Visions of carved pumpkins dancing on a certain extinct crater were soon extinguished, to be replaced by another Halloween hike deep in Kahana Valley. Dale picked me up from Helemano Military Reservation and we journeyed around the island to a place where cell phone reception does not exist.

Trailhead

These boots are made for walking. Or was that past tense?

Hunters & dogs

We saw a pack of hunters ahead of us that went down the Nakoa trail. We were headed uphill to the water tank.

Water tank

The trail for us was the opposite of the sign’s direction.

Cleared trail

HTMC had recently cleared the bottom part of the trail. Lucky us.

Sunrise

The sun was trying to pierce the clouds and the clouds were winning.

Pauao Ridge

The trail soon met up with the ridge and we turned left to continue our climb towards the Koolau Summit Trail (KST).

Uluhell

The cleared trail slowly lost ground to a tangled mess of uluhe ferns as we climbed higher.

‘ie’ie

Endemic woody climbers scattered on the trail.

Ridge

Our destination was masked by heavy cloud cover.

Mossy break

Taking a break amidst the mossy covered trees and ground.

Waterfall

Tucked away deep in the valley. Another hike for another day. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Cloudy ridge

One of many false summits that teased us on the hike.

Steep

We lost our bipedal locomotion as the ridge angle slowly increased.

Steeper

The ridge maintained the steep angle to the summit. Crawling and climbing. Huffing and puffing.

KST

Looking at the contour trail carved into the side of the mountains.

Kahana Valley

Besides being the wettest valley on the island, it also boasts one of the best views on the island.

Where is the KST?

You’re standing on it Dale!

Pauao junction

Group photo at the top. Small group. Not really a group.

Loulou palms

Dale passing through a cluster of endemic palm trees with their rustling fan shaped leaves.

Cloudy trail

We turned right on the trail towards Poamoho.

Signs

This must be a hiking trail. There is a sign. Signs of progress or not. Depending on ones point of view.

KST

Dale looking out at the historical Ko’olau Summit Trail that was originally created for hunters to control the feral pig population and not for hikers back in the 1930’s.

Magic gate

My feet never touched the gate, however not the same could be said for my posterior which kissed mother mud. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Leeward trail

The trail crossed to the Leeward side, affording us cloudy views of the Waianae Mountain Range and Central Oahu.

Notch

Dale opening one of many gates we would encounter on the trail.

Windward trail

The trail switched back to the Windward side with stunning views of Kahana Valley and the Windward side.

Gated trail

The trail switched back to the Leeward side, sheltering us from the howling winds.

Cabin trail

Dale making his way to the cabin.

Poamoho Cabin

The legend of the old man in the cabin was true! Photos by Dale Yoshizu.

Happy Halloween!

Dressing for the occasion. We both wore pumpkin orange.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

That way?

The other way.

Windward trail

Dale making his way towards the summit.

Poamoho summit

One of the greatest views on the island. That is, when the weather cooperates.

Cline memorial

The only view was that facing the Waianae Mountain Range.

Mud gate

Dale leaving the no view summit.

Stream jumper

Dale making sure his feet does not touch water. Just mud.

Checking in

Or was that checking out?

Trail

We left behind the unmaintained trail. Walk in the park from this point. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Poamoho trail

The trail meandered through the vast Ewa Forest Reserve.

Bananas

Slightly radioactive leathery berries.

Trail steps

Dale climbing up the steps on the trail.

Trailhead

The easy part was over. Now the long and boring part lay ahead of us.

Poamoho road

Six miles of jeep road. There is actually a permit you can obtain to drive a 4×4 on this road to save you some mileage. Unfortunately for us, we were going down and not up.

Moo

We decided to move along in case they became bored with just chewing grass. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

What’s the combination?

The first of three gates we would encounter on the trail.

All pau

The sun was still shining on our sweaty faces. My car was still parked where I left it. Intact. All treats and no tricks today.

GPS Tracks

Our Halloween Ko’olau traverse hike covered 13.95 miles. Mahalo to Dale for keeping me company on today’s hike. Post hike meal at Zippy’s.