Waterfall weekend. All weekend long. Met up with Chris B, Dale, Donald and Justin in Hau’ula to explore Kaipapau Gulch.

Trailhead

Safe from the neighborhood dogs. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Nice day

The rain that was pounding the rest of the island still hadn’t caught up with us.

Red dirt

We passed the junction to the bunkers on our way down to the stream.

Kaipapau Stream

Everybody was trying not to get their feet wet on the first crossing. Some were more successful than the others.

Forest crossing

Why did the hikers cross the stream? To get to the other side.

Stream crossing

We were going to crisscross the stream for at least 30 more times until we got to the waterfall. Who’s keeping count? Not me.

Forest crossing

Hiking underneath the tree filtered sunlight.

Stream crossing

The multiple stream crossings were for the most part, marked by faded numbered ribbons, denoting the crossing number.

Counting streams

How many stream crossings have we done so far? Anybody keeping count? Donald? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Stream crossing

Towards the end of the gulch, it became easier to walk in the streambed than crisscrossing from bank to bank. Just stay wet.

Kaipapau Gulch

The canyon walls soon started to rise and close in as we made our way further upstream. Not as claustrophobic as nearby gulches.

Rock falls

The discharge rate increased, a telling sign that we were getting closer to the waterfall.

Almost there

We climbed over the jumbled rocks and boulders that were collected near the base of the falls.

Kaipapau Gulch Falls

The 90′ waterfall. Quite the show.

Kaipapau Gulch Falls

Slippery when wet. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Kaipapau Gulch Falls

Group photo left to right: Chris B, Dale, Justin, Donald and myself. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Stream crossing

It was time to head back as the rain had finally caught up with us. We did not want to be stuck in a gulch under potential flash flood conditions.

Stream wading

Swimming pools of varying depths and sizes dotted the stream.

Got water?

Dale pointing to a dry waterfall chute.

Uphill

We detoured off the stream to check out another waterfall.

Waterfall

A nice horsetail waterfall.

Waterfall

Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Tree fungi

Fungus munching on fallen trees.

Noni

Cheese fruit from the coffee family. A tonic for your hiking ailments.

Stream crossing

Our last stream crossing!

Looking back

Rolling rain clouds had dropped and covered the mountains and trails with rain and water vapor.

Water tank

Passing the water tank on our way out. It was heavily graffitied from taggers.

All pau

All bark and no bite.

GPS Tracks

The gulch waterfall hike covered 8.54 miles round trip. Post hike meal at North Shore Tacos. Known for their fish tacos and lemonade. Only tried the tasty beverage.