Met up with Jen, Quan and Tessa on the oldest inhabited island in the main Hawaiian chain to hike and explore the Garden Isle over President Day’s weekend. Forecasted weather predicted the entire weekend would be raining cats and dogs. As luck would have it, we like feline and canine companions.

Trailhead

The trailhead was not marked like the other trails as it seems the State no longer maintains the trail due to hurricane damage a few decades earlier. A few decades earlier. Let that sink in. Scattered ribbons on the trees were no help, so we had to drive back down the road to get cell reception to download the trail map to find out where to go.

Honopu Ridge Trail

We followed the trail until we came across the fence line meant to keep out the invasive species from the endemic species.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Pushing our way through a thick stretch of uluhe ferns which also doubled as organic wipes since somebody didn’t want to share their invasive wipes.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Making our way down amongst fallen trees and slippery descents.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Multi-colored ribbons kept us on trail, along with following the fence line.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Somebody came running back on the trail after a couple pigs startled her on the trail. Luckily, we were scarier than the pua’a and we continued on our merry way.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Making our way down the steeply rutted trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Walking through the wooded section of the trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Catching our first views of the craggy cliffs that dominate and rise above the coastline.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking back at a huge waterfall cascading off Kalepa Ridge.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Bird’s eye view of Honopu Valley, Arch and Beach.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking out towards the stretch of Na Pali coastline that extends all the way to Kalalau and Ke’e Beaches.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Rain drops keep falling on our heads. Intermittent. The song of the same name is about remaining positive in spite of negative things that one can be facing, such as predicted rainstorms that would have cancelled a trip and hike for others. The song debuted in the 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid and went on to become #1 on the Billboard Charts.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking over into ‘Awa’awapuhi Valley with hanging clouds drifting over.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Why do you guys always leave me? You look like Nana! I guess that’s a good enough reason as any.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The cathedral cliffs were formed millions of years ago when massive streams of water from the mountains carved out the valleys and constant crashing surf formed the character of the beaches and sea caves.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Watching ‘Awa’awapuhi Stream flow down from the mountains and out to the ocean.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Heading to the brush and tree line where we backtracked when we realized we went too far.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Group photo at the “end” of the trail for us.

Honopu Ridge Trail

How many people can fit on this little pile of rocks? Let’s find out.

Honopu Ridge Trail

360 view on top of the spit of rock.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The window of viewing opportunity was closing fast.

Honopu Ridge Trail

In the blink of an eye. Maybe a couple blinks.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The group making their way back down the exposed and eroded trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal experience.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The stiff winds soon scattered the clouds away.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Taking in the waterfall view on our way back out.

Honopu Ridge Trail

No pig sightings on our way back.

All pau

We came back to our car with time to kill before dinner reservations and went back to Scott’s studio to clean up, some more than others. Post hike meal at Kintaro, where the wait was almost as long as the meal. Good food to finish off our fun hike.

GPS Tracks

Our in and out hike covered roughly five miles with scattered showers and spectacular views of Honopu Valley and the Na Pali Coastline.

Photos taken by Jen Odence, Quan Haberstroh, 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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

I got invited to an impromptu weekend of hiking on the Garden Isle. Who can say no to free room and transportation? Brian picked me up from the airport and gathered Naomi from the hotel, where we then proceeded to drive up the winding and scenic road to Koke’e State Park.

Trailhead

Looking into Kalalau Valley, the largest on the island. Photo by Naomi Cabebe.

Trail

To pass the time going down the initial steep descent, Naomi wanted to play “describe each other in five words.” Perverted came to my mind in regards to a certain individual.

Trail

Looking out towards Ka’a’alahina Ridge. Just Jurassic. Photo by Naomi Cabebe.

Trail

Naomi and Brian sitting in a tree… Oh wait, can’t finish the nursery rhyme due to weight issues.

Trail

We soon passed a pod of people that could resemble hippies from a bygone era that looked like they got displaced from their coastal community.

Trail

Isn’t this where the hippies said to stop and take pictures?

Trail

I always find it amazing that fauna and flora can thrive and flourish in seemingly hardscrabble areas.

Trail

We saw goats further down the ridge. If goats can make it down that far, we homo sapiens with two less legs planted on the ground can certainly make it as well.

Trail

Didn’t we pass the goats?

Trail

Is that the last hump? Photo by Naomi Cabebe.

Trail

A steady stream of buzzing helicopters passed in and out of Honopu Valley as dragonflies danced above our heads.

Trail

We dropped almost 1,000′ down the ridge and hit a roadblock. Or was that a body block? My body was willing to proceed, but the other bodies were not willing.

Trail

Scrambled out to a scenic spot on our way back up. A steady stream of well meaning but misguided platitudes on my way back unsettled me more than the loose dirt underneath my feet. Photo by Naomi Cabebe.

Trail

Why buy a Red Dirt Shirt at the store, when you can just roll around on the trail and make yourself one? Yeah, I’m cheap.

Trail

We had to elbow our way into the now crowded spot to take our group photo.

Trail

Leaving the crowds and the drone behind us, as the clouds rolled in from the ocean.

Trail

The temperature started to climb along with our elevation gain, so somebody had to expose their midriff to cool off. I’m not talking about the girl.

All pau

Back at the highest point on the island that you can drive to, any higher and you have to use your own two feet.

GPS Tracks

Our short, steep and spectacularly scenic hike covered a mere 2.45 miles. This was just a warm up hike for me, as I was eager to hit the Awaawapuhi Trail that was further down the road. However, more pressing issues such as hunger, crowded that option off the table. Post hike meal at Kokee Lodge, where the chickens are truly free range. It was still a great hike with views hard to match for the amount of caloric energy expended. Although we didn’t end up hiking another trail; we finished off the day with sightseeing at Waimea Canyon and checking out the seals, turtles and sunset at Poipu Beach.

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.