We woke up to our last day on the Big Island with not enough sleep under our eye bags.

SCP Hilo Hotel

Never try to manually rotate the ceiling fan unless you are prepared for the backlash. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kilauea Iki Trail

We drove back to the Volcano National Park to hike through a crater that last erupted in 1959, the year of Statehood.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Going through the ancient rain forest. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Scenic spots along the trail provided views of the contrasting crater floor below us. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kilauea Iki Trail

We kept left at several junctions to stay on trail.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Descended over 400′ from the rim down to the crater floor. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Following the ahu (stacked rocks) to stay on trail. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kilauea Iki Trail

No active steam vents were observed when walking on the cracked and texturized surface of the crater floor. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Approaching Pu’u Puai (gushing hill), a cinder cone formed during the 1959 eruption. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Merging with the stream of hikers on the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Aida and Tessa framed by the branches of an ohia lehua tree, which are the first plants to grow out of cooled lava flows. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Reaching the end of the crater floor as the trail started to go back up to the crater rim. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Tessa looking back at the crater floor that was once an active lava lake. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Ohelo bushes help to colonize the volcanic landscape with its mass of fine roots that help to capture water in the ground. Tart when eaten raw and a favorite snack for the Hawaiian nene goose.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Somebody thought that Aida needed a drink of water. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Quan seeking relief from the weathering sun.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Climbing the switch backs to the crater rim.

Kilauea Iki Trail

The ladies met up with two fellow hikers from Oahu on the trail, Andres and Miki. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Popping up at the Thurston Lava Tube parking lot.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Making our way back to the Kilauea Iki overlook, but first the ladies had to sit down.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Looking out to little Kilauea, the pit crater that we had just walked across.

Kilauea Iki Trail

Crawling out of a crack. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

All pau

Making our way back to the Jeep.

Highway Lava Tube

We drove down Highway 11 and eventually parked on a gravel spot to begin our last and short hike. Spray painted white lines pointed us in the right direction.

Highway Lava Tube

The first lava cave branched off to the left of the trail.

Highway Lava Tube

Descending down into the natural conduit formed from receding lava. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Highway Lava Tube

Aida and Tessa decided to stay topside.

Highway Lava Tube

Heading into the drained tube with hanging lava icicles and walls shaped and textured by the molten lava that once flowed through this conduit.

Highway Lava Tube

We continued until the ceiling became lower and turned around. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Highway Lava Tube

Climbing our way back to the light over the rubble strewn path. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

All pau

I inhaled the directions back to the Jeep. Time was running out so we drove back to the airport and flew back home and ended another fun weekend. Photo by Aida Gordon.

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 spent our last day on Maui hiking around the dormant volcano that is actually taller than Mount Everest. Tried getting sunrise permits, which were all out. That meant a couple hours of extra sleep for us.

Haleakala Highway

Sharing the road with bicyclists as we took the winding road up to the top.

Silversword

We entered the sprawling park for free, thanks to Matt and his military service and saw a small scattering of the ahinahina in its natural habitat, the adaptive plants reputedly once covered the slopes like snow back in the day.

Pu’u ‘ula’ula

Panoramic view from 10,023′ of the crater with her different colored landscape and cinder cones populating the floor. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Observatories

Closed to visitation. No stargazing for us today.

Chukar partridge

Just looking for that pear tree now.

Sliding Sands Trail

Matt attempting to introduce waterfalls to the volcanic landscape.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

We would not be sliding down this trail today, as Matt had asked the park rangers earlier what the weather forecast held in store. Not good was the answer. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Sliding Sands Trail

Group photo left to right: Matt, myself, Ferlino, Analyn and Cisco.

Haleakala National Park

Ferlino walking the line. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kalahaku Overlook

We stopped further down the road to gather another perspective of the crater. Ferlino getting some air time in the parking lot. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kalahaku Overlook

Watching the contrail clouds roll into the crater. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kalahaku Overlook

Matt looking out towards the twin volcanoes of the Big Island.

Kalahaku Overlook

When the very thing you are looking for is right in your face. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalahaku Overlook

One last parting shot. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

Driving down the road, we somehow missed the Leleiwi Overlook and ended up in the parking lot for the Halemau’u Trail. Time to hike.

Halemau’u Trail

Making our way through the native shrubland, populated with nene, to the rim of the valley.

Halemau’u Trail

The group following the fence line until they regained the trail.

Halemau’u Trail

Standing on rainbow bridge, supposedly named more for the colorful plants that contrast with the volcanic rock than refracted light in the mist. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Halemau’u Trail

Making our way down to the very clear and cloud free crater. I guess the park rangers must be related to Guy Hagi.

Halemau’u Trail

The trail zig zagged over 18 times down the 1,000’+ cliff.

Halemau’u Trail

The trail started with long and winding switchbacks which afforded us spectacular views of the crater and the surrounding walls. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

Perched atop a protruding lava rock. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

The switch backs became shorter as we approached the gated grassy field at the bottom.

Halemau’u Trail

Setting foot on the crater floor, with only a mile of hiking left to the cabin.

Halemau’u Trail

Approaching the cabin with no reservations, just good intentions.

Holua Cabin

Group photo left to right: Ferlino, Analyn, myself, Matt, Nene, Cisco and Nene.

Nene

No feeding of the photo bombers.

Halemau’u Trail

After a short lunch break, we headed off to explore the nearby lava tube.

Lava Tube

Not this one? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lava Tube

This one. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lava Tube

Climbing down with out the assistance of a ladder. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Lava Tube

Illuminating our way as we headed deep into the lava tube.

Lava Tube

Group photo inside the cave.

Lava Tube

Climbing back up through the cavernous conduit that used to carry molten lava. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lava Tube

Matt standing underneath the natural skylight.

Lava Tube

Exiting the lava tube after traveling almost 900′ underground. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

Analyn basking in the lava field views. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Halemau’u Trail

Time to pay the piper in terms of gaining all that elevation back that we had lost earlier.

Halemau’u Trail

One last photoshoot above the clouds. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

All pau

Making our way back to the car.

GPS Tracks

Our 12.3 mile hike above the clouds had us walking through native shrubland, switch backing down a steep cliff, and exploring the crater of a dormant volcano. Not a bad day. Post hike meal at Paradise Supermarket, home to the best Filipino food on the island. Thanks to Matt and the group for another fun filled weekend.

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.

Flew over to the Valley Isle with Jasmin to do some exploring and hiking with Matt who was already there doing business. Thanks to Matt for picking us up at the airport, stopping at the market to pick up water and food and then heading off to the trailhead.

Trailhead

We yielded to the bovine blockade on the trail and made a wide detour to get around them.

Trail

Leaving the frisky cows behind us as we made our way down to the stream.

Trail

Getting our feet wet.

Trail

Rock hopping our way up the stream. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Trail

Jasmin and Matt balancing on the horizontal tree.

Trail

Playing in the hau jungle gym that was suspended above the floor.

Trail

Making our way underneath the thicket of hau branches. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Billabong

Taking a dip in the ice cold chest high water filled pocket.

Trail

More jungle gym time.

Billabong

This pocket was a little deeper so we edged around the hole to get to the other side.

Trail

The trail throws a little bit of everything at you – cow patties, rock hopping, hau tree jungles, billabongs, waterfalls and a lava tube. Hence the name, Commando. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

If a tree falls in the forest …

Jasmin pondering the age old philosophical question.

Trail

Preparing to climb our first waterfall.

Trail

Spider-manning our way to the top. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Matt at the mouth of the vegetation fringed lava tube.

Trail

Jasmin and myself heading into the water filled tube. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Climbing into the tube while the gushing water is trying to push you out. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Matt checking the grey skies before we were fully immersed in the lava tube lest we get caught and swept away by a flash flood.

Trail

Artificial light leading the way in the pitch black tube. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Natural light backlighting the way. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Entering the cavernous section of the tube that my poor photography fails to illuminate and illustrate.

Trail

Making my way up the showery ledge. No hiker left behind. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

We could see the light at the end of the lava tube.

Trail

You go that way and I’ll go this way. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waterfalls

Some people leave their hearts in cities, I just left my spikes. To complete the hike, one must climb to the top of the waterfall behind us and jump off into the pool below it. Guess we have to come back another time to finish the hike.

Trail

Is that the way to Na’ili’ili-haele Stream? Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Trail

I always thought they were more ornamental than edible.

Trail

We explored a little more upstream before turning around and heading back down.

NSFW

Nature’s Rorschach test. What do you see? Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Trail

Passing part of the sprawling ditch system that used to irrigate the sugar plantations of yesterday. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Red Bananas

Now all we need are some green eggs and ham for a color coordinated meal. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Papaaea Reservoir

Too bad we didn’t bring our fishing poles. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

All pau

We made it past the now slumbering cows with the bull still keeping an eye on us as we finished our less than four mile water park hike. Post hike meal at Paradise Market which serves up the best Chicken and Papaya. We rounded out the day with sightings of rainbow eucalyptus trees, turtle filled beaches, whales breaching and spouting, a full rainbow and ancient petroglyphs. Nothing to end the day like a dip in the hotel’s Jacuzzi. Had to settle for the swimming pool instead. Shout out to Matt again for his generous hospitality and for showing us this fun trail and other spots on the island.

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.

Today we gave our feet a rest and let the rubber meet the road. Met up with Chris, Glenn, Justin, Marvin and Thessa as we explored not so hidden and not so secret spots on the island. Photo by Marvin Chandra.

Hidden Bunkers

Looking at a shortcut up to the mountains. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Bunkers

Wandering in the woods. Thanks to Cisco and Dale for the info on these hidden bunkers.

Hidden Bunkers

The stairs going down to the dark, dank and deserted bunkers.

Hidden Bunkers

Marvin about to cross over the rubble landslide.

Hidden Bunkers

Skylight. Ventilation to release the trapped musty and foul odors.

Hidden Bunkers

I guess when you have to go, you have to go. I hope they at least wiped and washed their hands.

Hidden Bunkers

Father … Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Bunkers

… and son. That time forgot. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Hidden Bunkers

It was time to leave the concrete corridors littered with spent paint cans, emptied beverage cans and discarded human detritus, inorganic and organic. Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Bunkers

Almost every square inch of exposed concrete was tagged.

Hidden Bunkers

One last group photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Stairs

Thanks to Khym for the info on these stairs.

Hidden Stairs

Playground for adults? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Stairs

Fake climbing leads to cuts and scrapes. No visit to the karst today. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden Stairs

Real climbing leads to a fake cave. Photos by Marvin Chandra.

Hidden Stairs

Trying not to slip and slide down the chossy rocks. Some were more successful than others. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden petroglyphs

Marvin walking into the light.

Hidden petroglyphs

Coastal erosion constantly at work. Never turn your back on the ocean. She’ll snatch you away in the blink of an eye.

Hidden petroglyphs

Thanks to Marvin for pointing out the non-existent petroglyphs. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hidden petroglyphs

Rebuilt and retagged.

Manoa treehouse

Go away. No free spirits. Just hippies here. Take your yuppie drink with you as well.

Tantalus treehouse

All trails lead somewhere. Like a treehouse.

Tantalus treehouse

View of Diamond Head, the hardest hike on the island, bar none.

Tantalus treehouse

Creaking and popping. Wait, what is the weight limit? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Tantalus treehouse

Time to leave. Others were waiting to burden the tree with their weight as well.

Tantalus treehouse

I think the weight limit has been exceeded.

Tantalus treehouse

Not all roads lead one back down faster than the trails.

Heart Cave

Blowing kisses. Photo by Justin Hirako

Heart Cave

Who brings an umbrella to a hike. Excuse me, road trip. Marvin, that’s who. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Pipe

Flushed to the light.

Pipe

Inside and outside. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Pipe

One last look before we enjoyed our post hike lunch meal at Tacos and More. No more unlimited salsa.

Tunnels

The mermaid caves were standing room only. So we found our own caves. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Lighthouse

Can we skip the entertainment and head straight to the food?

Lighthouse

Walking in the sand and being sprinkled by the rain.

Lighthouse

Steering hikers clear of obstacles since 1933. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Lighthouse

No sunset for us. We had to make do with the lights from the passing ships. Post hike dinner meal at Denny’s. No banana. No split. Great way to spend the day with good company.

I had a free week off in between jobs, so I visited my parents on the Big Island and squeezed in a couple of fun hikes.

Kaumana Caves

My first stop was Kaumana Caves which is a 15-20 minute drive from downtown Hilo.  The place has a sheltered picnic table, restrooms and drinking water. All the comforts a hiker can ask for.

Watch your step

Steep stairs descended into a mini-rain forest sprouting out of the breach of a 25 mile long lava tube that was created by an 1881 lava flow from Mauna Loa.

The right cave

I explored the smaller cave opening to the right side first.

Come to the dark side

Making my way down into the cave, the light soon left me, to be replaced by total darkness. Pitch black. Not a speck of light. Except for my headlamp.  

Got light?

The cave narrowed considerably at times, forcing me to duck and even crawl on all fours. I bumped my head more than once. On the solid lava ceiling. Ouch. 

Drip. drip. drip.

The constant dripping of water was my only company on this hike. Lava stalactites that were formed during the 1881 lava flow.

Grafitti!

Grafitti in the cave. Didn’t see no petroglyphs. Lighting was a problem. After stumbling in the semi-darkness for half an hour, I turned around.

The batcave!

I made my way to the larger cave opening on the left side.

Going down the rabbit hole

Appearances can be deceiving. The larger opening lead to a smaller opening.

Crawling is mandatory

I crawled under a ledge to start my second cave exploration.

Follow the lava tube

It was cool, literally, to be inside a pitch black lava tube, with only a headlamp to help navigate. It’s not just a hike, it’s an adventure.

Left or right?

Unlike the cave on the right, this one had sections with ceilings that looked at least 40′ high and even split lava tubes.

Time to turn back

Soon the cave floor became a maze of jagged and jumbled lava rocks, time for me to turn around. One could probably make a day of exploring the entire length of the caves in both directions. Just make sure you have backup on top of backup lights. Without lights, it would not be safe and fun getting out of there.

No rainbow?

I drove down the road to Wailuku River State Park for the easiest hike to a waterfall yet. Can’t even call it a hike. You park and Rainbow Falls is there, literally. No rainbows were present but at least the falls were gushing. Sometimes Mother Nature turns the waterfalls off due to lack of rain.  

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is also known as Waianuenue in Hawaiian. There is a trail by the sign that will take you to the top of the falls.

Wailuku River

There are another set of falls further upstream, known as Peepee Falls which feeds the famous pools known as Boiling Pots. Another hike for another day.

Top of the falls

Checking out the 80 foot drop. Now it was off to have an early dinner with my parents at Lava Rock Café. Try their Southern Fried Chicken. Tasty.