Analyn, Ferlino and myself flew over to the Garden Isle to get in some hiking this weekend.

Trailhead

We picked up our rental car, stocked up on water and snacks at Walmart and drove to the end of the winding road to Waimea to begin our hike.

Pihea Trail

Descending down the seemingly solidified eddies and currents captured on the trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pihea Trail

Analyn going up the fern lined trail.

Pihea Trail

Stopping to gawk at one of the many jaw dropping views of Kalalau Valley along the rim. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Pihea Trail

Making my way down the tree lined trail.

Pihea Trail

Ferlino walking the planks over the muddy section.

Pihea Trail

Leaning trees and sprawling roots soon dominated the terrain.

Pihea Trail

Analyn and Ferlino making their way up the heavily rooted trail.

Pihea Vista

Group photo at the 4,284′ summit left to right: Analyn, myself and Ferlino. Where is the trail? Don’t trust the book, listen to the locals.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Going down the boardwalk. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Alakai Swamp Trail

The forest canopy filtered and spackled the sunlight reaching the redwood planks. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Alakai Swamp Trail

The State has begun to replace the rotting planks with recycled plastic ones. Is this where all the plastic bags went?

Junction

We turned left at the junction to head towards the Alakai Wilderness Preserve, better known as Alakai Swamp.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Descending lower and … Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Alakai Swamp Trail

… lower into the native forest.

Alakai Swamp Trail

The sounds of surface water flowing soon reached our ears.

Kawaikoi Stream

Watching the water stained by the forest floor as it coursed its way down stream. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Stepping foot on the plateau that is filled with overflowing water from Mount Wai’ale’ale, one of the wettest spots on Earth. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Alakai Swamp Trail

We bumped into another group making their way through the swamp as we saw windows of blue skies peeking through the clouds.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Passing one of the remaining telephone poles that were built by the US Army during WW2 to serve as backup communications in case the Japanese invaded and captured Lihue.

Kilohana Lookout

The clouds drifted in and out at the 4,030′ uneven platform overlooking the northwest coastline.

Kilohana Lookout

Ferlino set up his hammock and we commenced the hour long photo shoot. Photo time is more important than eating time for some people.

Kilohana Lookout

These scurrying rodents threaten the native bird population that inhabit the wetlands.

Kilohana Lookout

One last sweeping view of Hanalei Bay and Wainiha Valley. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Leaving the lookout behind us, so that others waiting could enjoy it as well.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Reflections at the world’s highest rainforest.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Chicken wire would be a nice touch for additional traction. Slippery when wet. Photo by Analyn Baliscao

Alakai Swamp Trail

Despite the name; Alakai Swamp is not technically a swamp, but rather a montane wet forest. Don’t ask me to explain the difference. I couldn’t for the life of me. Analyn Baliscao

Alakai Swamp Trail

The boardwalk that was built in 1991, has seen better days.

Kawaikoi Stream

Analyn rock hopping across the stream.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Climbing the hundreds of steps out of the forest.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Where were these railings back when we needed them? Photo by Analyn Baliscao

Junction

If we had more time, we could have explored the other two trails. But alas, waterfalls were waiting to be photographed down the road.

Alakai Swamp Trail

Walking up the stairs that are short a few steps.

Alakai Swamp Trail

We were fortunate enough to see the lobelia flowering with its purple and white buds.

Junction

The fence line soon lead us back to the Pihea Trail.

Pihea Trail

Rooting our way back down. Photo by Analyn Baliscao

Pihea Trail

Looking across the valley towards the radome perched near the Kalalau Lookout.

Kalalau Valley

Nature’s open air venue bordered by sheer cliffs that contain a valley filled with waterfalls, hippies and magical sunsets. Or so I’ve been told.

Pihea Trail

Climbing back up the roughly textured trail.

Pihea Trail

Looking back at Mount Wai’ale’ale, the spigot that makes the Alakai Wilderness Preserve so swampy.

Pu’u O Kila Lookout

Ferlino’s balancing act at the end of our hike. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Waipo’o Falls

We pulled off the highway in order to soak in the views of the two-tiered 800′ waterfall cascading down to the canyon floor.

Waipo’o Falls

Wait for it. Patience is a virtue.

The bee bit my bottom!

The moral of the story is always look before you sit down for your photo shoot.

Red Dirt Waterfall

Pulling off the highway again to catch another pseudo-waterfall. I have heard others call this place Dr. Seuss Falls, whatever it is, it’s not technically a waterfall but most likely part of the irrigation system that once fed the farms.

Sunset

Catching the fiery sunset on our way down from Waimea.

Wrangler’s Steakhouse

The wait was inordinately long at our post hike meal, but at least it was all you can eat salad and soup bar. The steak and fish wasn’t that bad either. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kauai Shores Hotel

Some people like to hit the sack after a long day. Others like to hang upside down and then listen to live music and witness a natural crack. Good night from Kapaa.

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.