We spent Veteran’s Day Weekend camping and hiking in the Waianae Mountains. Big shout out to Alexis for driving Stuart and myself to the end of the island to start our hike.

Kaena Point

Trying to tie my shoe laces in the wee hours of the morning with makapiapia still in my eyes. Thanks to Alexis for taking my trash back with her. Pack in, pack out. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kaena Point

We followed the railroad track remnants along the coastline to the base of the ridge.

Kaena Point

Passing the second WW2 bunker on our way up the darkened ridge.

Kaena Point

Somebody left the lights on. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station

This place has been around since statehood. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kuaokala Trail

We crossed paths with gun toting hunters and their pig sniffing dogs on the trail.

Kaena Point

Back on the road again. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kuaokala Trail

We had a quick breakfast at the picnic shelter before setting foot back on the trail.

Kuaokala Trail

Sunlight breaking over the trail. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kuaokala Trail

Following the signed junction as we made our way up the slight, rocky incline.

Kuaokala Trail

Drinking in our early morning views. Better than a cup of coffee to get you jump started.

Kuaokala Trail

Stuart standing on picture rock.

Kuaokala Trail

Following the fence line down.

Kuaokala Trail

Stuart passing through the sun beams on the trail.

Kuaokala Trail

Veering off the beaten trail to gain higher ground.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Contact with the ubiquitous fence line that increasingly dominates both mountain ranges.

WST

Taking temporary leave of the fence line as we followed a thick half buried communications cable.

Moku

Passing the geodic marker as we turned right on the trail.

Pahole Reserve

Entering the protected habitat of rare endemic fauna and flora.

WST

Treading carefully with exaggerated facial expressions.

WST

Soaking in the raw character of the Waianae Mountains.

Slippah Tree

The Waianae Mountain’s answer to the KST Boot Junction.

WST

Stuart following the fence line down amidst the backdrop of fluted ridges cascading down into Makua Valley.

WST

Passing the Mokuleia trail junction.

WST

Panoramic view from the Mokuleia lookout. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Rat Country

Stuart doing his part to keep the rodent population in check. Pesticide free.

WST

Pulling ourselves up the steep incline one fence hold at a time.

WST

The overcast cloud conditions kept the notorious Waianae heat dialed down.

WST

Dropping down to the lowland forest with an abundance of sprawling spider webs.

WST

Looking ahead to Three Corners. Almost there. Just a couple more ups and downs.

WST

Looking into the bomb blistered valley. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Have machete in hand, will bushwhack.

WST

Looking out towards the Mokuleia coastline and the windmills pinwheeling in the distance.

WST

Stuart pushing up the last hill towards the summit of three valleys.

Three Corners

Valley views of Makua, Makaha and Mokuleia were actually in evidence today.

WST

Short and suffocating trek on the ridge that connects to Ka’ala.

WST

Stuart dropping off the uluhell infested ridge and onto the road.

Ka’ala Road

Somebody was talking about a 20 minute walk up to the top. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Ka’ala Road

Hairy balls road.

Ka’ala Road

Approaching the defunct radar station that is now home to an active cellular communications tower.

Ka’ala Road

End of the cloud soaked road.

Mount Ka’ala

We made it to the shelter at 1430, just before the raindrops started to fall. Perfect timing.

Mount Ka’ala

Stuart strung up his tarp to keep most of the wind blown rain from our sleeping accommodations. Sleeping on concrete buffered by an air mattress never felt so good.

Mount Ka’ala

Rain tucked us to sleep and woke us up. It was going to be a wonderful day. Reverse psychology doesn’t seem to work in the mountains.

Mount Ka’ala

Stuart on the boardwalk.

Mount Ka’ala

Looking for the ridge in the cloud and rain soaked bog. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Making my way down the slippery boulder section. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Stuart preparing to take his “leap of faith” between the moss slicked boulders.

WST

Looking back at the rocky edifice made even more surreal by the grey rain clouds.

WST

Isometric exercises in the mountains. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

When nature gives you water, just open your mouth and drink up.

WST

Stuart being swallowed up by the unchecked overgrowth on the trail. Where is that machete? Shortly after this section, I was torn between a difficult decision on whether to render immediate aid or take a picture of what was actually transpiring. I picked the first option, which was to remove a branch of thimbleberry thorns that had somehow gotten lodged in Stuart’s eyelid! Believe it or not.

WST

Pushing our way up the rain soaked ridge. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Stuart crossing over the notched ridge.

WST

Dropping off the ridge and contouring to regain the ridge. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Pu’u Kalena

Missing the views at the 3,504′ summit, but not the rain. Rain, rain, go away. Nursery rhymes don’t seem to work up here. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

When you’re looking for your bite valve and it’s sitting on your shoulder strap. Luckily glasses weren’t involved as well.

WST

The ridge widened at some sections with pockets of pine trees.

WST

Wind milling my way up the ridge in a futile effort to keep warm. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Looking out at sexxxy ridge to our right as it dropped off into the murky clouds.

WST

Walking in the clouds on the narrow rock dike. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Descending down from Pu’u Ku Makali’i on the rain slicked rock dike as we heard intermittent booming guns from the ranges below us.

WST

Entering the forested section which helped to keep some of the rain at bay.

WST

Watching the clouds drift over bunker pocked Lualualei Valley and the forbidden miniature mountain.

WST

Spotted a me not so horny invasive critter that has made themselves home in the mountains. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Stuart dropping down to the lowest point in the Waianae Mountain Range.

WST

We followed a set of overgrown steps into the valley floor that was littered with bright yellow colored bags, and decided not to let curiosity get the better of us.

WST

Let’s not dawdle through these parts.

Kolekole Pass Road

Hiking in the rain the entire day and with no let up in sight and another rainy day forecasted for the next day, we decided to throw in the towel for safety and comfort reasons and made our way down the road, passing the now silent ranges.

Kolekole Pass Road

You never know what one will find in these abandoned WW2 bunkers.

Kolekole Pass Road

This is my rifle, this is for fighting…

All pau

… this is my gun, this is for fun. Thanks to Mitsy for picking us up on base.

GPS Tracks

Our abbreviated two day camping hike covered 21.83 miles through the wild flavor of the Waianae Mountains. It was still an amazing adventure with a good buddy. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse. Thanks to Mitsy for putting up with our carnivorous appetites.

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.

I had a hankering to revisit the entire Waianae Summit Trail. Helping me to scratch that itch again was Chris, Gen and Jose. Shout out to Brian who dropped us off deep in Waianae Valley.

Trailhead

A friendly hunter greeted us and advised us to sign in, just in case we got lost. Hmmm. We then talked about the hanging cloud system over Ka’ala and hoped it would clear up. The hunter quickly dissuaded us from such foolish notions, by saying it was sticking around. All day. And then some. Really? And then some?

The long road

Walking up the paved road. Loving it. Not. Click here for the larger image.

Harvest time

Waianae Farmer’s Market is now open. Bring your own knives.

The dirt trail

We left the road behind us and started following the purple caps and ribbons as we made our way up. Hiking bread crumbs. No time for picnicking.

Steady climb

Nothing like a good cardio workout to get your juices flowing in the morning.

Three poles

Scenic break overlooking Waianae Valley.

Follow the fence

We ran into a hiker that had returned from attempting to summit. He ran into the boulder section and couldn’t get past the slippery rocks. Better safe than sorry.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image of Bolo Head Ridge, Waianae Valley, Kamaileunu and Ohikilolo Ridges. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Boulders

Gen working her way up.

Slippery when wet

Safe. Not sorry.

Native forest

Chris making the final steep climb to the summit.

Mount Ka’ala

Group photo at the highest point on the island at 4,025′, left to right: Jose, myself, Gen and Chris.

On the boardwalk

Keeping our feet dry.

Off the boardwalk

Getting our feet wet.

Jewels of the forest

We ran across some native Hawaiian tree snails, of which only 25 known species are known to exist. Their habitats are found at the cooler, higher mountain elevations.

Got moss?

There was an actual flagged trail running through the misty bog that we followed.

Boggy day

Rain, rain go away.

Raindrops keep falling on our heads

Jose making his way down the cloudy exposed ridge.

Look out below

Gen getting ready to climb down the steep, rain slicked boulders.

Next

Chris making his way down.

Leap of faith

Jose looking back at the small gap that we had to get over.

Boulders in the mist

Inspected the inviting boulders. One day.

Heavy burden

Somebody always has to be different in the group. Guess who?

Hello fence

Abundant and abusive blackberry thorns became a major obstacle along this section. Hawaiian barbed wire. Ouch for miles.

Clearing up

We dropped in elevation below the cloud deck to gather some views and enjoyed a brief respite from the thorns in our sides.

Soaking in the views

Somebody was yelling about the views. She was drowned out in the mountain’s vast silence.

Scenic view

Click here for the larger image.

Landslide

Erosion at work.

Overgrown

Time for some trail clearing action. Break out the machete.

Hobbs terminus

Chris passing the junction with the spur ridge that comes up from Waianae Valley.

All smiles

We said goodbye to those pesky blackberry thorns. Or so we thought. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Ohia lehua

Brushing past the numerous crimson colored flowering evergreen trees. Make it rain.

Summit in sight

Getting closer to the top of Puu Kalena.

Fence interreptus

The fence line was soon interrupted by the earth that was rent asunder. Or something like that.

Climbing down

One person at a time.

Spikes?

Gen about to climb down a steep section. Needed extra traction.

Climbing up

Jose reaching for a hold to pull himself up.

Mossy ohia tree

Have a seat. Sign in. Make yourself comfortable.

Puu Kalena

Jumping for joy at the second highest peak on the island at 3,504′. I guess nobody gave me the memo.

Hitchhiker

Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly away home …

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Going down

Gen heading down from the summit.

Puu Ka’ilio

Looking down at the forbidden mountain.

Sumigaw!

The scream of nature. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Skinny section

Single file shuffle.

SeXXXy ridge

We hopped over the fence to pay a visit to sexy. ridge. that is. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Waiting

Patiently. Before the wind pushed me off the rock. Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Twister on the rocks

Everybody’s here. Say cheese.

Looking back

That was a fun little detour.

Dike crossing

The crew crossing the narrow sheeted rock.

Pu’u Kalena

The nipple of the Waianae mountain range.

Junction

Time to take our leave of the fence and head down. Missed that memo again.

Narrow dike

It was a little windy as we made our way down the steep descent.

Looking up

Coming down the mountain. Here we come. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Kolekole Pass

Making our way down to the lowest section on the Waianae range.

Surfing the mountain

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Martians

Gen and Chris against the backdrop of the red, crumbly rock.

Sliding down

Making our way down the washed out section. Photo by Chris Bautista.

All pau

We dropped down onto Kolekole Pass Road and were picked up by Chris’s brother, Jonathan. Thank you!

GPS Tracks

The mountain and ridge hike covered a distance of roughly nine miles. Fun times with good friends. Post hike meal at Outback. Can’t go wrong with clam chowder and prime rib.

We visited Schofield Barracks to climb the 2,883 foot mountain of Pu’u Hapapa, a trail that is reportedly rarely hiked and maintained. The last time we were here, we had hiked Pu’u Kalena, which ended with us on top of Oahu’s second highest mountain.

Kolekole Pass Rock

The trailhead is clearly marked by signs that say “Warning Dangerous Trails Ahead.” We went down the dirt path which led us up wooden steps and arrived at the Kolekole Pass Rock or Pohaku Hupeloa, which was supposedly used as a chopping block for some unfortunate Hawaiians. After one of our hiking group, Lianne, demonstrated how the rock was used, we continued around a communications tower and took the next two left forks.

The notched ridge

We came to this open meadow, where views of Lualualei valley awaited us at the edge and then we saw the ridge that we had to climb in order to get to the top, we would start from the left going to the right, until we made the summit of Pu’u Hapapa.

Paper bark trees

We walked past more danger signs on the far left of the meadow to get back on the trail which soon entered a grove of paper bark trees, that we followed to get to the top of the ridge.

First notch

We used the dirt and grass trail that is on the left hand side of the first notch to make the climb.  To mix things up, when we came back down, we climbed down the rockface of the first notch which made it a tad more challenging.

Looking back

Looking back, we saw the rock formation that juts out right before the first notch.

Second notch

When we started going up the second notch, the wind really started gusting and we actually started to feel a little chilly.

Ridge

After we climbed the two notches, it was pretty much straight forward ridge hiking to the top of Pu’u Hapapa. You know you are almost to the summit, when you come across the fence that is supposed to keep the goats and pigs out.

Top of Pu'u Hapapa

It took us about two hours to reach the top of Pu’u Hapapa, with great views of Lualualei valley and the Waianae coast below us.

Mount Ka'ala and Pu'u Kalena

Looking to our right, we saw Kolekole Pass and the Waianae mountain range. We also noticed that some hikers had stapled toy soldiers to the slats that marked the top of the mountain.

Central Oahu

A view of Schofield Barracks, which is where the toy soldiers came from real soldiers?

That's the ridge we're supposed to be on!

On our way down, we took a right turn by mistake, which would have made our hike into a loop except we didn’t know how far off we would end up at. So we ended up backtracking up the ridge to go back down the correct ridge. Nothing like a little extra cardio exercise to spice up one’s hike!

Bunny ears

Going back down the trail, we noticed that the Easter Bunny had left his/her ears on one of the trees. We didn’t find any Easter eggs waiting for us at our cars after 4 1/2 hours hiking, so we had lunch at Dot’s in Wahiawa and called it a day.