We decided to get wet in the mountains today. All wet. All day. Met up with Allison, Art, Cisco and Quan in the historical sanctuary for fugitives. Sort of fitting. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Making our way up the rutted trail that only a dirt biker can love. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Trail

Light showers moisturized our bodies and the trail. Somebody asked about flash floods. Plan B? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Trail

Entering the introduced pine tree forest that was planted to retard the erosion brought on by the introduced cows and pigs.

Trail

We soon left the trail and dropped down the steep flank of the ridge where our progress was thankfully slowed by the invasive strawberry guava trees.

Trail

Art descending down to the stream …

Kahawainui Stream

… that was covered in a tangled thicket of mangrove trees.

Kahawainui Stream

We had to contort our bodies to fit over, through and under the twisted and often rotting branches that were floored by slippery rocks. Did everybody stretch before the hike? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

Snap, Crackle and Pop. We’re not talking about breakfast cereal here. Treading on the often rotten branches could be more harmful to your health than a sugary bowl of morning goodness. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Cisco going through a relatively “open” area of the “trail.” Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Low clearance. Glad none of us were basketball players. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Out of the woods. Not quite yet. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

It wasn’t pretty. But whatever works. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Fighting against the current, just like migratory salmon. Except we’re not spawning, just hiking.

Kahawainui Stream

Quan going against the flow. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Cisco preparing to climb up through some boulders.

Kahawainui Stream

Out of the stream and back into the water. Ice cold water. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Human anchor pressed into service. My nickel rate must not be keeping up with inflation. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

All this running water. Bathroom break? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

Allison working her way up to the next waterfall.

Kahawainui Stream

What waterfall is this? Who’s counting? Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Quan climbing her way to the top.

Kahawainui Stream

Can we climb that waterfall?

Kahawainui Stream

Perhaps not.

Kahawainui Stream

Rock hopping our way up the stream. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

The group deciding on which direction to wade through the pool of brown water.

Kahawainui Stream

Using the trees to pull ourselves up to go around the twin waterfalls. Photo by Art Young.

Forever 21

Happy belated Birthday Cisco!

Kahawainui Stream

Climbing up the side of the waterfall … Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

… that was a two-tiered fall.

Kahawainui Stream

Somebody wanted to take a bath in the ice cold water. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

It was wet, cold and exhausting trying to pull myself up this particular waterfall. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

So we decided to detour up and around the hill to bypass the fall. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Going up another two-tiered waterfall. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

The group trying to stay dry as long as possible by avoiding the water on a waterfall hike.

Kahawainui Stream

Climbing up the moss slicked rocks. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Watching the rest of the group climb their way up. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Somebody really liked playing in the water. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

The waterfall that stopped us dead in our tracks. The flow was too strong to climb up and no place to be seen to detour.

Ridge

We decided to make like a tree and leave. Straight up bushwhacking on a uluhe infested spur ridge. Whose idea was this?

Ridge

Sucking pollen and dust in as we plowed our way through the interlocking and clawing ferns.

Ridge

We soon reached the top of the ridge line and after some crude wayfinding, we determined that the trail was below us somewhere. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Art dropped down to the trail and yelled out that the descent wasn’t that bad. Somebody was extremely glad to be back on a “real trail.”

All pau

Going back to our cars after our waterlogged hike. Fun day with good friends. Need to go back and finish the hike one day. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. Hot soup does a body good.

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.

Hurricane Lester chased us off the mountains and into some deep waterfalls this Labor Day Weekend. I had been talking to Scott earlier as the approaching mass of rotating storms had canceled both our three day weekend hikes. He agreed to show us the 18 waterfalls of Laie, as he had hiked the canyons multiple times. Three times to be exact. Met up with Ani, Chris, John, Scott, Shirley, Stuart, and Yoly at Laie.

Laie Trail

We all met at the ball field and looked up at the blue skies. What hurricane? The good news was that we wouldn’t be swept away in a flash flood in the confined canyons. The group pushed off a little behind schedule. Hawaiian time. At least somebody would be buying lunch. Right?

Trailhead

Group photo left to right: Stuart, Scott, Yoly, myself, Shirley, Ani, John and Chris. Have permits, will hike.

Scrambling Hills

Hikers straight ahead. Dirt bikers to the right.

Laie Trail

The group going up the eroded section of the trail.

Laie Trail

Something new. Leave a bottle. Donate a nickel. Pretty sad when people can’t pack out what they pack in.

Laie Trail

Edible fungus? Shade for bugs. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Laie Trail

Panoramic view of the trail going up. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Strawberry guava

Trail snacks. Ripe for the picking. No spitting. No spreading. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Norfolk Pine Trees

Looking for the junction and the proverbial needle (pine tree) in the haystack (grove of pine trees).

Laie Trail

We couldn’t find the big tree amongst the other big trees, so we continued up the trail. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Laie Falls

Group photo at the junction. Now would be a good time to waterproof.

Laie Falls Trail

Headed down into Kahawainui Gulch.

Laie Falls Trail

We can hear water!

Waterfall #2

Some people just can’t sit still for long. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Waterfall #2

Shirley taking the dry way up.

Waterfall #1

Yoly already on the top. No more waterfalls ahead.

Waterfall #1

John taking the wet way up.

Waterfall #3

Time to go, as other hikers started to make their way down. Who’s in charge of counting the waterfalls? Shirley?

Waterfall #4

Too steep and slippery to climb down, time to contour.

Waterfall #4

Chris making his way down.

Waterfall #4

Looking back. Photo by John Caicedo.

Waterfall #5

Scott stepping his way down.

Waterfall #5

The water was cold. Ice cold. Well, at least refrigerator cold.

Waterfall #6

Time to break out the webbing.

Waterfall #6

Shirley making her way down.

Waterfall #6

What are you waiting for? Take the plunge. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Laie Falls Trail

Have life vest, will float.

Waterfall #7

Waterfall leads to pools. Deep pools. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Waterfall #7

Sunbeam for Stuart.

Waterfall #8

Scott making his way down.

Waterfall #8

Who’s counting? Stuart? Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Waterfall #9

Ani making her way down the slippery rocks under Scott’s watchful eye.

Waterfall #10

Going down the water slide. Nature’s waterpark. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Waterfall #10

Stuart trying to delay the inevitable. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Laie Falls Trail

The canyon walls seemed to contract and expand as we made our way downstream.

Waterfall #11

Time to contour again. Don’t trust that old rope.

Laie Falls Trail

Stuart and Yoly threading their way down through the dense pocket of strawberry guava trees.

Laie Falls Trail

Lunch time for some … Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Waterfall #13

… while John, Shirley, Stuart and Yoly climbed up to see the waterfalls that we had contoured around. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Waterfall #11

Instagram photo of the day. How many likes can I get? Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Waterfall #12

Yoly and Stuart making their way down. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Laie Falls Trail

Going back to rejoin the rest of the group. Somebody was getting restless. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Laie Falls Trail

Over the rocks. Under the branches.

Laie Falls Trail

Rock hopping down the stream.

Laie Falls Trail

Walk or wade. Take your pick.

Waterfall #14

Looking back at twin waterfalls. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Laie Falls Trail

Does this count as a waterfall?

Laie Falls Trail

Low clearance ahead.

Waterfall #15

Looking back. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Waterfall #16

Stuart climbing down into the pool.

Waterfall #16

Hey guys, turn around. Group photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Waterfall #16

One climbing in, one swimming and one getting out. Rinse and repeat. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Waterfall #16

Shirley and Chris taking memories. Photographic memories.

Laie Falls Trail

Stuart rock hopping down the stream.

Waterfall #17

Chris and Shirley scrambling over the mossy rocks.

Laie Falls Trail

Chris trying not to get wet. More wet.

Waterfall #18

Who needs rope? Not John.

Waterfall #18

Ani making her way down. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Waterfall #18

The last waterfall discharging into the deep pool.

Laie Falls Trail

Stuart making his way downstream. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Laie Falls Trail

The waterfalls had ended and now we had to find our way out of the canyon and back onto the ridge.

Laie Falls Trail

Yoly wading through a pool ringed with ginger scented flowers.

Laie Falls Trail

Splish, splash, the camera was taking a bath. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Laie Falls Trail

The group heading into the hau jungle gym.

Laie Falls Trail

We were hanging and walking on branches suspended over the gulch floor. Snap, crackle and pop.

Laie Falls Trail

It felt like we were trying to extricate ourselves out of a giant spider web of mossy hau branches.

Laie Falls Trail

Somebody was happy to get out of the thicket of hau trees. Skipping happy. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Laie Falls Trail

Ani threading her way up through the densely packed strawberry guava trees.

Laie Falls Trail

The trees thinned out as we neared the top of the ridge.

Laie Trail

Back on the trail again.

Laie Trail

Still looking for that junction? Just look for that big tree.

Laie Trail

Where’s the fire?

All pau

Wet. Muddy. Tired. Happy. Not necessarily in that order.

GPS Tracks

Our waterlogged hike covered 8.54 miles. We saw 18 waterfalls, give or take. Which begs the question, what defines a waterfall? Water? Falls? Amazing adventure with fun friends. Post hike meal. Seven Brothers? Mormon Sunday. North Shore Tacos it is. Cut the dessert six ways. Let me get a knife. We also unwittingly provided embarrassing and entertaining conversation for the lady sitting next to us. You are most welcome.

Note: I have been made aware the some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. It is not advisable to hike to waterfalls during heavy rain as one will be at risk to flash flood conditions and falling rocks. 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.

Rainy weather diverted us from one section of the Ko’olaus to another section. That’s how Gen, Jose, Justin, Thessa and myself found ourselves in Laie. Thanks to Matt who woke up early to ferry us to the other side. For naught. Back to sleep.

Morning yoga

We had some time to join together as we waited for Thessa.

Trailhead

Bodily functions taken care of. Alcohol transferred. Ready to hike. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Pine trees

Norfolk or Cook Pine – Which is it?

Strawberry guava trees

Leaving the shaded corridors of pine and strawberry guava trees and mud behind.

Laie Falls

Passing the swimming hole and twin waterfalls fed by Kahawainui Stream.

Trail

The rest of the hike to the summit was on a graded trail through native forest.

Fire in the hole

These trenches were dug back in WW2 and were to be filled with explosives to block the trail, in case of a Japanese land invasion.

Laie trail

The Wahiawa Camp of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) finished Wailele Trail in 1935. After WW2, the trail became known as the Laie Trail.

Laie Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Thessa, Gen, myself, Justin and Jose.

Laie Summit

Another group photo at the windy 2,240′ top looking out towards the Waianae Mountain Range.

Big Island Boy

I don’t smoke … ( pause ) … tobacco.

Trail

Talk of past and desired relationships forced us off the summit and back on the trail.

Trail

The crew climbing out of the bowl shaped depression.

Fence line

Our first contact with the infamous KST fence. Love it or hate it.

Fence line

The fence soon lead us straight to the cabin. Just like bread crumbs.

Outhouse

I smell no sh*t. I see no sh*t. It was pretty nasty. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Koloa Cabin

Justin opening the door to his first cabin visit. His cabin cherry was broken.

Cabin life

Our original plan was to push towards the Army Cabin and overnight there. Given the distance left and the looming rain clouds, we decided to stay put. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Cabin fever

Birthday cupcake. Is that a spam musubi in your underwear or are you just glad to see me? Abused animated characters. Well at least one was abused.

Cabin idol

Somebody please take Kikaida and Mickey Mouse away from them! Just blame the alcohol laced hot chocolate.

Cabin mouse

“Twas the rainy and windy night on the Ko’olaus, when all through the cabin; rustling space blankets were stirring under snug and restless hikers; when there arose such a calamitous clatter, as our collective slumber was pierced by riotous screaming and a body falling; I struggled from my bunk to see what was the matter; a f*cking mouse pitter – pattered by my face was the colorful expletive that was offered.

Goodbye cabin

Group photo of us checking out from the best KST cabin.

Hello sunrise

It was a chilly morning to catch the cloudy sunrise. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Making our way on the Windward side of the trail.

Scenic rock

Sometimes you just have to stop and soak in the Leeward views. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Switching back to the Windward side.

Mud circle

Taking stock of our muddy footwear. The worst was yet to come.

Trail

Crossing over to the sheltered and overgrown Leeward side.

Trail

Switching back to the Windward side. Back and forth. Up and down.

Koolau Range lobelia

Glimpse of a rare native plant in bloom.

Trail

Passing through a small stand of native loulou palm trees.

Trail

Burrowing through some overgrowth.

Papali junction

Let’s take a break, shall we?

Spartan Mud Race II

When push comes to shove. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Back on the fence line again.

Mud

Knee deep. Not that bad.

Junction

Left? Right? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Mud

Waist deep. Seriously? Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Trail

We soon approached the wooden cabin, that had mountain views and a kitchen sink!

Cabin life

Hello and goodbye. Photos by Justin Hirako.

Opaeula Cabin

We left the cabin behind along with Gen and Jose who decided to stay another night in the mountains.

Mud

Justin wanted to see for himself if the mud was really that deep. It was.

Trail

Back on the KST.

Trail

Goodwill was alive and well in the mountains. Need a spare glove?

Trail

Justin and Thessa making their way along the fence line.

Trail

Looking ahead as the fence line wrapped around the ridge and disappeared into the clouds.

Trail

Justin and Thessa making their way across the open field to re-connect to the KST.

Boot Junction

Watching the clouds rolling into the mountains. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Pu’u Ohulehule rising from the floor of Kahana Valley.

KST

Looking out towards the contour trail carved below the ridgeline of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Shaka

Sharing some aloha on the trail. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Are we there yet? Not quite.

Cabin interruptus

We met Dave Fahrenwald who had hiked in from Poamoho and was headed towards the Army Cabin. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Wind gauge

Passing the wind gauge station. We picked up our pace as we knew the summit was close.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako at the 2,520′ summit. Hey, we actually got a view!

Trail

Time and weather did not look favorable for a cabin visit, so we headed down the muddy trail.

Got mail?

No mail for hikers, just hunters.

End of unmaintained trail

All smiles now. The rest of the trail was graded and downhill. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Justin trotting down the trail.

Sunset

Photo by Justin Hirako.

Poamoho trailhead

Trail meets road. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Ribbit

If I kiss you, will you turn into a 4×4?

Rainy road

What’s better than walking down a six mile jeep road? In the dark. In pouring rain. Yeah. That’s the ticket. The one way ticket.

All pau

Shout out to Chris Bautista who picked us up and drove us to Laie and Moanalua Valley to retrieve our cars. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. Justin appreciated the extra wait for his food. Made it more tasty.

GPS Tracks

The two day cabin hike covered 23.05 miles over and through the rugged and wild Northern Ko’olaus. Fantastic fun filled weekend with great friends.

Chris B and myself joined the HTMC on their hike to a sharp peak on a rugged ridge in Kahana Valley. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trailhead

We met up with the group and were briefed by Grant, the hike leader and then moved our cars to the visitor parking inside the valley to begin our hike.

Trail

Single file shuffle.

Dam crossing

The group crossing Kahawainui Stream.

Nakoa trail

Which way guys? Straight?

Uphill

The group walking through a stand of lauhala trees.

Uluhell

HTMC had cleared the lower portion of the trail earlier, but the remaining part to the top was steep and heavily overgrown.

Looking back

Looking out towards Kahana Valley, the former playground for the US Army during WW2.

Short, steep and sweet

Looking ahead to the summit of Pu’u O Kila. It took us only 90 minutes to get to the top. Huffing and puffing 90 minutes. Still only an hour and a half.

Steep

Who needs rope where we’re going?

Puu O Kila

Click here for the larger image. The 1,520′ summit was quite sparse in terms of space and views.

Bushwhacking

I had asked earlier about the possibility of breaking away from the group and doing the connector ridge from the summit to Ohulehule. Word was that it was probably not doable anymore. Key word on probably. We separated from the group and forged ahead on the connector ridge. Rain clouds looked promising.

Fiddlehead

Toss them in a pan with butter and sea salt. Drizzle with lemon juice. Serve.

Trail

The ridge started to get overgrown as we pushed forward.

Kahana Valley

Click here for the larger image.

Ridge

We had some rock climbing to break the monotony of the heavy overgrowth.

Ridge

Chris swinging around a tree to get back on the ridge.

Ridge

This rocky section reminded me of the second peak of Paku’i.

Looking back

Leaving Pu’u O Kila behind us. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ridge

Typical ridge hike filled with multiple short ups and downs. Some sections were narrow and crumbly.

Pu’u Koile

Group photo at the 1,660′ summit. There was another connector ridge to the KST. Another hike for another day.

Ridge

We were within striking distance of Pu’u Ohulehule. Or was that hiking distance?

Ridge

Chris “Machete” Bautista hacking away at the overgrowth.

Uluhell

The struggle was real. Steep and heavily overgrown climb to the junction.

Junction

We took a breather after battling through all that overgrowth.

Pu’u Ohulehule

Talk about summiting Ohulehule was dispelled by the rapidly accumulating cloud cover at the top.

Ridge

We turned left and started our descent down the Northwest ridge.

True Manamana and Two Apes Talking

A possible loop hike for another day?

Stream crossing

We dropped down from the ridge and started making our way through the valley.

Looking back

The rugged ridge we had just traversed behind us.

Hidden dragon

Where was the crouching tiger?

Trail

Chris walking next to the gurgling stream.

Stream crossing

No flash flood conditions today.

Nakoa trail

We meet again.

That dam crossing

No swinging or swimming in the water for us today.

All pau

We walked back to the trailhead and the barking dogs. Leashed.

GPS Tracks

The scenic hike covered a scant 7 miles through sometimes steep, narrow and overgrown ridges. Post hike meal at Waiahole Poi Factory. Scratch that. Closed. Next stop. Zippy’s.

Our group consisting of Alex, Chris B, Chris C, Gen, Glenn, Jasmin, Ryan and myself met up with the HTMC for this normally restricted trail in Haleiwa. The combined group numbered at least two dozen. Our plan was to separate from the HTMC group at the Kawailoa summit and go down the Laie trail. Bernice, Erik and Patrick had the same idea. Hiking minds think alike.

The less traveled road

After Ralph, the HTMC hike leader, sorted out who were traversing the Koolaus and who was coming back, we all piled into several trucks to drive to the trailhead.

Don’t follow the arrow

Our truck was the last to reach the trailhead. We all jumped out and went into the bushes.

Open field

One of the HTMC hikers, Patrick, explained to us that the club encourages these hikes as they keep trails like these alive. The Wahiawa Camp of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a public work relief program to help out the unemployed during the Great Depression, built this trail back in 1934. Walking on history.

Cleared trail

The club had cleared roughly half the trail to the summit two weeks earlier. Made the initial hike a lot easier. No bushwhacking involved.

No breaks

The hiking pace was steady without breaks. Those HTMC hikers are hardcore! Gen was trying to catch up to Peg Foster, a silver haired hiker that put many of us to shame.

Uluhe

Glad the head high uluhe fern sections were cleared. Can’t imagine swimming through those thickets of forked ferns.

Not so cleared

The trail soon became muddier in terms of overgrowth and literally. But thanks to the hard work of Gordon Junior Lau and Roger Breton, who were on point bushwhacking to the summit, it was barely a blip as we pushed forward. The mud we couldn’t help but notice, thanks to its constant presence and the numerous shrieks from Nanae.

Kawailoa Wind Farm

Providing 69 megawatts of power to the public and bumping off bats and birds since 2012. Photo by Ryan Meyers.

Lunch spot?

Patrick had designated this Australian tea grove as the turn around point for those not summiting. Dale, Nanae, Svenga and Wyatt decided to head to the summit with the rest of the group. The rest of the HTMC group, including Jasmin, turned around and went back down.

Loulou Palm Tree

Passing Hawaii’s only native palm tree. No, it’s not the coconut tree.

Ridge

We are getting close. Very close.

Waianae range

Coast to coast view. True wilderness country out there. No signs of civilization as far as the eye can see.

Final push

We found Gordon and Roger resting at the base of the summit after their exhausting bushwhacking drive to the summit. Big mahalo for their help.

Kawailoa summit

Kudos to Dale for persevering and making it to the summit with us. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Helipad

Bernice and Chris B walking past the scattered planks of the Kawailoa helipad.

Kawailoa summit

Group photo at the 2,360′ summit. Standing left to right: Chris B, Patrick, Glenn, Ryan, Nanae, Wyatt and Alex. Crouching left to right: Svenga, Dale, Chris C, Gen, Bernice and Erik.

Pre-paid tickets?

The group making their way down the bowl shaped depression to gain the KST. Somebody didn’t have her pre-paid ticket to join us. I guess we can overlook it this one time.

H20

Ryan filling up for the trip back down. Patrick showed us this handy water source in case we ever found ourselves parched in this neck of the woods. I also got to try out my spanking brand new Steripen. Ryan didn’t get sick, so I guess it worked.

KST

Patrick and Ryan making their way along the winding Koolau Summit Trail.

Laie summit

Another summit, another view. We can only hope.

Horse shoe

Group photo in the foxhole at the 2,240′ summit, right before the clouds wiped out the views.

Laie trail

Another CCC project that was finished in 1935, that was originally called the Wailele Trail.

Koolau Range lobelia

Only found on Oahu.

Mud trail

I was half expecting to hear more shrieks. Thankfully only the sounds of conversation floated through the air.

Landslide

The only notable landslide seen on the trail.

Laie

Going down, we noticed several trenches on the side of the trail that were dug by the Army in WW2 in case the Japanese invaded. They would have packed them with explosives to prevent the Japanese from using the trail. Now you know the rest of the story.

Follow the sign

The trail going down to Kahawainui Stream.

Going down

Descending down to the falls.

Swimming hole

Half of us jumped into the water and the other half cleaned their shoes and spikes.

Laie Falls

Group photo at the 15′ waterfalls. Dale and Erik elected to stay topside and waited for us to come back up.

Tree hugger

Some people just have to hug.

Cook or Norfolk?

Hiking through the towering conifers.

Dirt hiking

No dirt bikers on the trails today. We had it all to ourselves.

Casual hiking

Soggy shoes leads to slipper hiking.

All pau

The group taking a collective rest as we stepped off the official end/beginning of Laie trail. Now, it was just a short walk to our cars.

Got signs?

I think we got the message. The colorful signs and wording seemed to have been toned down from my last visit here.

GPS Tracks

The crossing of the KST from Haleiwa to Laie covered 17.68 miles but a good 5 miles of that was paved road. Many thanks to HTMC for hosting and keeping trails such as these open for hikers. Post hike meal at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers. Happy hour. Happy hikers.