We all met up at the town that used to be a sanctuary for fugitives until they were abolished in 1819.

Laie

The original plan was to ascend all 18 waterfalls until we reached the top of Laie Falls to celebrate Kenny’s birthday. However, a raft of issues such as anxiety, centipede or spider bite, gout, cyst, bad knee, bad foot and other issues literally forced a change in the direction of the hike to make it accommodating to all. For a minute, I thought I was working at Straub ER.

Laie Trail

Hiking over the eroded path as we pushed our way to the grove of pine trees.

Laie Trail

Chico literally going out on a limb.

Laie Trail

Walking under the towering Norfolk pine trees that can live up to 200 years under the right conditions.

Laie

The timing was fortuitous as CB caught up to the group just as we were going off the trail to descend down to the stream.

Laie

Most of us went down the direct express way – on our butts, while others sensibly used the strawberry guava trees on their descent.

Laie

How’s that working out for you?

Laie

You guys okay?

Laie

Dropping down to the stream.

Laie

The others making their way down.

Wailele Stream

Smack dab in the middle of mangrove country. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Wailele Stream

The group going over, under and through the tangled branches.

Wailele Stream

Akira “walking” on water as he navigates his way downstream.

Wailele Stream

Looking for those waterfalls that Edgar mentioned that a couple of our friends had explored downstream on a prior hike.

Wailele Stream

Chico taking the Polar Bear Plunge. Hawaii version.

Wailele Stream

Rock hopping our way down the perennial stream which measures 12.5 miles from top to bottom.

Wailele Stream

Sighting of the elusive strawberry fungi tree. Found only at mid-elevations with inconsistent water flow.

Wailele Stream

Cristy and Allison hiking their way through the stream whose name literally means waterfall. Speaking of that.

Wailele Stream

Remind me again why I don’t really care for waterfall hikes? Well I guess this doesn’t really count, as we have yet to see one.

Wailele Stream

Alexis and Kenny still searching.

Wailele Stream

Maybe it’s under this tree? Maybe not. The waterfalls downstream are like unicorns.

Wailele Stream

Cristy pulling leaves from her butt that got stuck there during our slide down the hill from the trail above us.

Wailele Stream

Happy Birthday Kenny! Many happy returns. Where did that cupcake come from? Cristy?

Wailele Stream

Chico substituting happy birthday punches with water squirts. Better for the skin. Moisturizing and not bruising.

Wailele Stream

Time to blow this waterfall-less stream and make our way back to the ridge line above us.

Laie

Pulling ourselves up through the thicket of strawberry guava trees.

Laie

Bushwhacking our way up the trail. What trail?

Laie

CB enjoying a brief respite from the cloying overgrowth.

Laie

Allison enjoying her decision to wear long pants instead of shorts on this hike.

Laie

Chico flashbacking to his Army days as he low crawled through the uluhe ferns.

Laie

The birthday boy probably thinking he should wished for a different hike.

Laie

You can see Edgar’s shakas somewhere in that hot mess of a jungle.

Laie

Forced smiles. We are smiling on the inside.

Laie

Pushing through this insufferable overgrowth was taxing to say the least.

Laie

Somebody was muttering about mechanical extraction and threatening assault or something worse on some green-yellow shirted person. Must be the jungle talking.

Laie

Alexis fighting the overgrowth or was it the overgrowth fighting Alexis?

Laie

Tessa and Akira looked like they were enjoying themselves. Immensely.

Laie Trail

Cristy leaving the painful memories behind her.

Laie Trail

Enjoying our well deserved relaxation amongst the pine trees. While it may have seemed like we spent an eternity in overgrowth hell, the elapsed time from the first person up the hill until the last person gained the ridge line was roughly a little less than an hour.

Laie Trail

Hanging upside down from a tree where gravity won and my phone fell to the ground. No insurance needed.

Laie Trail

My phone wasn’t the only thing that fell from the tree. Even monkeys fall from trees.

Laie Trail

CB and Chico ran up the hill to nowhere with their boundless energy.

Laie Trail

Two way traffic on the trail constructed in 1935.

All pau

Kenny got one more birthday gift in the form of 40 pine cones that were pelted at him while hiding behind the sign. Our birthday bushwhacking and waterfall-less hike covered 6.33 miles with awesome friends. Post hike meal at Saito and Pho where house condiments were used on outside food. The 100000000000 % annoying church slut skipped lunch as well. That explains the number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrHd4J4TzV4

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our bushwhacking birthday hike.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Cristy CM, Edgar Gamiao, Kenny Lui, 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.

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.

I had planned to do a solo slog from Laie to Pupukea. Two things did not happen. The solo and the cross-over parts. But, misery loves company. Thanks to Scott for tagging along.

Laie Trail

Hiking along the trail that was created back in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and was originally called the Wailele Trail.

Laie Trail

Walking high above the rutted and eroded dirt trail that only a dirt biker could love.

Laie Trail

Passing through the section of Cook Pines, these trees were introduced to Hawaii in the late 1800s and were part of the reforestation program due to overgrazing by introduced livestock, notable cattle. These trees are in no danger of dying out, as we saw the floor below the towering Araucaria columnaris were covered with young trees that can grow up to three feet per year and reach heights of up to 200′.

Laie Trail

Walking on the landslide that are found on all trails due to rainfall, erosion and gravity.

Laie Falls

No need to get wet, that will come in due time.

Laie Trail

Contouring our way next to the steep cliff and even steeper drop off to our left.

Laie Trail

Scott standing in one of three trenches that were dug during WW2, in the event of a Japanese land invasion, the Army had planned to blow up the trail, rendering it impassable to the invading army.

Laie Trail

We got within spitting distance of the foxhole that marks the summit when the weather turned from a pitter patter to pouring rain. Decided to give up the cross-over in torrential rain for a sunnier trip back down the trail.

Laie Trail

Never fails.

All pau

We ended our nearly 11 mile hike in sunny weather. Post hike meal at Papa Ole’s, a local favorite in the Hau’ula area. Scott had to wait for them to kill the cow before he got his plate lunch.

Photos 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.

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.

Met up with Art, Chris and Tessa to finish off my last section of the KST in the dry town of Laie.

Laie

Art and Chris were running fashionably late due to traffic and plumbing problems, so Tessa and I pushed off on the trail to wait for them. We saw the signs that Uncle Pele will be missed, so will the coconut signs that only a lawyer could love.

Laie Trail

Hiking up the section that only a dirt biker can love.

Laie Trail

Passing through the pine tree section.

Laie Trail

Heading up through the corridor of strawberry guava trees. Art wasn’t feeling himself, so he turned around to grab a snicker bar at the bottom and went back home.

Laie Trail

Tessa making her way to the summit.

Laie Summit

Group photo at the top with Lobelia Hill behind us.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Hi Ho Hi Ho, it’s off to bushwhacking we go! We push, pull, chop and get poked and whacked. Its what we do on a hike.

KST

The first stretch wasn’t actually that bad. It was mostly exposed ridge hiking with waist high shrubbery and false holes liberally sprinkled on the trail.

Malaekahana Junction

Chris planted his spare glove to mark the junction that has seen the green sign and other gloves come and go.

KST

Enjoying the fresh air and scenery while we can before plunging into head high overgrowth.

Kahuku Junction

Wallowing in the trails that the feral pigs have expanded and muddied.

KST

Making ourselves at home in the patch of uluhe ferns while we took our lunch break.

KST

Eye see the face for the trees.

KST

Tessa enjoying a break in the head high overgrowth …

KST

… before plunging back into the forest on steroids which at times forced us to crawl like our primate ancestors.

KST

Standing around the overgrown gully that we thought we had missed. The trail has gone back to Mother Nature and all her children.

Pu’u Hina

Tessa waving the machete that didn’t meet a single branch or fern, not at her hands at least.

KST

Going down another endless corridor of strawberry guava trees.

Black Junction

Celebrating my 15th finish of the KST with two of my oldest hiking friends. Salamat for the company!

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Walking on the road that is being rebuilt and resurfaced. Return of the Stryker Brigade?

All pau

Mahalo to Lilyn and Quan for meeting us at the end of our 13.12 mile traverse across the muddy and overgrown KST and taking us back to our cars. Post hike meal at Ted’s Bakery. Lots of mustard packets were there for the taking to be used for future hikes.

Photos taken by 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.

I bit off more than I could chew on today’s hike. I was a tad ambitious in thinking that I could traverse from Poamoho to Pupukea in a single daylight day. My lack of fleetness and the punishing overgrowth and mud had me throw in the towel and cutting the hike short at Laie. I still spent a whole day in the mountains by myself. Forest time. Solitude time.

Poamoho Trail

A big thanks to Richie and Roseann for dropping me off at the trailhead. The overgrowth on the jeep trail was really out of hand which cut the driving time to a crawl.

Poamoho Trail

Going up the graded trail which looked like it was recently cleared and ate my banana breakfast at the halfway point.

Poamoho Summit

The winds were blowing the clouds away at the summit. Breathtaking as always.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

I left the Cline Memorial and the overgrowth was already impasssable on the trail, so I dropped to the fence line and followed it to the gate. A bad harbinger of things to come.

KST

Passing a lobelia plant that seemed on the verge of blooming.

Boot Junction

One hour after leaving the summit, I reached the boot that has seen better days.

KST

I elected to save my energy and plowed right through all the mud pits scattered along the trail. It takes too much energy trying to detour around them and not get muddy. Why stave off the inevitable? Embrace the mud. People pay good money to soak in mud. I was getting it all for free.

Rabbit Hole

My head was hunkered down as I was trying to make good time and before I knew it, I had overshot the junction and was almost at the doorstep of the Army Cabin. #*$@*!

Papali Junction

The weather had took a turn for the worse as I reached the Papali Junction complete with a spanking new sign.

KST

Meandered through the mountains as the trail contoured around the hills with trails that seemed to be surrendering back to Mother Nature in spots.

KST

Pushing my way through mud pits and clouds of uluhe, clidemia, thimbleberry thorns and other plants soon sapped my energy. I was not making good time.

KST

Taking a load off my legs as I rested on the scenic rock looking out towards the Waianae Mountain Range.

Koloa Cabin

I reached the cabin at 1pm, which was significantly slower than my last solo trek. I decided that the overgrowth was probably going to be worst past Laie based on how things were going, so I took a break at the cabin and decided to bail down Laie.

KST

Leaving the fence line behind me as I pushed towards Kawailoa.

KST

Descending down towards the bowl shaped depression.

Laie Summit

I reached my last summit at 3pm. My body and mind had enough of the KST today. The sole-sucking mud and punishing overgrowth had totally taxed what meager willpower I had in me. Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.

Laie Trail

Going down the six mile trail with another brand new sign.

Laie Trail

Passing the waterfalls where I heard some trail runners laughing ahead of me. Wish I could have laughed at that point. I was just bone tired.

All pau

My hike covered almost 16 miles through some of the worst overgrowth on the trails that I have witnessed in recent memory. Thanks to Quan for picking me up at the end. Post hike meal at Kenko-ya where everybody knows your name or at least your favorite dish. Order at the door. Better than door dash.

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 decided to get wet in the mountains today. All wet. All day. Met up with Allison, Art, Cisco and Quan in the historical sanctuary for fugitives. Sort of fitting. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Making our way up the rutted trail that only a dirt biker can love. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Trail

Light showers moisturized our bodies and the trail. Somebody asked about flash floods. Plan B? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Trail

Entering the introduced pine tree forest that was planted to retard the erosion brought on by the introduced cows and pigs.

Trail

We soon left the trail and dropped down the steep flank of the ridge where our progress was thankfully slowed by the invasive strawberry guava trees.

Trail

Art descending down to the stream …

Kahawainui Stream

… that was covered in a tangled thicket of mangrove trees.

Kahawainui Stream

We had to contort our bodies to fit over, through and under the twisted and often rotting branches that were floored by slippery rocks. Did everybody stretch before the hike? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

Snap, Crackle and Pop. We’re not talking about breakfast cereal here. Treading on the often rotten branches could be more harmful to your health than a sugary bowl of morning goodness. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Cisco going through a relatively “open” area of the “trail.” Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Low clearance. Glad none of us were basketball players. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Out of the woods. Not quite yet. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

It wasn’t pretty. But whatever works. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Fighting against the current, just like migratory salmon. Except we’re not spawning, just hiking.

Kahawainui Stream

Quan going against the flow. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Cisco preparing to climb up through some boulders.

Kahawainui Stream

Out of the stream and back into the water. Ice cold water. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Human anchor pressed into service. My nickel rate must not be keeping up with inflation. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

All this running water. Bathroom break? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

Allison working her way up to the next waterfall.

Kahawainui Stream

What waterfall is this? Who’s counting? Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Quan climbing her way to the top.

Kahawainui Stream

Can we climb that waterfall?

Kahawainui Stream

Perhaps not.

Kahawainui Stream

Rock hopping our way up the stream. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

The group deciding on which direction to wade through the pool of brown water.

Kahawainui Stream

Using the trees to pull ourselves up to go around the twin waterfalls. Photo by Art Young.

Forever 21

Happy belated Birthday Cisco!

Kahawainui Stream

Climbing up the side of the waterfall … Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

… that was a two-tiered fall.

Kahawainui Stream

Somebody wanted to take a bath in the ice cold water. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

It was wet, cold and exhausting trying to pull myself up this particular waterfall. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

So we decided to detour up and around the hill to bypass the fall. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Going up another two-tiered waterfall. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

The group trying to stay dry as long as possible by avoiding the water on a waterfall hike.

Kahawainui Stream

Climbing up the moss slicked rocks. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Watching the rest of the group climb their way up. Photo by Art Young.

Kahawainui Stream

Somebody really liked playing in the water. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kahawainui Stream

The waterfall that stopped us dead in our tracks. The flow was too strong to climb up and no place to be seen to detour.

Ridge

We decided to make like a tree and leave. Straight up bushwhacking on a uluhe infested spur ridge. Whose idea was this?

Ridge

Sucking pollen and dust in as we plowed our way through the interlocking and clawing ferns.

Ridge

We soon reached the top of the ridge line and after some crude wayfinding, we determined that the trail was below us somewhere. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Art dropped down to the trail and yelled out that the descent wasn’t that bad. Somebody was extremely glad to be back on a “real trail.”

All pau

Going back to our cars after our waterlogged hike. Fun day with good friends. Need to go back and finish the hike one day. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. Hot soup does a body good.

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.

Back for a mud bath. Good for the soul and your body. Or so they said. Or was it you will have fun? Photo by Barry Lau.

Trailhead

A big shout out to Daryl and Edgar for driving us from Laie to the trailhead.

Poamoho Trail

The trail actually looked in better shape than the last time we saw it. Marked improvement. Kudos to the individual(s) or group(s) responsible for slowly restoring the trail back to its former self.

Poamoho Trail

Crossing over another landslide section. Photo by Barry Lau.

Poamoho Trail

Art passing underneath a testament to the raw power of Mother Nature as she constantly changes the terrain.

Poamoho Trail

Looking out to the still ravaged trail. Photo by Art Young.

Poamoho Trail

It would have been something to have been witness to the raw fury that was unleashed in these mountains over six months ago. From a safe distance of course.

Poamoho Trail

Scrambling over a couple small blowdowns. Photo by Barry Lau.

Poamoho Trail

Leaving the maintained one for the unmaintained trail. What a relief.

Poamoho Trail

Catching the fleeting views. Photo by Art Young.

Poamoho Summit

Barry soaking in the sun while it lasts. Photo by Art Young.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Passing the escargot holding area as we crossed through the gate and the mountains untamed views. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Contouring below the fence line and a very old landslide. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Back on the fence line with windows of the views peeking through the clouds.

Boot Junction

It helps to be tough as old shoe leather to hike this trail.

KST

Standing at the crossroads. One way to the waterfalls and the other way to more mud than you can shake a shoe at. Tough decisions.

KST

Group photo before going down the rabbit hole. The very muddy hole.

KST

Barry experiencing the immersive experience of one of the deepest of the mud pits to be found on the trail.

Papali Junction

Taking a short break at the terminus that also leads down into the Windward side. But that was not our route today.

KST

Throw in a pinch of overgrowth and mixed with the mud for good measure. Photo by Barry Lau.

KST

Looking out towards the Windward coastline as the seemingly monotonous trail meandered its way through the mountains.

KST

Art putting the rock to good use. Never mind the rat carcasses littered around him.

KST

Barry climbing out of the notch that signaled that we were close to regaining the muddy fence line that would take us to the most spacious cabin on the KST.

Koloa Cabin

Locked up tighter than a drum.

KST

Climbing down the steepest section of the trail. Photo by Barry Lau.

KST

Making our way down through the bowl shaped depression.

Laie Summit

Clear views all around us at the 2,240′ foxhole.

Laie Trail

Descending down the convoluted ridge line. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Making our way down the side of the steep cliff.

Laie Trail

No side trip to the refreshing pool below us. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Going back down the long rut of an eroded trail. Photo by Art Young.

All pau

Mahalo to the friendly farmer that gave us a ride halfway out the road.

GPS Tracks

Our muddy grinder of a hike covered over 15 miles through the Northern Ko’olau Mountains with good company. Post hike meal at Jade Dynasty where we arrived, some more dirty than others, to celebrate Narissa’s 39th birthday. Say what?

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.

We went back to the land of cannibal chickens where the grass needed to be mowed and the bushes trimmed back. Wishful thinking.

Trailhead

Thanks to Daryl and Lilyn for shuttling Art, Barry, Chris, CJ, Quan, Tessa and myself from Laie. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

When the scare doesn’t go off as planned.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Repairing the road for the return of the Stryker Brigade? Photo by Art Young.

Pupukea Trail

Leaving the road for the trail. Don’t let the hunting dogs make you miss the turn off. Inside joke. Photo by Art Young.

Black Junction

Group photo at the traditional start of the 52 mile plus traverse along the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Pushing our way to the first summit of the day. Photo by Art Young.

Pu’u Hina

What do you do when not everybody wants to get up from their posterior to take the group photo. Ghetto improvisation.

KST

Leaving the summit for overgrown pastures. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Keep to the left to stay on track. Detour to the right to go off exploring the other side of the hill.

KST

Pushing our way through the overgrowth.

KST

Quan’s hair got into a tussle with Mother Nature. Guess who won? Photo by Art Young.

KST

Flagging the trail. Accidentally.

KST

Group photo at the halfway spot.

KST

Making our way to the lunch spot. What? The lunch spot!

Maleakahana Junction

From one hand to another. The old glove marker was getting long in the tooth.

KST

The overgrowth tapered off as … Photo by Barry Lau.

KST

… the trail meandered through the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Summit

Group photo at the foxhole left to right: Art, Chris, myself, Quan, CJ, Tessa and Barry.

Laie Trail

Leaving the 2,240′ summit.

Laie Trail

It was all downhill on the six mile graded trail punctuated with native forest, slippery rocks, uluhe ferns, landslides, pine trees and rutted trails.

Laie Trail

Passing the steep cliff on our left and coastal views on our right.

Laie Falls Junction

Somebody’s idea of washing their spikes in the waterfalls went out the window as the day became longer than expected. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Art in the middle of the stand of towering pine trees.

Laie Trail

Keeping up with the goat. Photo by Barry Lau.

Laie Trail

Some people come down in their own different ways. Photo by Art Young.

All pau

Catching the pine tree filtered sunset on our way down as we finished our 13 plus mile hike filled with stifling overgrowth and good company. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

GPS Tracks

Some people had to rush to go home and the beach. The rest of us had our post hike meal at Zippy’s where some people like to pay for expensive soup sans the oxtail.

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.