I decided to salvage what was left of the camping weekend by introducing somebody to the “easiest” of the three main saddles on the KST.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Standing on the first of seven storied bridges that runs deep into Moanalua Valley that used to belong to Samuel Mills Damon, most known among other things, for convincing Queen Liliuokalani to give up her throne and propelled Hawaii into becoming a republic, then territory of the US and eventually the 50th State.

Kulana’ahane Trail

We soon split off the main road and plunged deep into the tangled thicket of low-hanging hau tree branches.

Kulana’ahane Trail

One of multiple stream crossings, 28 if you want to count.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Fence creep has reached down into the valley floor.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Scrambling up the short and steep unmaintained spur ridge trail.

Kulana’ahane Summit

We left the oppressive humidity in the valley behind us and enjoyed the trade winds cooling us down at the lowest depression between the peaks of Red Hill and Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Akira stretching before our climb up the Eastern half of Moanalua Saddle that is part of the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

Moanalua Saddle

Stepping foot on the crumbly ridgeline that are bordered by vegetation on the Leeward side and steep drops on the Windward side.

Moanalua Saddle

The group traversing on one of the few “sidewalk” sections of the trail.

Moanalua Saddle

Aida climbing up with the help of questionable webbing that has been installed for quite some time. Use at your own risk or peril.

Moanalua Saddle

Chandra scrambling her way up a pile of rocks that are in a constant state of erosion.

Moanalua Saddle

Aida climbing against the backdrop of the Ko’olau Range with the Tetsuo Harano Tunnels that burrows over 5,000′ into the mountains to allow commuters to pass through on the H-3 highway.

Moanalua Saddle

Webbing? We don’t need no stinkin’ webbing!

Moanalua Saddle

The group making their way down. Easy peasy.

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way to the most famous obstacle this side of the saddle, the Dirt Triangle.

Moanalua Saddle

Contouring …

Moanalua Saddle

… and climbing the Dirt Triangle.

Moanalua Saddle

Safe and sound at the top.

Moanalua Saddle

Aida with Akira shadowing her on the climb up.

Moanalua Saddle

Our group reduced to quadrupedal locomotion as the pitch increased and the terrain became less sure-footed.

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing and contouring our way around some good sized rocks on the ridgeline.

Moanalua Saddle

Aida and Chandra taking selfies and pictures while holding down their precarious perch. Multi-tasking at its finest.

Moanalua Saddle

Waiting in the queue, as we all made our way up the chossy cliff one by one.

Moanalua Saddle

Insta360 view looking down. Look up.

Moanalua Saddle

The line between scary and happy is the sweet spot for those with a propensity towards acknowledged inhalation.

Moanalua Saddle

Whew! All the “technical” parts of the hike were now behind us.

Moanalua Saddle

The thorny bush that gives back. Sweet and tart.

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing instead of contouring. Pick your poison.

Moanalua Saddle

Looking back towards the dry stream that feeds the current dry Moanalua Falls that we had passed earlier on our climb to Kulana’ahane Summit. Come back on a storming day to see the falls flowing.

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way to heaven.

Moanalua Saddle

Heaven can wait. It’s lunchtime. Udon with tamago(egg) and tuna creations. Thank you Chef Suzuki and StarKist.

Moanalua Saddle

Group photo at one of five platforms that used to anchor aerial cables spanning 7,600′ across Haiku Valley that were used to communicate with the ships and submarines of the Pacific Fleet during WW2.

Moanalua Saddle

One took the ladder and the other took the grassy hill. Which one got up first?

Moanalua Saddle

The ridgeline has been stripped of the stairs or as somebody eloquently once said “given a Brazilian wax job.” Vegetation has yet to reclaim the narrow strip of land that still bears the footprint of its former occupant.

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing our way down to the last platform on this side of the valley and the termination of where the stairs used to end.

Moanalua Saddle

Threading our way along the grassy ridgeline punctuated by rusty stakes and sharp shards of twisted wire that invited you for a tetanus shot if handled improperly.

Moanalua Saddle

Pushing our way to the 2,820′ summit marked by the Communications Control Link (CCL) building that is perched on the top.

Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe

Talking to other hikers who had reached the summit that means “Kahoe’s fire” through other avenues.

Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe

Our pic for your pic. The fate of these storied stairs are currently in legal limbo as FHS filed a legal injunction against the City to stop the proposed dismantlement of “Stairway to Heaven.” Let’s examine the main arguments that the stairs are unsafe; that they are a blight to the aina (land) and it encourages rampant trespassing into people’s yards and property. What other hike has stairs and steps from top to bottom? Exactly. None. Albeit, some of the stairs and rails are damaged due to landslides and neglect, but none to the point of where it’s actually dangerous as evidenced by the fact that nobody has died on this hike, despite the thousands of people that have done it. Olomana has claimed at least six lives and Diamond Head ranks at the top of the list for rescues. Where are the calls to shut these trails down? Some has claimed that the stairs are a defacement to the aina and needs to be removed so it can be restored back to its natural state. If that’s the case, then we need to remove all man-made buildings including homes as they are a “blight” to the aina are they not? What about all the other WW2 structures that “litter” the islands? Pink Pillbox. Lanikai Pillbox. Diamond Head. To name a few. The last argument regarding trespassing is the only one that rings true due to there being no easy means of access. The City acquired ownership in 1997 and spent $875,000 to fix the stairs in 2002 with the intentions of opening it to the public. Lack of leadership, competing agendas and no consensus among all involved parties failed to come to a solution of managed access to the public that would have eliminated the trespassing problem and generated revenue for the City’s coffers.

Haiku Stairs

The original plan was to loop it back down to Moanalua Valley but a medical emergency forced us to depart the summit and use the stairs as the fastest way down short of a rescue helicopter.

Haiku Stairs

Looking back at the rest of the group descending down what used to be 3,922 steps, but scavengers and souvenir hunters have reduced the numbers somewhat.

Haiku Stairs

Approaching the roofless Hoist House that was used to winch a cable car up the ridge to move men and materials.

Haiku Stairs

Now it seems that some hikers have turned the abandoned structure into an impromptu gym.

Haiku Stairs

Two-hand pull-ups? Hold my beer.

Haiku Stairs

If we only had a trampoline.

Haiku Stairs

Chandra against the sprawling vista of lush mountains, verdant valleys, urban blight and ocean views.

Haiku Stairs

Brendan and Kaylee carefully climbing their way past the section of twisted stairs that was damaged in the Valentine’s Day storm of 2015. The death of the stairs has been greatly exaggerated.

Haiku Stairs

Descending down to the valley floor as we soon passed motorists on the H-3 Highway.

All pau

Medical emergency aborted and addressed as we completed our hike safe and sound. Thanks to Allison and Ferlino for their assistance in this matter. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant to consume their oxtail soup as the places to find them have decreased by one with the closure of Kam Bowl Restaurant. Our Father’s Day hike covered 6.63 miles with a fun group + 2. Congratulations to Chandra for completing her first saddle on the KST.

Photos/Crew taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Chandra Robison, 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.

We camped this weekend in the mountains to find out how the aina had weathered the back to back storms. Nothing like first hand experience instead of second hand reporting.

Laie Trail

Thanks to Stephanie for dropping us off directly at the trailhead and it turned out that bouncing around on the jeep road in a jeep was more appropriate than a Jetta.

Laie Trail

Passing underneath a fallen pine tree that are directly descended from the original trees planted in the 1920s to help with reforestation and water retention.

Laie Trail

Crossing over the old landslide where reinforced posts and sandbags are installed to help retard erosion or staving off the inevitable.

Laie Falls

Passing the weathered sign that leads down to Wailele Stream. No skinny dipping today.

Laie Trail

Scott crossing over another old landslide.

Laie Trail

Traversing over a relatively “fresh” mass wasting.

Laie Trail

Hiking the trail bordered by a steep cliff on the right and sharp drop offs to the left.

Laie Trail

Scott rounding the exposed ridgeline that soon gave way to uneven terrain and overgrowth.

Laie Summit

Enjoying the exceptionally clear day from the 2,240′ foxhole.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Scott trying to avoid the mud pits that dot the landscape as we crossed over the bowl shaped depression to make contact with the ubiquitous fence line. Love them or hate them. They are here to stay.

KST

Using the fence line to traverse our way across the section that was wiped out by a landslide. Love them.

KST

Scott pushing his way through a patch of uluhe ferns that had clogged the trail.

KST

Following the fence line as the trail wound its way through the mountains.

KST

Scott climbing up one of the few incline sections on the trail.

Koloa Cabin

Walking past the collapsed outhouse that was taken down by either an explosive fart, the big bad wolf or successive storms.

Koloa Cabin

Checked out the largest cabin on the KST where somebody had left a stockpile of enough butane fuel to ride out the zombie apocalypse and rats had ravaged the stock of cup of noodles left behind.

Koloa Cabin

Taking a photo with the native duck sign.

KST

Back on the muddy trail.

KST

Scott climbing in and out of the notch.

KST

The trail overgrowth was cloying, stifling and at times confusing. We also heard a snort and rustling in the bushes which soon lead us to do our best impression of Who Let the Dogs Out.

Papali Summit

Rain soon replaced sunshine which flipped the weather narrative.

KST

When the gate is rusted shut, one has to climb over.

Opaeula Cabin

Cabin sweet cabin for the night.

Opaeula Cabin

Cloudy weather denied us the normal views of the spectacular sunset. But hey, we had a roof over our head and water for the night.

Opaeula Cabin

Day 2
We woke up the next morning, swept out the cabin and took our leave to be greeted by the typical mountain weather.

Opaeula Cabin

Hiking in the morning mist. Not good for people with respiratory problems. Luckily we did not suffer from those ailments.

KST

Passing the “rabbit hole” with the new and old signs.

KST

The forecasted rain was being substituted with suspended water droplets. No complaints here.

KST

Passing through the Kaluanui Natural Area Reserve which sprawls over 378 acres that was established to protect the 29 native endangered or rare species that call this place home.

KST

Scott at the start of what I like to call the “rolling hills.”

KST

Case in point.

KST

The sun was fighting the clouds. Where is Maui when you need him?

KST

Crossing the spongy and windswept meadow as we made our way to the other fence line.

KST

Break at the iconic boot and sign, both which have seen better days.

KST

Manipulating the battered glove to show aloha instead of “flipping” off traveling hikers.

KST

We left the fence line to stay closer to the ridgeline.

KST

Back on the fence line.

KST

The overgrowth gone wild which masked parts of the trail. One has to literally put their nose on the ground to see trampled vegetation which usually marks the way.

KST

Enjoying the splendid views as we contoured below the ridgeline.

KST

Scott leaving the overgrown trail behind him, or so he thought.

Poamoho Summit

Enjoying the windy and breathtaking views from the 2,520′ grassy hump.

Poamoho Summit

Looking out towards Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys.

Poamoho Summit

Scott passing the Cline Memorial and views of the Waianae Mountains as we left the summit.

Poamoho Trail

Crossing over the still stream.

Poamoho Trail

I’m glad we are leaving the unmaintained trail for the maintained trail. We were in for a rude shock.

Poamoho Trail

Approaching our first unstable slope that was easily traversed.

Poamoho Trail

The most pressing problem seems to be is that the overgrowth has overtaken the trail.

Poamoho Trail

Not to mention the numerous blowdowns that blocked and littered the trail. The more glaring concern is that the feral pigs have run rampant on the trail, evidence of their rooting was seen spaced out on the trail at roughly 50′ intervals.

Poamoho Trail

Scott walking over the second landslide.

Poamoho Trail

Skip, hop and a jump over the third landslide littered with accompanying plant life in varying forms of decay.

Poamoho Trail

Traversing over what’s left of the trail as the bottom slope had slid down to the stream below.

Poamoho Trail

Not out of the woods yet.

Poamoho Trail

Scott crossing over the final landslide on the trail.

Poamoho Trail

It doesn’t work if you come from the other direction.

Poamoho Road

Passing another landslide on the jeep road as we walked our way down.

Poamoho Road

Active shooters?

Poamoho Road

I’m glad the cows decided to stay in their lane.

Poamoho Road

Runoffs have severely eroded and rutted the lower parts of the road.

Poamoho Road

I’m glad I’m not a cow or I wouldn’t be able to traverse over the cattle guards.

Poamoho Road

The dirt bikers were having a field day as they had the road all to themselves.

All pau

Approaching the exit as we started and ended our weekend hike under 2WD. Thanks to Edgar and Stephanie for picking up our hygienically challenged bodies.

GPS Tracks

Our camping weekend covered close to 22 miles through mud, landslides, overgrowth, rain, sunshine and jaw dropping views. Or in other words, a typical weekend on the KST. Post hike meal at Chicken in a Barrel, where the chicken is still smoked but the carbonated beverages are served from a bar.

Photos/Crew taken by Scott Peterson 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.

Our original destination was changed due to impaired physical conditions, so we ended up making the most of our weekend. All good.

Poamoho Road

Driving up 2WD the whole six miles. It’s not the car, it’s the driver that makes the road.

Poamoho Trail

It was a boys trip this weekend as the other usual female suspects were not feeling well.

Poamoho Trail

Scott entering the pearly gates of Poamoho where magical views await.

Poamoho Trail

Blink and you’ll miss the bench with views of the Waianae Mountain Range.

Poamoho Trail

Stepping foot on the mostly graded trail which by the looks of it was recently cleared of overgrowth.

Poamoho Trail

The group traversing over a landslide that since been reclaimed by Mother Nature. I remember when we hiked this same path five years ago and came across the fresh mass wasting of the trail. It was wrecked and DLNR subsequently closed it that following Monday and took months before the trail was reopened back to the public. Nothing in life is permanent, everything is temporary.

Poamoho Trail

Last chance to turn back. The maintained trail ends and who knows what lies beyond this gate.

Poamoho Trail

Entering the gulch and the stream crossing.

Cline Memorial

Standing next to the rock obelisk dedicated to avid hiker, Geraldine Cline who perished in a car accident in 1975. In 1978, friends and family each carried a small rock to build this memorial in her honor.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ summit with sweeping views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Chico and Scott entering the gates to step foot on the historic KST that originally spanned from Pupukea to Kipapa when it was first carved out of the mountains back in the 1930s.

KST

Panoramic views.

KST

The group contouring below the ridgeline.

KST

Back on the fence line.

KST

Is social distancing still a thing?

KST

Chico climbing up the hill to get away from the fence line.

KST

Back on the fence line. Theme of the day.

KST

The fence glove is getting a little long in the tooth.

KST

Brushing past the native mint that lacks the mint smell as there were no predatory animals to eat them back in the day.

KST

Group photo at the iconic boot junction. The KST sign is also getting long in the tooth.

KST

Why did the hikers cross the meadow? To get to the other fence line.

KST

Scott contouring around the fence line.

KST

The KST is this way!

KST

Passing a native lobelia plant that seemed on the verge of flowering.

Rabbit Hole

Group photo with the KST sign that has definitely seen better days.

Army Cabin

Cabin Sweet Cabin for the night.

Army Cabin

The face of exhaustion after lugging nine liters of water through the mountains.

Army Cabin

Cooking in the mountains. Everything tastes better in the outdoors. Especially steak!

Army Cabin

We all enjoyed watching the fiery sun setting behind the Waianae Mountains. No green flash but eye popping nevertheless.

Army Cabin

How many times can you be a shithead in one night? Some didn’t wait and find out and just went to sleep.

Sunday October 12, 2025

Army Cabin

Good morning from the Ko’olau Mountains! We cleaned up the cabin and even received two 5 gallon water bottles that was delivered by Menehune Water. Talk about commitment and dedication.

Army Cabin

Nothing like starting off your hike in early morning fog.

KST

Followed up by skin exfoliation through a cocktail of uluhe, clidemia, and fence line.

KST

Stepping in mud baths on the trail that draws out tensions and toxins as it rejuvenates the body with fermented soil and water.

KST

Nothing like cold wind on the exposed ridges to keep one chilled.

KST

The rising sun slowly burned off the morning fog revealing the valley views.

KST

We left the jungle behind us.

KST

Looking down at the snail habitat and of course, the awesome valley views.

KST

Man down! Chico seems to have a knack for finding false holes on the trail. He should have been a gravedigger.

Poamoho Trail

Descending down into the gulch as we left the summit.

Poamoho Trail

Low clearance. Luckily I washed out of the NBA tryouts.

All pau

Our cabin weekend with priceless views and a stunning sunset covered a little over 11 miles with awesome company. Aida, Mari, Roger and Tessa met us for our post hike meal at the restaurant chain (CPK) that was founded by two lawyers in 1985.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Kenny Lui, Scott Peterson 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.

Akira and Kenny joined me today to get thrashed thoroughly by the jungle, just a glutton for punishment. Thanks to Tessa for dropping us off at the trailhead which saved roughly 10 minutes of walking. Had to conserve our energy for the hike ahead of us.

Laie Trail

Passing through the grove of Norfolk Pine Trees that were planted in the late 1880s to help stem erosion.

Laie Trail

Hiking through the corridor of leaning trees.

Laie Trail

Making our way alongside the cliff with steep drops to our right.

Laie Trail

One of three trenches dug by the US Army as they feared the Japanese would invade Oahu during WW2 and use the trail to traverse over the Ko’olau Range. The plan was to fill it with explosives and blow out the trail in the event of an invasion. Luckily that never transpired.

Laie Trail

We made it to the base of the summit in a little over two hours. The easy part was over.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Stepping foot on the storied trail that was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s for the purpose of reforestation and pig control and to provide employment for young men thrown out of work by the Great Depression.

Malaekahana Junction

The green wooden sign is long gone, replaced by a hiking glove donated by CB.

KST

Traversing through the twisted topography of the trail as it winds and contours through the mountains.

KST

Swallowed by the Uluhe ferns, a common theme for the day.

KST

Group photo at what I like to call the halfway point, true or not. Time for lunch.

KST

There is a trail in all that mess.

KST

Dealing with a tangled mess of uluhe ferns, clidemia shrubs, vines, and strawberry guava trees that served to pull, strangle, poke and generally make life miserable for us on the trail.

KST

Faces in the forest.

KST

Kenny said he liked this trail. Is he on drugs? Or is that a rhetorical question?

KST

Coming up for air literally from the overgrowth.

KST

Sit, scoot and push our way through the “trail.”

KST

Back in the jungle.

KST

Crawling on our hands and knees through the uluhe tunnels. Knee pads optional.

KST

We lost the trail and got turned around for awhile before climbing out of the gulch. You still like this trail Kenny? No.

KST

Is this going to end?

Puu Hina

Group photo at the summit of Pupukea. Exhausted and glad most of the trail overgrowth was behind us. Kenny gave himself a haircut to get rid of all tangled vines and uluhe stuck in his hair. Memories. Scarred memories.

KST

Leaving the summit with the Waianae Mountain Range in our face and Akira had his insulated cup of a hot beverage to drink on the way down.

Black Junction

Group photo at the start or finish of the KST.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Where the trail meets the road.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Height check.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

The welcoming committee of Aida, Mari, Marilyn and Tessa would have met us at the trailhead if they remembered where it was located. They did bring cold beverages and ice. Much appreciated!

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

It’s all downhill from here. Well not really.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Group photo at the picnic shelter where there was ample conservative reading material to be had if so desired.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Fetch me a Coke! Not a stick!

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Jeremy showed up as well to walk us down the road.

All pau

Props to Kenny for finishing and Akira coming back for a second helping on a trail most consider one and done.

GPS Tracks

Our exhausting and grueling hike through the most overgrown section of the KST covered 12.47 miles. Post hike meal at the Pupukea Food Trucks. When proximity dictates your food choice.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Jeremy Cannone, Kenny Lui, Mari Saito, Marilyn Bermudez, 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.

It was our second attempt with the same crew for the same trail. The first one was aborted due to severe weather. This time around was different. We would finish, come hell or high water or mud.

Poamoho Trail

Mahalo to Edgar for driving Aida, Jeremy, Roger and myself up the jeep road for our hike today.

Poamoho Trail

Jeremy crossing the barely wet stream that was a marked departure from our last visit where the stream was flowing quite forcefully.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo on the surprisingly still summit at 2,520′ elevation.

Cline Memorial

Leaving the summit as we stepped foot on the Ko’olau Summit Trail. Stuart Ball said “The Ko’olau Summit Trail is for experienced hikers only because it is overgrown, muddy, and sometimes narrow and obscure.” Truer words were never spoken for this day.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

We stayed to the left of the fence line as we made our way past the snail habitat and opened the gate to where the country is still country, trails less traveled.

KST

Contoured our way below the fenced ridge line and traversed across the old landslide until we regained the fence line.

KST

Breaking free of the mud and overgrowth, we enjoyed a brief respite on an open section of the trail. Enjoy it while it lasts.

KST

Climbing up the gradual slope where we soon regained the fence line again, a constant companion on the trails.

KST

Following the fence line against the backdrop of Kahana Valley and the prominent peak of Ohulehule.

Boot Junction

Group photo at the iconic junction, wondering when the boot will eventually fall off the stake due to constant exposure to the elements.

KST

Roger going over the fence after crossing the spongy meadow.

KST

Resuming our fenced walk.

KST

Keeping the fence to our left and the views to our right.

KST

Fences for daze.

Rabbit Hole

Group photo at the sign that needed a new home or was it the home needed a new sign?

KST

Roger and the rest of them did not want to get “baptized” by the deep mud at the foot of the gate. Sticks in the mud.

Papali Summit

Taking a well-deserved break at the summit.

KST

Resuming our hike on the trail. Roger was probably thinking “what trail?”

KST

The group following in the footsteps of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that blasted and carved the KST out of the mountains from Black Junction to Kipapa from 1933-1935.

KST

The mostly young men lead by experienced engineers had to work in inhospitable terrain and often in grueling conditions that was marked by low hanging clouds, incessant rain, mud and heavy overgrowth.

KST

The original purpose of building this trail was justified for invasive animal eradication, forestry management and later recreation.

KST

Watching the fiery sunbeams as it slowly washed over the Waianae Mountain Range.

KST

The group climbing in and out of the notch, which meant …

Koloa Cabin

… which meant we were close to our cabin for the night. The door was unhinged and almost fell on me as I turned the doorknob. What a welcoming surprise. The rest of the group wanted to see the cabin from the top before coming down to dry out as best as we could for the night. No one wanted to be a Shithead tonight, so my deck of playing cards stayed in its pack.

Koloa Cabin

Day 2
We woke up to starry skies which was a pleasant surprise to me as most of my overnighters were marked by gusting winds and rain and morning clouds.

Koloa Cabin

Once a princess, always a princess in the mountains.

Koloa Cabin

Group photo after we cleaned up the cabin, used the open air outhouse and got ready for another day of mud and more overgrowth.

KST

Mud race anybody? Tradition dies easily in the mountains.

KST

We all enjoyed the mud in our own ways.

KST

The jarhead wanted to take point and show us that he still got it, in terms of land navigation skills. Semper Fi.

KST

Let’s go this way as we don’t want to hike on the Kawailoa Trail. Not today.

KST

Winding our way through the mountains as “The Eddie” was kicking off at Waimea Bay.

Laie Summit

Celebrating Aida’s second KST finish with the non-traditional non-pouring of bottled water. Such a buzzkill.

Laie Summit

Leaving the 2,240′ foxhole summit as we made our way to the trail.

KST

Looking up at the satellite that keeps the tides and ecosystems in check on Earth.

KST

Somebody didn’t believe me when I said the overgrowth would be worse than yesterday and the duration and distance longer. Seeing is believing.

KST

Meandering through the mountains as we spied rows of the single trunked palm tree with fan shaped leaves below us, the endemic loulu palm trees.

Malaekahana Junction

There once used to be an HTMC green wooden sign that marks this spot, now only a friends glove marks the junction.

KST

Round and round we go throughout the mountains. That is why this is called the Ko’olau Summit Trail and not the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

KST

Disappearing into the overgrowth, only to pop up later like so many jack in the boxes.

KST

Jeremy was just having a grand ole’ time, wallowing in the overgrowth.

KST

Group photo at what I call the halfway spot on the trail.

KST

Taking our lunch break, further down the trail and away from the mud pits.

KST

Pays to be limber and flexible on this trail.

KST

Who brought the machete? Crickets.

KST

Crawling and scrambling our way through the often dense overgrowth.

KST

Overgrowth all day and then some. No exaggeration.

Pu’u Hina

Enjoying the city lights from the summit of Pupukea.

Black Junction

We reached the end or start of the KST. It also marked my #18 passage across the dormant fragmented shield volcano. Yes dormant, not extinct.

All pau

The yellow gates near Camp Pupukea did not mark the end of our hike. We still had another mile to walk to Jeremy’s car. 1.2 miles to be exact. Shall we call Uber? Don’t bother. Nobody’s going to come. Let’s start walking and get this night over.

GPS Tracks

Our weekend camping hike covered 19.46 miles through mud, overgrowth and mountainous scenery. Congratulations to Aida for finishing the KST for her second time. Fun times with a good group of friends. Post hike meal at Jack in the Box. In the parking lot.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Jeremy Cannone, Roger Schiffman, 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.

The cabin is calling and we must go. Met up with Akira, Chico, Mari and Tessa for another weekend adventure in the mountains.

Helemano

We dialed in the lock combination and closed the gate as we left civilization behind us.

Poamoho Trail

Group photo at the start when we are all nice and clean.

Poamoho Trail

Hugging the uluhe carpeted cliff as expansive views of the Ewa Forest Reserve opened to our right.

Poamoho Trail

Chico transferring some of his ice water to a friend in need of something more than room temperature.

Poamoho Trail

Man down!

Poamoho Trail

Traversing through the largest landslide that shut down this trail several years ago.

Poamoho Trail

Some can climb over, while others have to step over.

Poamoho Trail

Crossing the trickling stream.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo on the clear and windy 2,520′ grassy hump. What a view!

Cline Memorial

Checking our mileage before we left the summit to begin our cross-over.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Dropping down to the sheltered trail which offered us temporary refuge from the howling winds.

KST

Akira closing the gate behind us as we stepped foot on the Windward (exposed) side of the trail.

KST

Contouring our way below the ridge line.

KST

Making our way to another gate.

KST

Mari cresting a hump with commanding views of the valleys behind us.

KST

Scrambling our way up the hill to reconnect to the fence line.

KST

Joining up with the ridge fence line.

KST

Akira next to the gloved one, because it’s cool and different than just having two gloves on the fence line.

KST

Looking through the ubiquitous fence line as the group followed the man-made structure as it meandered its way through the mountains.

KST

Climbing over the fence line to the trail that has now been largely reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Boot Junction

Group photo at the iconic weathered boot that has marked this junction for at least a decade. I still am curious as to who left the boot and the backstory.

Boot Junction

Climbing over the fence to traverse the spongy meadow field.

KST

Valley views that would be better off without the fence line. I believe the fence line started to be installed in the early 2000s to protect the watershed and endemic fauna and flora from invasive critters. Several noted hikers such as Patrick Rorie were opposed for the most part to the fence line being installed as it would be a blight on the landscape among other reasons. However, it does help with navigation in the mountains, especially when the area is socked in as it is for the most part.

KST

Mari climbing up with the summit of Pu’u Ohulehule behind her.

KST

The girls climbing up a steep hill with a wrap around sign marking the way.

Army Cabin

Our destination soon sprang into our sight. Motivation.

KST

Hiking sticks are used for balance and stability. They can also be be used to measure the depth of a mud pit.

Rabbit Hole

Wandering off the reservation.

Opae’ula Trail

Some people use their legs to measure the mud depth.

Opae’ula Trail

Approaching one of the few KST cabins with a view.

Opae’ula Cabin

Cabin sweet cabin.

Opae’ula Cabin

Group photo with the sun setting in the background.

Opae’ula Cabin

Pictures don’t do it justice.

Opae’ula Cabin

Our dinner menu consisted of steak, shrimp, tempura udon, zucchini, rice and brownies for dessert. Thanks to Chefs Cantu and Suzuki for cooking the food, Sommelier Bugay for the wine and Baker Saito for the browies.

Opae’ula Cabin

Catching a last glimpse as the sun shimmered its way down the Waianae Mountain Range.

Opae’ula Cabin

Pop and vino toast.

Opae’ula Cabin

Table talk revolved around paternal origins, new words and family activities.

Opae’ula Cabin

Shithead! The preferred card game of hikers, or so I’ve been told.

Opae’ula Cabin

Day 2
We woke up to a completely different landscape, one that was soaked in clouds. Packed our bags, swept the cabin and took our leave.

Opae’ula Trail

Mari passing through the gate to get back onto the reservation.

KST

Embracing the suck. Literally.

KST

Tessa leaving the Kaluanui NAR.

KST

Which way does the wind blow? Take a wild guess.

Boot Junction

Following the fence line on our return trip as we had learned our lesson.

KST

Tessa entering the tree tunnel.

KST

Making our way down back to the fence line.

KST

Crossing over a narrow section of the trail that was a result of a prior mass wasting. The inclement weather decided for us to skip another summit visit and continue down the graded trail.

Poamoho Trail

The group working their way out of the gulch where the stream gurgled below them.

Poamoho Trail

Fauna and flora hitchhikers had attached themselves to us during the hike. One was a native Hawaiian fern and the other was a pre-escargot.

Poamoho Trail

Passing through an old landslide area where we ran into two groups of hikers making their way to the summit.

All pau

We soon arrived at the trailhead which ended our roughly 11 in and out mile hike but began our six mile ride down the bumpy and muddy jeep road amplified by aggressive driving.

Post hike meal

The best cheeseburger in the country was not open, so we had our lunch at Chicken in a Barrel. Chico making Akira work for his gummies and providing entertainment at the same time. Great camping trip with good friends.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Mari Saito, 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 to back hikes that replaced the overgrown hike with the muddiest one in the mountains.

Laie Trail

Thanks to Ferlino for driving Akira, Chris, Tessa, and myself all the way into the road to start at the trailhead. Saved us a whole ten minutes!

Laie Trail

Chris giving the surf report from the mountains.

Laie Trail

Hiking by artificial illumination.

Laie Trail

The sunrise peeking through the grove of Norfolk pine trees.

Laie Trail

Traversing the cleaned up landslide.

Laie Trail

Is this the summit or the falls? Trying to fool the new guy.

Laie Trail

Akira poking his head out of one of numerous trenches that were dug on the side of the trail during WW2. They were to be packed with explosives and set off in case the Japanese military had invaded Oahu after the attack on Pearl Harbor and wreck the trail.

Laie Trail

Some people are not easily fooled or scared.

Laie Trail

Passing the replacement sign on our way to the summit.

Laie Summit

Enjoying outstanding panoramic views of the Windward and Leeward sides at the 2,240′ foxhole.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Stepping foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains.

KST

Contouring our way through the mountains.

KST

The group crossing the bowl shaped depression.

KST

Initial contact with the fence on the trail.

KST

Traversing through the uluhe carpeted trail.

KST

Climbing up the steep fenced hill.

KST

Akira embracing the suck.

KST

Why did the hikers cross the fence? To get out of the cold biting wind.

Koloa Cabin

Brief stop at the largest cabin on the KST.

KST

Back on the trail again.

KST

Tessa climbing in and out of the notch.

KST

Rounding the corner on one of the few sections of the trail that was devoid of overgrowth and mud.

KST

Who pushed Tessa down? The wind? The clouds? Akira?

KST

Vangee training with the speed bag for his upcoming match with Naoya “The Monster” Inoue.

KST

Tree hugger.

KST

Winding our way through the mountains.

KST

Approaching the group of mossed over trees that signaled we were close to the summit.

Papali Summit

A much needed break from the exhausting mud and overgrowth on the trail.

KST

Sole and soul sucking mud as we crossed the gated fence.

Rabbit Hole

The KST sign has seen better times.

KST

They were four constant companions on our hike today: mud, overgrowth, fence and clouds.

KST

Navigating through the KST has been made much easier with the fence line.

KST

Traversing through the cloud soaked rolling hills.

KST

The clouds finally relented and cooperated in providing us with valley and coastal views.

KST

Crossing the fence and meadow to reach the other side.

KST

Mountain views in the background.

Da Boot

Group photo at the iconic boot KST sign junction. The boot has seen better days as well.

KST

Talk to the glove.

KST

Staying on the right as we climbed up another hill.

KST

Leaving the fence temporarily behind as we descended down to the mud soaked trail.

KST

Exiting the gate to contour around the ridge line.

KST

Flowering lobelia against the backdrop of Pu’u Ohulehule.

KST

Entering our last gate on the KST.

Poamoho Summit

We pushed against the wind to make our way to promising views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ grassy hump.

Poamoho Summit

Checking out our mountain mileage at the Cline Memorial.

Poamoho Trail

Halfway to the trailhead.

Poamoho Trail

Reflective trailhead.

Poamoho Road

A big shout out to Chico who drove up 4.4 miles up the road which meant we only had to walk roughly 1.6 miles down the overgrown and puddled road. Thanks also to Gordon and Nick for getting the gate combination over to us.

All pau

We ran into a cow blockade further down the road, infinitely preferable than a cow stampede. Glad we were safely encased in a truck when our paths met, otherwise we would have to learn to be paniolos on the job.

GPS Tracks

Our muddy hike covered 16.72 miles that could have been longer if not for Chico’s timely intervention. Punishing hike with old and new friends. Post hike meal at Popeyes on base where leaving our muddy tracks on a freshly mopped floor was not well appreciated.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chris Bautista, 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 in the mountains after weekends of pounding the pavement. Met up with Aida under flashing lights in trees which probably kept the chickens up.

Laie Trail

Going up the heavily eroded and rutted section of the trail.

Laie Trail

Walking underneath the towering Norfolk pine trees.

Laie Trail

Traversing over the cleaned up landslide. Hats off to HTMC for all their hard work and trail clearing.

Laie Falls

It’s not only the sounds of running water, it’s also the sign that results in the urge to urinate. Fresh water was wasted in the making of this photo.

Laie Trail

Passing the steep cliff on the right and huge drops on the left.

Laie Trail

Reaching the replacement sign as we soon crossed paths with the KST.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Stepping foot on the most overgrown section of the KST.

KST

Where’s the other shadow?

KST

Fluttering and weathered flags marked the trail’s path through the dense overgrowth.

KST

Trudging through a somewhat exposed section of the trail.

Malaekahana Junction

Reaching the junction with the ridge that goes back down the namesake ridge that also has another waterfall.

KST

Following the faint trail with the pinwheeling windmills in the background.

KST

Forced smiles at one of our small breaks on the trail.

KST

Halfway there!

KST

Going under, contouring and convoluting our way through the trail was the common denominator of the day.

KST

Pushing through a seemingly impenetrable barrier of uluhe ferns, clidemia, strawberry guava trees, strangling vines and other plant life that seemed determined to poke, pull and generally make life miserable for hikers passing through their land.

KST

Face in the forest.

KST

Passing a pruner in the branches.

KST

Are we there yet?

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at the Pupukea Summit, which is also the junction for the “lost” Kahuku Trail.

KST

Dropping off the summit as we raced the sun sinking below the horizon.

Black Junction

The official end or start of the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Pupukea Trail

When you don’t get the scare that you expected. Picked the wrong person. Thanks to Tessa for meeting us up on the trail and picking us up.

Pupukea Trail

Where the trail meets the road. Don’t miss the junction Auntie!

All pau

Walking in the darkness back to our cars where not paying attention gets you a bloody nose at the gate.

GPS Tracks

Our overgrown KST hike covered 13.2 miles through a punishing trail that abused you six ways to Sunday. Post hike meal at Kenko-ya, where the location needs to be updated on Google so everybody can meet up at the correct spot.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, 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.