It was supposed to have been a beautiful day today for Aida’s WST finish hike. And it was on the West side. Never take anything for granted.

Kunia

Chico parked his truck near the trailhead on this chilly morning, for Hawaii people that means in the 60s and 70s.

Kunia

Making our way through the re-routed access as roaming dogs shared our path. Lucky they were all bark and no bite.

Kaua Trail

Akira and CB balancing their way on the trail.

Kaua Trail

The pink ribbons mark the way.

Kaua Trail

We soon passed the junction with the Honouliuli Contour Trail and crossed over the fence to continue on the trail.

Kaua Trail

The grade of the trail started to get steeper as we gained elevation.

Kaua Trail

Aida negotiating her way over the slippery rocks.

Kaua Trail

Climbing up the steepest part of the trail.

Kaua Trail

Waiting near the summit as rain showers started to pelt the mountains. So much for sunny skies today.

Kaua Summit

Group photo at the third highest peak on Oahu.

Kaua Summit

We found out that there is no room for eight shoes to comfortably fit on a geodetic marker.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Pushing our way through the dense overgrowth that choked the fenced trail.

WST

Jeremy climbing his way down over boulders that periodically punctuated the trail.

WST

The boys trying to get some rhythm in the mountains.

WST

CB crossing over the fence line that we left behind us.

WST

Scattered clouds and rain made for a surreal hiking experience.

WST

Playing hot potato or in this case, cold potato in the mountains.

WST

Threading our way down through what CB called the mini-Pohakea Pass.

WST

The rest of the group contouring their way around the rocks.

WST

Where do we go?

WST

We go this way.

WST

CB climbing his way down as the rest of the group waited their turn.

WST

Watching everybody from my perch.

WST

CB dropping down the next rock climb.

WST

Aida making her way down as the rest of the group watched her progress.

WST

Looking behind as Roger and Jeremy were the last ones making their way down, as the rain clouds stopped watering the mountains. Thank you very much.

WST

It’s been awhile.

WST

It’s this way guys!

WST

I think, no need webbing.

WST

Somebody accidentally almost bumped me off the ridge, as I think he was trying to give me a natural high.

WST

The rest of the group making their way across the short ledge. Wait, why is the marine using the webbing?

WST

Resuming our hike.

WST

Making our way on the rocky trail that was mostly populated with low lying trees, cacti and dry grass.

WST

CB taking the higher “road.”

WST

Tessa climbing her way down the narrow crumbly slot.

WST

Taking a break at our former camp site as we waited for Chico who decided to take a detour to get in more cardio time.

WST

Chico clearing dead trees from the forest. I think he was vying to get a spot on the HTMC trail clearing team.

Pohakea Pass Junction

#24 – My customary champagne celebration as we congratulated Aida for completing her last segment needed to finish the 26 mile Waianae Summit Trail. Two feathers in her cap now.

Pohakea Pass Junction

This also marked my #11 finish of the trail that was carved out of this ancient shield volcano that forms the Western half of the island. When am I going to Disneyland?

Pohakea Pass Junction

Our sausage sandwich lunch courtesy of Chef Suzuki. Arigatou Gozaimasu.

Pohakea Pass Junction

Our last group photo of the day as the rain came back to water the mountains.

Kunia

We all scampered and slid down the rain soaked hill as we soon connected to the Honouliuli Contour Trail and back to our staged cars, where we met some hunters and their dogs going up the trail in search of game.

All pau

This is not the satellite branch of the Hawaiian Humane Society, please return the puppies.

GPS Tracks

Our double finish hike barely scratched four miles with a solid, fun group. Congrats again to Aida for finishing the WST. Post hike meal at Denny’s as the voice calling for Thai food was lost in the rain showers.

Postscript

On our ride home, we got to witness the multiple waterfalls pouring off the Ko’olau mountains due to the torrential rain. Great ending for a great day.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Jeremy Cannone, Roger Schiffman, 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.

Back on the west side for sunshine and rain showers. Equal parts. Met up with Chris, Lilyn, Quan and Tessa in Kunia to start our hike as the chickens and dogs announced our arrival.

Kunia

Who let the dog out? Give me food or I’ll bark and/or bite. All five pounds of me.

Kaua Trail

We passed the 1959 Punahou Memorial Grove as the trail wound its way through the forest floor carpeted with kukui nut shells.

Kaua Trail

The sight and smell of a pig pseudo rat hanging on the fence made somebody’s day.

Kaua Trail

No rodents were harmed in the testing of this rat trap. The irony.

Kaua Trail

The pitch of the trail picked up as the kukui nuts were soon replaced with a thick carpet of leaves which at times made the footing slippery.

Kaua Trail

Lonely hearts rock.

Kaua Trail

Quan climbing towards the summit that was marked with steep climbs and ropes and webbing of indeterminate age.

Kaua Trail

Looking back at the central plains as we neared the top.

Kaua Summit

Group photo at the ti leaf marked 3,127′ summit, the third or fourth highest peak on the island. Depends on whom you ask.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

We left the summit and some of the group decided to climb the fence instead of contouring. To each their own.

WST

Going down the uluhe fern corridor sliced open by the fence line.

WST

Dropping down the fenced ridge line as the twin obstacles started to get larger than life.

WST

Going down the front way. Where is everybody?

WST

The rest of the group decided to follow the webbing and contour their way down. To each their own.

WST

Lilyn following the fence line back to the ridge.

WST

Chris trying to see if he could climb down without using the fence.

WST

In the end, everybody used the fence.

Gorilla Heads

Climbing up the first and bigger of the Gorilla Heads. Visiting hours are open.

Gorilla Heads

Push and pull gets the job done.

Gorilla Heads

Lilyn pulling herself up and over the boulder.

Gorilla Heads

Chris going down face first.

Gorilla Heads

Lilyn coming down the steeper section of the obstacle. Maybe it’s just the angle.

Gorilla Heads

No acting was involved in the taking of this photo.

Gorilla Heads

Traversing to the smaller simian shaped rock. It’s all about angles and perspectives.

Gorilla Heads

The group coming down the last Gorilla Head.

WST

O Tannenbaum to be later corrupted to O Christmas Tree. The German song was originally written about a fir tree and later came to be adopted by the Christmas camp.

WST

All that’s missing is the mistletoe.

WST

Looking back at the twin rock formations. Visting hours are over.

WST

The cactus are not your friend in the mountains. Look but don’t touch.

WST

Making our way through the pine needle carpeted forest.

WST

Somewhere in the mountains, it’s lunchtime.

WST

Somebody wanted to join us for lunch or be lunch.

WST

Quan lowering herself down the rocks before going back up.

WST

Pushing through the tangled mess of overgrowth to reach the flat topped peak.

Pu’u Kanehoa

Come back so we can take a group photo!

Pu’u Kanehoa

Group photo at the 2,728′ summit, our second summit. No, we are not flashing peace signs.

WST

Chris passing over a severly eroded section of the trail, where another side trail takes one down to Kunia if so desired.

WST

Take my photo!

WST

Me too!

WST

The group scooting, straddling, climbing and walking over the narrow rock dike.

WST

Sighting of the bearded moss hiker.

WST

Looking for the trail in all the wrong places.

WST

Dropping below the ridge line to contour around the boulders.

WST

Trying to climb to impossible heights.

WST

Following the fenced trail in white out conditions soon to be followed by Mother Nature’s sprinkler.

Pu’u Hapapa

Okay let’s take our group photo and get out of this rain. Art, if you are reading this, this will always be the summit to me.

Pu’u Hapapa

It was perfect timing as we hit the shelter just as the rain showers came down like cats and dogs.

Pu’u Hapapa

We mulled over our exit options in the pouring rain, which were go down the loop trail which was longer but avoid the slippery rocks or go down the shorter but slippery way? Let’s throw some tupig on the barbie as we think about it.

Pu’u Hapapa

Looking back at the helipad as another hiker enjoyed the solitude and showers all to himself.

WST

We left our shelter and decided to go down the direct way to save on time and the rain started to slack off.

WST

Chris standing on the slippery rock.

WST

Going down the loop trail by mistake, until a distant voice recalled us to the more direct route.

WST

The swirling clouds painted a surreal picture of our descent down to the lowest point in the Waianae Mountain Range.

WST

Approaching the first of two notches on the trail.

WST

Chris standing on top of the second notch.

WST

Tessa climbing her way down the wet and slippery rocks.

WST

Fighting against gravity. Pushing against gravity.

WST

Are we in Machu Picchu or are we in Hawai’i?

WST

Hiking our way down the side of the cliff.

WST

Chris on the first notch with clouds soaking the ground and saturating the skies.

WST

Double shaka, near sighted and far sighted.

WST

The girls peering into the cloudy abyss.

WST

Hanging like a koala on the paperbark tree native to Australia.

WST

Last group photo at the scenic overlook as the weather cleared. Never fails.

Kolekole Pass Rock

Quan wanted a bigger stick.

All pau

The porta potties and hand washing stations were gone from the trailhead, so we started to walk down the rainy road as we had nothing else to do. Thanks to Aida and Art for picking us up at Kolekole Pass and Popeye’s and shuttling us back to our cars in Kunia.

GPS Tracks

Our hike covered 5.23 miles through the rugged terrain of the Waianae Mountains. Fun hike with good friends. Post hike meal at Thelma’s, where apparently Coke means Pepsi. I guess it must be my accent.

Photos taken by Chris Bautista, Lilyn Avendano, 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.

Met up with Bill, Lilyn and Shirley to spend Easter in the mountains this weekend.

Kunia

Thanks to Jalen who dropped us off and wished us well on our “painful” hike, how did he know?

Sunflower field

Grow them and they will come. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kunia

Heading towards the tree line. We missed it by that much. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kunia

Making our way up the short and stiff spur ridge.

Kunia

The trail was a marked departure from the last time I hiked it three years ago, as some folks had cleared the overgrowth and marked the trail. We also found somebody’s stash of chemical leached bottled water. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hono’uli’uli Contour Trail

We soon met up with the firebreak road that contours on the Windward side of the Waianae Mountain Range. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hono’uli’uli Contour Trail

Leaving the trail that spans from Kolekole Pass to Palehua Road.

Kunia

Following the trail which soon dipped into a saddle.

Kunia

Looking back into the Kunia farm lands as we gained elevation in the mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kunia

Lilyn climbing out of the saddle and up to the WST.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Stepping foot on the eroded remains of an ancient shield volcano. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Looking back as the rest of the crew emerged from the spur trail.

WST

We topped out on the ridge line just shy of Pu’u Kanehoa to be met by stiff winds and spectacular views wherever we cast our wandering eyes. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

The only sheltered spot on the ridge line from the gusting winds that dropped the air temperature and discouraged some from continuing the hike. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Photo of our group before we dwindled down to a pair of hikers.

WST

Bill and Shirley decided to explore the sheltered trails at lower elevations. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Dropping down the side of the rock face. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Two dots on the ridge line. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

WST

Lilyn making her way on the exposed ridge line buffeted by the strong winds. Nature’s air conditioning.

WST

Ready to plunge into the forested spot of the ridge line. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Breaking out of the forest and back onto the exposed ridge line.

Gorilla Heads

Meeting up with the first pair of obstacles. One small and one big. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Gorilla Heads

Lilyn working her way up the smaller rock face.

Gorilla Heads

Climbing up the bigger head. Webbing optional. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Gorilla Heads

Lilyn climbing up while trying not to lose her Chicago Cubs hat. No mean feat by itself in these windy conditions.

Gorilla Heads

Going down the backside. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Gorilla Heads

Lilyn looking for her next foothold or spot.

Gorilla Heads

Can you see the primate for the rocks? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Fence hopping. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Going up through the fence line that was interrupted by the rocky ridge line.

WST

Climbing up the fenced hill. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Lilyn overlooking the Gorilla Heads.

WST

We resumed our hilly climb to be briefly interrupted by several nasty patches of uluhe overgrowth before reaching the third highest peak.

Pu’u Kaua

Photo from the remarkably cleared 3,127′ summit.

WST

Leaving the summit and following the fence line where some spots of the trail were littered with non-potable water jugs and barrels.

WST

Enjoying the central plains view. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

We soon left the fence line behind us and started our program of rock climbing. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Lilyn angling her way down one of the rock climbs.

WST

Low center of gravity. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

High center of gravity.

WST

Lilyn contouring her way down the short and steep climb.

WST

Going down a short drop. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pohakea Pass

It was butterfly time as we made our way towards the imposing 80′ crumbly cliff. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pohakea Pass

Lilyn climbing up towards the base of the pass using ropes that have seen better days.

Pohakea Pass

Climbing straight up, always mindful of the chossy rocks. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pohakea Pass

Like somebody said, pictures do not do this climb justice.

Pohakea Pass

We both passed the pass.

WST

Lilyn scrambling back up the ridge line, thinking all the hard stuff was behind us. Think again.

WST

So far, so good.

WST

Enjoying the windy views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Pushing up the last big hill. Promise?

WST

We had to jump the fence line multiple times to stay on trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

The suffocating uluhe overgrowth and the seemingly never ending false peaks were exhausting and irritating. This was the hardest section according to the backseat hiker. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Heleakala

Looking at our original exit route which got tossed out due to lack of time. I also switched my music from headset to speaker to serve as a pseudo-navigational aid, as the overgrowth and multiple trails were a tad confusing. It also helped to drown out the broken record. I didn’t know record players could work in the mountains.

Palikea

Happy Easter from the 3,098′ ti leaf summit where I marked my sixth time finishing the WST.

Palehua

Crossing through forest land teeming with native fauna and flora.

Palehua

Keeping the feral ungulates out but the two legged primates in. Or something like that. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Palehua

Leaving the pine tree forest behind us as we enjoyed central and town views on our way out.

Palehua

Rolling through the Indiana Jones boulder tunnel. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Palehua

End of the trail for us but the beginning of the long ass road that winded down to Makakilo.

Palehua Road

Pounding the pavement as several cars passed us on the road, all failing to follow protocol.

All pau

Hit the road, Jack. And don’t you come back. No more, no more, no more, no more. Hit the road, Jack. And don’t you come back no more. A more lyrical interpretation of the greeting we received at the end of the road. Thanks to Bill and Shirley for picking us up and giving us cold carbonated beverages. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

GPS Tracks

Our 12 plus mile covered the hardest climbing section of the WST, made even more taxing by the annoying overgrowth. Post hike meal at McDonald’s where we locked our doors for peace of mind as we ate our cholesterol drenched food.

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.