across fallen trees.

Steep grade ahead

As the ground underneath us became heavily carpeted with ferns and took on a noticeably increased slant, Waimanalo Bob wisely waved us farewell and turned around. Photo by Ted Calvero.

…with lots of trees…

While the steepness of the ridge didn’t relent, at least trees started becoming more abundant as we worked our way up. A lot easier pulling yourself up with trees than ferns.

…and rockfaces

A couple rockfaces were thrown in for good measure, as if the ridge wasn’t steep enough. Photo by Marcus Griego.

Looking back

Looking back at the ridge we had just climbed up, the photo doesn’t convey the steep angle of the ridge.

Almost there

Did I mention how steep this ridge is? This has got to be the steepest ridge I’ve hiked to date. My guess is that not too many hikers come up this ridge. We did see some old and new pink ribbons coming up, so I could be wrong.

Top of Mauna o Ahi Windward Ridge

The group taking a well deserved break at the top. Left to right: Tom, Yoshi, Ted, myself, LyZel, Randy, Jay and Marcus. Photo by Marcus Griego.

Waimanalo view

Glad the weather Guy (hint) was wrong again. Nice weather on the Koolau’s.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Group photo at the Kuli’ou’ou Summit with the ridge we had just climbed to the left of us. Photo by Kilei Nelson.

Kings of the Hill

Scrambling up this section of the trail was pretty eroded due to lack of vegetation. The trail becomes a little more green once you pass Bear Claw Ridge.

Beautiful day on the Koolau’s

I never get tired of these views.

Bear Claw Ridge

Looking down at Bear Claw Ridge, I’ve come up this ridge twice. This would be my first time going down, which is a lot harder than going up, in my book.

Slippery slope going down

Going down this eroded slope, half of us scooted on our butts and the other half climbed it facing the ridge. Either way, it was slow going, as you only had clumps of grass to hold on going down.

Looking up

Ted and Randy looking up as the rest of our group made our way down, with Marcus providing spotting duties. Photo by Ted Calvero.

Swinging over the ridge

This part of the ridge, you had to swing yourself over the ridge and rely on tree roots and branches to pull yourself up back to the ridge. It was over in the blink of an eye.

A little ridge down climbing…

Going down the sometimes narrow ridge and always loose dirt and crumbly rocks, keeps you on the edge, literally.

…here…

Oh, and being several thousand feet above sea elevation doesn’t hurt either.

…and there

Kilei climbing down the rockface that tragically took Leslie Merrell’s life last year.

Fantastic views going down the ridge

Part of the reason that I love doing these kind of ridge hikes is the fantastic views it provides.

Geocache spot

Last rest spot before heading down the ridge.

Going down Left Fork

We lost our way briefly and then got back on track to go down the Left Fork.

Duck, weave and climb

The thicket of trees going down is both a blessing and a curse. They often hinder as much as they help.

Fun with rocks

Kilei climbing around a rockface.

More fun with rocks

Kilei climbing down the last major rockface. The two pipes are still stuck in the rocks, providing valuable assistance when climbing down.

Signs of civilization

Soon the trees thinned out and the grade started to level out, marking that we were coming to the end of our hike.

All pau

Looking up at the ridge we had climbed up and the ridge we had climbed down. Damn.

GPS Tracks of Mauna o Ahi Windward to Bear Claw Left Fork Hike

The 3.8 mile hike took us 5 1/2 hours to finish. Did I mention it was a steep hike? Good.