Back to do another short loop on the Eastern Ko’olaus.

Trailhead

Met up with Chris, Jose, Rob and Ryan at the end of Anolani Street in Niu Valley.

Canopy cover

Headed into the valley with copious amounts of canopy cover and absence of mosquitoes. Can’t ask for much more on the trails.

Streambed crossing

Multiple crossings of the boulder strewn Niu Stream marked the start of the trail.

Junction

The washed out section of the trail, where we stayed right to gain the ridge.

Going up

Tightly packed trees marked the initial ascent up the ridge.

Ironwoods

Dropped pine needles on this section made for slippery and soft footing.

Help!

No hiker was harmed in the making of this photograph.

Seen any pigs?

Met a group of hunters with their dogs on the ridge. The dogs soon lost interest and turned around.

Same hill, different trees

Resuming our slow cardio burn as the trees thinned out as we gained elevation.

Uluhe ferns

What hike wouldn’t be complete without a patch of uluhe ferns?

Bridging the gap

Rob showing his flexibility.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Kulepeamoa ridge

The ridge started to become more defined and exposed. Thank you. Photo by Ryan Leano

Erosion

Jose about to pass one of many eroded sections sprinkled along the upper ridge.

Dirt chute

Rob approaching the roughly 50′ steep section. Ropes are provided.

Climbing

Where’s the escalator? Photo by Chris Chun.

Looking down

Jose making his way up.

Ohia lehua

Buzzing bees were busy picking up pollen from the abundant salmon colored lehua flowers.

Final push

Multiple false peaks and a roller coasting ridge were behind us as we were within striking distance of the summit.

Kulepeamoa summit

Group photo at the 2,480′ summit, left to right: Chris, Ryan, Jose, myself and Rob.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Kulepeamoa Windward

Checking out a future Windward ridge hike. Photo by Ryan Leano.

KSRT

The group headed North along the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail. The twin peaks of Konahuanui were strikingly clear in the distance.

Looking back

Another view of the Windward ridge that we had scouted out earlier from the summit.

Cross over

It was another brief crossing between summits. Within less than half an hour, we found ourselves on top of Hawaii Loa Ridge.

Mountain yoga

Chris showing us how it’s done.

Hawaii Loa summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ summit. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Hawaii Loa Ridge

The sign that warned of multiple slips and falls was missing.

Headed down

It’s been several years since I last set foot on Hawaii Loa Ridge. Nothing much has changed.

Cloudy Ko’olaus

Looking back at the clouds rolling over the Ko’olaus.

Junction

Finding the junction that would drop us back down into Pia Valley was made possible from Troy Solano’s GPS tracks. Mahalo!

Tree brakes

We lost elevation in a hurry going down into Pia Valley.

Tramping around

Ryan checking out a rock structure that we came across, possibly built by Hawaiians or cattle ranchers?

Exploring

Climbing up to see where the cave goes. Photo by Jose Delaki

Cave

Dead end.

Swimming hole

One of the deeper holes that was actually filled with standing water. Looked inviting and stagnant at the same time.

Junction

We soon intersected at the washed out section where we made the initial ascent up Kulepeamoa Ridge.

Rooting

Chris warming up for Kaupo Cliffs #4.

All pau

Walking back out to our cars.

GPS Tracks

The fun loop hike covered a little over 5.3 miles. Post hike meal at Greek Marina. Thanks to Jasmin for bringing us freshly baked muffins and pear cranberry pie.