Holidays are nice. No work. No school. For most people. Lucky us. Mari and I made the long drive out to the North Shore to do an easy hike.

Trailhead

The trailhead was not marked but we easily located it to the left of the gate that separated the parking lots of Sunset Beach Elementary School and Sunset Beach Neighborhood Park.

Nice open trail

Mari walking on the trail that started off fairly wide and level.

Tree climbing?

Banyan trees make wonderful climbing gyms. Not today.

Uphill

We soon gained elevation quickly as the muddy trail became steeper. Rope was strung out between the trees to help from falling on your butt and to help pull you upward. Take your pick or none at all.

Bat cave

A shallow cave partially covered in cascading banyan tree roots greeted us at the top.

Choose wisely

The trail eventually forked. We took the left trail. Gone are the candy cane ribbons that other hikers have mentioned. Christmas has left the hills. I explored a little of the right trail which I believe is part of the six mile Kaunala-Ehukai trail that makes its way to Pupukea. Another hike for another day.

Ocean view

The trail eventually opened to ocean views on our left. There seemed to be multiple trails that branched out from the main trail.

Dew drop

Dew drops hung from pine needles as we made our way along the trail.

WW2 Bunker

The trail eventually led to the first military bunker, that had a “bench” on top. Trivia fact: Bunker comes from the Scots word for bench.

Green things in the way

Surfers were absent from Pipeline, Ehukai and Gas Chambers, surf spots that can be somewhat seen from the top of the pillbox.

Exploring

Half expected to find homeless living inside the bunker. Pleasantly surprised to have only found brightly colored graffiti splashed on the inside walls and beach views.

Down we go

Took the trail to the left of the bunker as we made our way down the ridge looking for better views.

Heed the sign

We didn’t see the “keep out” sign when we first made our way down.

Tetanus shots up to date?

That would explain the barbed wire fence. But why is the opening wide enough that a truck could drive through? Okay, maybe a SMART car.

Peace bunker?

We traded elevation loss for open views when we came across this smaller bunker.

Rock stop

Only the skinny may enter.

Exploring bunker #2

Same interior decorator(s)?

Waianae Mountains

Good morning!

GPS Tracks

The 1.84 mile hike was a sweet and short trail on the North Shore that quickly gives up her two military bunkers from WW2 and ocean views of popular surfing spots.