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.

Chris B, Chris C, Gen and myself joined the HTMC on hiking this recently cleared trail in Hau’ula. We recognized some familiar faces in the group that included Bernice, Dale, David, Erik, Thea and Wyatt.

Maakua road

Thea, the hike coordinator, gave the standard briefing and then we all flowed down the road, parting for traffic until we came to the gate. Photo by Chris Chun.

Gate

Who has the keys?

Trailhead

The group entering the Hau’ula Loop Trail.

Stream crossing

Traffic jam. Over thirty hikers trying to cross. One at a time. Photo by David Johnson.

Switchback

The group ascending the first switchback to start the loop trail.

Kaipapau Gulch

Another hike for another day. Photo by David Johnson.

Steps

To step or not to step?

Dog leash junction

We kept to the right and followed the ridge up.

Return ridge

Looking at the ridge that we would take back down.

Trail

The trail started to get a little steep and somewhat muddy. Hang onto those plants. Photo by David Johnson.

Tree hugger

Some trees are made for hugging.

Tree break

Some trees are just made for sitting and sprawling. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Almost there

It’s almost lunch time.

Steep

The final push to the top. Photo by Chris Chun.

Ridge view

Looking back at the ridge we had just hiked. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Lunch spot

Group photo by Chris Chun, left to right: Chris C, Gen, myself and Chris B. There was a ridge at the top that connected to the Castle trail. Another hike for another day.

Deep thoughts

Some of us were thinking, while one kept talking. Perhaps it was time to go back down already. Photo by Chris Chun.

Going down

The group leaving the lunch spot and their deep thoughts behind. Photo by David Johnson.

Looking back

Dale and Chris making their way down.

Going down

The rest of the group making their way down from the top. Photo by Chris Chun.

Going up

HTMC volunteers had spent over a year clearing and opening this trail. Big mahalos for their selfless work and dedication to keeping the trails open for the rest of us.

Hanging out

Some of us took turns hanging off this sturdy ohia tree. We are easily amused. Photos by David Johnson.

Looking out

Click here for the larger image.

Black balls

Did these fruits/seeds die on the branch? Or is this how nature tells predators to forage elsewhere in the interest of self preservation? Random thoughts.

Trail

Chris leaving the last section of uluhe behind us.

Trail

The group entering the cool shade of the pine trees.

Trash day

Under Thea’s direction, we scooped up the remnants of somebody’s long abandoned shelter and took it with us. Hope no homeless person was affected by this movement. Photos by Chris Chun and David Johnson.

Trail

This trail was tailor made for jogging down with a sack of rubbish.

Junction

The loop came full circle. We’re almost out of the woods.

Where’s the dump?

We continued down the road peppered with questions from curious neighbors. It’s a body. It’s a pig. It’s just rubbish. Photo by Chris Bautista.

All pau

The trash was put into its proper place, Chris was helping himself to Justin’s fresh cut fruits and funny faces were being made. All’s right with the world. Photos by David Johnson and Genesaret Balladares.

Post hike meal

Taking out the trash made us hungry, so we all stopped at Papa Ole’s for their garlic chicken, pulehu ribs and roast pork. Group picture left side, back to front: Gen, myself, Thea, Daniel and Bernice. Right side, back to front: Chris B, Chris C, Justin, David, Dale and Erik.

GPS Tracks

The looping hike covered 5.02 miles. It was a cool little hike on the North Shore with a great hiking club.