Met up with Aida, Art, Enrique and Tessa to do a loop trail that had few and far good parts in the hike.

Valley of the Temples

Getting bird poop on your head has been calculated by some as .2% probability that it will happen. Hence the belief of good luck, which originated in Russia. So Art should try his hand at playing the lottery or the odds in Vegas.

Ulupaina Trail

We veered off the highway and plunged into the forest to hike the loop counter clockwise.

Ulupaina Trail

Going down the somewhat steep leaf covered trail. No sign of the reputed beehives that inhabit this trail. Not that I’m complaining.

Ulupaina Trail

One of the few views that we got on the hike as Aida wondered why does my pack weigh 10 ounces more than it should be? Perhaps Enrique can answer that question.

Ulupaina Trail

I asked Art, resident plant expert, what was the name of this particular flower. I was quickly referred to his IG for plant identification.

Ulupaina Trail

Going our different ways on the trail.

Ulupaina Trail

Sitting on a tree to catch my breath as the hike was extremely challenging and quickly wore me out. Never again.

Ulupaina Trail

Approaching the summit of the trail?

Ulupaina Trail

Group picture on the i-beam.

Ulupaina Trail

Art showing us his climbing skills in not getting electrocuted.

Ulupaina Mauka

We continued on the ridge towards the mountains for the real hike of the day.

Ulupaina Mauka

The approach reminds me of the way to Piliwale.

Ulupaina Mauka

Climbing down the backside, I was startled enough to climb back up was an extremely loud hissing sound that was obviously meant to stay the f*ck away. It turned out to be a pair of baby owls with large beaks and pointed claws.

Ulupaina Mauka

Awash in a sea of green. I read about Pete Clines scouting out this route and eventually doing it from top down as the bottom up had too much inherent risk due to the nature of the ridge. These Windward ridges are no joke.

Ulupaina Mauka

Art climbing down to use his IG to identify the hissing barn owls.

Ulupaina Mauka

Tessa climbing back up after she recovered her phone which thankfully fell a short distance and within reach.

Ulupaina Mauka

Climbing down the crumbly rocks.

Ulupaina Mauka

Tessa asking Art’s IG what was the name of the nearby ridge.

Ulupaina Mauka

Hiking our way back over the rock dike.

Ulupaina Mauka

Sliding our way down through the hala trees and her droppings.

Ulupaina Mauka

Returning to civilization after a short stroll in the foothills.

All pau

We dropped back onto Kahekili Highway where Art defied the odds and got bird shat on again. Relax, it’s just bottled water.

GPS Tracks

Our half day hike covered a tad shy of four miles through the foothills of the Ko’olau Mountains and the promise of a ridge hike in the future. Post hike meal at Big City Diner where poke was back on the menu. Life is good.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Art Young, Enrique Chavez, Tessa Bugay and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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.