In search of more training grounds to hike, we met up on the congested street in East Oahu. Keep your voice down, lest you upset the neighbors.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

This trail has been called one of the finest hikes on the island by noted hiking author, Stuart Ball. Who am I to argue?

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Somebody forgot their phone at the trailhead. Shades of Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Switch backing our way up the mountain.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Going or coming?

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Puka in the tree stump.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Arriving at the picnic shelter that was being renovated with fresh paint and new wood planks.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Scrambling up the rooted section of the trail.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

The trail took on a more direct approach as we huffed and puffed our way up the steep sections under the canopy of pine trees.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Touchup. No pullup.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

A bench with a view.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Steps, steps and then some more steps.

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Views of Koko Crater and Koko Head in the background. Often confused for each other.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Group photo at the surprisingly empty 2,028′ summit.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the eroded hill as we started our traverse on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

KSRT

Plunging into the forest.

KSRT

Mari using the organic hiking stick to its fullest.

KSRT

Approaching the first set of powerlines.

KSRT

Mari doing the forward low tree limbo.

KSRT

Passing through the second set of powerlines.

KSRT

The spiderweb of vines were insufferable as they pulled, strangled and tripped you if not careful.

KSRT

Making our way through the mountains on a carpet of pine needles.

KSRT

Contouring our way around the base of Hahaione Pyramid.

KSRT

That’s one small step for woman, one giant leap for hiking.

KSRT

If it looks like a pyramid, sits like a pyramid, then it’s a pyramid.

KSRT

We ran across two other hikers that were coming from the opposite direction.

Mariner’s Summit

Is that Chef Boyardee cooking his signature spaghetti in the mountains?

Kaluanui Summit

Most of us enjoyed the cooking show, while others checked in on their social media.

Kaluanui Summit

Group photo at the summit that Kamehameha Schools would like you to forget.

KSRT

Climbing our way down from the summit.

KSRT

Walking through a carpet of feathery ferns.

KSRT

Clash of vivid colors in the mountains.

KSRT

Seriously? We have to climb down this cliff on a printer cable?

KSRT

Deborah and Aida making their way down to the base of the cliff.

KSRT

Aida with Dorito’s Tower in the distance.

KSRT

Traversing our way through the exposed and rocky section of the trail.

KSRT

Where there’s a rock, there is always somebody that will climb on top.

Tom-Tom Summit

Standing on the summit whose trail was named after Tom McGuire and Tom Cadle who rediscovered the old Hawaiian trail.

KSRT

Take less pictures and more spotting.

KSRT

Climbing up rocks after rocks.

KSRT

Scrambling our way up the ever shifting ground of pine needles. One step forward, two steps back.

Kamiloiki Summit

No smile for the summit.

KSRT

Passing through another stand of pine trees.

KSRT

Descending our way down the trail as we approached the last climb of the day.

Kaiona Beach Park

Watching the fire dancers from the nosebleed section.

KSRT

The communications tower looked so deceptively close as we approached it. Appearances can be deceiving.

KSRT

Mari climbing her way out of the saddle.

KSRT

That plant is made for drinking and not for smoking.

Manana Island

The direct sun was reflecting off the uninhabited island that is now home to a protected bird sanctuary.

KSRT

Contouring our way around the abandoned radar towers that used to control the Nike Missiles Sites down at Bellows.

KSRT

The group was glad they were back on solid ground. Some more so than others.

KSRT

Where there’s a hole, there’s a way.

All pau

Walking down the road that was made easier since Camp Winner was in session. No gate to contour or hurdle.

GPS Tracks

Our “training” hike covered a little over seven miles with good company. Good job to Mari for finishing another chunk of the KST. Post hike meal at Mama Pho. Pho Time was out of business.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Deborah Tom, Mari Saito 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 (wo)men who hike with goats is a 2022 aburdly funny hike starring Camper, Enrique, Jason, Katricia, Marilyn, Tessa, Winner and myself with cameo appearances by Anna and Casey. Photo by Jason.

Makapuu Lookout

Mahalo to Chris for shuttling Enrique, Jason, Marilyn and myself from Kuli’ou’ou to Makapu’u to begin our early morning hike.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Once we reached the top of the ridge line, Enrique began the process of transferring alcoholic liquids from the exterior into the interior.

KSRT

The three of us standing on what I like to call Hawaii’s Stonehenge rocks. Sometimes it’s not worth it for the photo opportunity. Photo by Enrique Chavez.

Makapuu Puka

Outside Looking In Group Photo.

KSRT

Enrique passing by the ladybug tree.

Makai Pier

Marilyn pushing herself up the rocky hill. Photo by Jason.

KSRT

Tessa keeping a couple of goats named Camper and Winner company until we joined her at the hang gliding platform.

KSRT

Establishing dominance or playing around? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

Our group numbers increased by three as we resumed our hike on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Jason.

KSRT

Passing through the communications tower site and the nearby former Dead Man’s Catwalk. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

Hanging out with the guys. Horns not included. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

KSRT

Dropping down into the saddle. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kamiloiki Summit

Summit views with the blue-green waters of Waimanalo Bay behind us.

KSRT

We left the shaded corridor of ironwood pine trees for the exposed stretch of rocky terrain.

KSRT

The goats testing their sure-footedness on the exposed rocky trail.

KSRT

Picked up a software engineer from a little known company that over a billion people use as she joined our expanding group.

Tom-Tom Summit

We met Casey and his apprentice, Anna who had originally been seeking to ascend Kaupo #2 but somehow wound up coming up Tom-Tom instead. Somebody’s blog was of no use.

KSRT

Contouring our way around the dorsal shaped rock. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

We don’t need no stinking printer cable where we are going. Besides, our cloven hooves are not equipped with opposable thumbs.

KSRT

Nobody gets between us and daddy.

KSRT

Let’s try and keep up with us goats shall we?

Kaluanui Summit

Feeding time at the petting zoo. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Mariners Ridge Summit

Group photo at the summit that KSBE would like you to forget that it exists as the trail to it is no longer open to the public.

Kaluanui Summit

We do this for a hobby, they do it for a living.

KSRT

Resuming our hike after our lunch break at the top.

KSRT

The point of return? Not if a boy from Chicago had any say in it.

Hahaione Pyramid

Enrique pointing out the geological structure that predates the more famous Middle Eastern ones by several million years.

KSRT

Waiting for a couple hikers that apparently liked to repeat their navigational mistakes.

KSRT

The scenic spot that can lead one astray. For some, its all the time.

KSRT

Going up the hill populated with HECO powerline poles and a resting hiker. Props to Katricia for sticking with us and finishing the hike.

KSRT

I have no more nuts! My hands are empty! We know you have more up your sleeve. Having a one sided anthropomorphic conversation. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

The goats following Enrique like dogs. I was amazed that they followed us on our entire journey from Makapu’u to Kuli’ou’ou.

Kuliouou Summit

Camper trying to get one last bite before heading down the trail with two strangers. So fickle. I’ll stick with dogs. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kuliouou Summit

Group photo at the 2,028′ eroded hill left to right: Enrique, Jason, Tessa, Marilyn, myself and Katricia.

Kuliouou Summit

Hello? Your goats are available to be picked up at Kuli’ou’ou. Yes, I said Kuli’ou’ou and not Makapu’u. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Kuliouou Trail

Going down the ungraded ridge where the goats put a lot of smiles on every two legged and four legged hikers they met on their way down.

Kuliouou Trail

The goats decided that the mountains was more their domain than the suburbs of East Honolulu and turned around and left us. Crocodile tears.

All pau

Anybody seen my kids?

GPS Tracks

Our wildlife hike covered roughly a little shy of eight miles with great company, human and non-human. Post hike meal criteria was that alcohol must be flowing freely. A nearby supermarket and a pizza place fit the bill.

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.

Looking for an easy hike after our Kawiwi hike last weekend, I settled on the Kuli’ou’ou West Ridge hike as I have never done that particular route before. Originally I was going to do it with the H.O.T. ( Hiking Oahu Trailblazers ) group, but their kick-off time of 9:00am was in conflict with other plans, so I asked Chris and met him at 7:00am at the top of Kalaau Place in Kuli’ou’ou Valley.

Trailhead

We followed the paved road until it ended at this fenced building. The trail is to the right of the building and is well ribboned as it makes it way up the ridge.

Which way does the wind blow?

The trail going up passes through ironwood trees, strawberry guava trees and other standard Koolau mountain foliage. I prefer this more direct route as you avoid the tedious switchbacks common on the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail.

Kuli’ou’ou Valley

Looking back at the rain showers sprinkling Kuli’ou’ou Valley and the surrounding ridges, including the one we were hiking on. Up ahead, the cloud covered mountains did not look promising for scenic viewing.

Walking in the clouds

As we neared the top, the clouds enveloped us along with rain showers to complete the picture.

Pu’u O Kona

We arrived at the 2,200′ Pu’u O Kona to whiteout conditions. At least, the rain showers stopped to give us a break. Spoke too soon.

Landslide section

Chris preparing to cross the landslide section. It looks worse than it actually is.

Spider web

Since I didn’t have any opportunities to take scenic pictures, I practiced my macro picture taking on this spider web that was on the trail. Speaking of such, it sucks to be the person in front as you often get spider webs all over your face as you push your way through the trails.

Headed to the east ridge

The one cool thing I liked about walking in the clouds, is that it lended a surreal experience to our hike.

Kuli’ou’ou summit

We made our way to the Kuli’ou’ou summit and still had no views. Mother Nature was not favoring us today.

Headed back down

As we made our way down the muddy and puddled ridge trail, the sun started to break up the clouds. Well, at least we had nice views on our way down. Once we started to hit the switchbacks, we took some direct shortcuts to break the monotony.

GPS Tracks

I think I will need to do this 4.3 mile hike again. On a clear and sunny day!

Glenn and I had the chance to tag along with Marcus and his extreme hiker crew consisting of Scott, Matt, Jay, Shelly, KiLei, and Aaron today to tackle Bear Claw Left Fork. We all met at the end of Kalaau Place in Kuliouou Valley and piled into Scott’s truck, where we drove to Waimanalo and parked off of Waikupahana Street by a ranch, with the manager’s permission. Our group of nine hikers pushed off around 8:40am as we made our way past two gates and a water tank.

Cardio Hill

The trailhead was surprisingly well ribbonned for a supposedly unsanctioned trail. Right off the bat, we were steadily pushing ourselves up the hill, I was already breaking a sweat this early in the hike. Good morning Bear Claw!

Rockface #1

We came upon the first rockface that has two metal spikes pounded into the rocks and ropes. Under Marcus’s guidance, he instructed us to use the bottom spike as a foothold and the top spike as a handhold and work our way up to the top, where Scott and Matt were acting as spotters.

Rockface #2

The second rockface can either be climbed straight up if one’s climbing skills are solid or contoured to the left where there are some blue webbing that made it a little easier to get up.

Formosa Koa Trees

This tangled thicket of koa trees that we had to climb under, over and to the sides would stay with us until we got to the junction where the two ridges or forks meet.

Left meets Right

Passing the junction where the left fork meets the right fork and continues up a single ridge to the summit. Marcus informed me the right fork is a tad harder and steeper than the left fork coming up. I was glad to finally get out on the open ridge as the tradewinds started to cool us down, as it was hot and humid coming up the left fork. 

Mushroom Rock

As we made our way along the ridge, there was a mushroom shaped rock that we had to climb over. I never get tired of seeing all these different types of rock formations on the trails.

Dike section

Glenn and Marcus coming over a narrow dike section.

Some climbing involved

Jay climbing up the ridge.

Proceed with caution

Scott and KiLei look at the spot where Leslie Merrell fell back in March. The area above their heads is where the boulder that he was holding onto came loose, resulting in his tragic fall. A somber reminder that rocks on these trails are very brittle and loose.

HFD Helicopter

We soon noticed that a HFD yellow helicopter was making repeated passes over our heads, pilot probably muttering “darn hikers on unsanctioned trails.”

You can contour to the left...

There was this somewhat daunting rock formation on the ridge that you can either contour to the left, or if you want a little challenge…

...or go over the top

…you can do what Matt did, and just climb over the rock to regain the ridge.

Bear Claw Ridge

This hike had a little bit of everything to keep it interesting and challenging – nice cardio climb, narrow dikes and ridges, some rock climbing and most of all, spectacular views that money can’t buy.

Final dirt push to the summit

As we were scrambling up the last 30-50 feet of dirt and grass before the summit, the HFD helicopter came back and started hovering 10 feet above Scott who was in the lead. Talk about a Kodak moment! The helicopter was so close, I could almost see the color of the pilot’s eyes, he stayed for about 10-20 seconds before peeling off.

Made it to the top

We made the summit of Bear Claw at around 11:30am. It took us about 3 hours to hike less than a mile going up, but we gained over 2,000 feet in elevation.

Group photo at the summit

Everybody making the left claw pose for the camera.

Panoramic view from the top of Bear Claw

Click here for the larger image.

Headed towards Puu O Kona

After a short break, the group with the exception of Aaron who went down the Kuliouou trail, decided to continue on towards Puu O Kona.

Windward Panoramic view from Puu O Kona

Click here for the larger image of the Windward side as seen from the top of Puu O Kona.

Leeward Panoramic View from Puu O Kona

Click here for the larger image of the town side as seen from the top of Puu O Kona.

Headed down into Kuliouou Valley

It was a brisk descent going down into Kuliouou Valley as we got back to our cars around 1:30pm. It was a great experience hiking with Marcus’s crew as it showed that I needed to work a little more on my cardio and climbing skills so that I can keep up on future hikes with his crew.