Our hike only burned about three hours of daylight, so we headed up the road to explore another part of the canyon.

Trailhead

The parking lot at Pu’u Hinahina lookout was teeming with cars, which forced us to park on the road. We were used to it already.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Making our way down the heavily rooted and trafficked trail.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Passing underneath one of many fallen trees on the trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

We found a rope on the trail.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

The junction signs were weathered beyond legibility. Luckily, the trail was pretty straight forward.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Detouring off the main path, as we climbed up the cliff trail.

Cliff Trail

At least this bird yielded to hikers. It knew its place, otherwise it would be at the table.

Cliff Trail

Sharing our group photo with the backdrop scenic view looking into the canyon.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

We soon dropped back down to the main trail.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Heading up the trail as exposed rocks became more prominent.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

What is everybody looking at?

Waimea Canyon

Oh the view. Not bad.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Passing other hikers on our way down as they were making their way back up, where we soon took the trail to the left.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Our first waterfall on the trail, where some hikers were frolicking in the water to beat the heat.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

We followed the stream down hill …

Waipo’o Falls Trail

… until it stopped at the cliff where it cascaded further down before plunging over another cliff to form the two-tiered 800′ Waipo’o Falls.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Passing a hiking memorial on our way back up. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Spotted the Filipino cross as well.

Waipo’o Falls Trail

A parking lot full of jeeps. You mean we could have drove up here?

Waipo’o Falls Trail

Switch backing our way up the trail.

All pau

Our canyon waterfalls hike covered 2.95 miles, that was by far the most crowded trail that we experienced this weekend.

GPS Tracks

Post hike meal at Wong’s Chinese Restaurant where it was the wrong place to eat oxtail soup but the right place to get Lilikoi Chiffon pies to take home before being scrutinized by the TSA. Another weekend well spent adventuring on the Garden Isle.

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.