Met up with Aida, Chico, Ferlino and Tessa on the ridge that are home to WW2 bunkers and significant Hawaiian burial sites, as it was a place of refuge during the time of King Kamehameha. Unfortunately it was not a place of refuge for a 2D Jackson chameleon, a lizard that was imported from Kenya by Robin Ventura in 1972 to sell as pets but was deliberately released into his backyard as they looked rather unhealthy and he thought the fresh air would do them good. Instead, he unwittingly became the principal architect that began the invasive spread throughout the Hawaiian island chain with the exception of Kauai and Lanai.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Group photo at the trailhead before we pushed off. One had to be picked up and the other dropped off.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Walking on the path that began as the Wai’alae Trail back in the 1920s.

Wiliwilinui RIdge Trail

Going up the stairs with the backdrop of panoramic views of East Honolulu behind me.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Group photo at the 2,480′ summit along with Jeff and Rocky who we met at the top.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the summit as we traversed the ridgeline that was being lightly washed by rain showers.

KSRT

Going up the ridge line that is punctuated by HECO powerline poles.

True Lanipo

Standing at the terminus of the ridge that Dick Davis down climbed back on Christmas Day in 1944, resulting in the loss of all his fingernails.

KSRT

Man down! Chico getting a couple pairs of helping hands to pull himself out of his predicament that was brought on by his spikes.

Kainawa’aunui Summit

Group photo at the socked in 2,520′ summit.

KSRT

We dropped in elevation and also left the cloud cover behind us as well.

KSRT

Letting gravity take us down the “Big Hill.”

KSRT

Descending down from the steep hill and back on relatively flat ridge line.

KSRT

Group photo at the resplendent valley views of town and Diamond Head.

KSRT

Ferlino climbing up another hill with views of three peaks behind him. No finger pointing.

Kau’au Crater

When one is out in the wilderness and lacking zip ties to secure their spikes, one can just use the abundant uki grass instead. Eco hiking at its finest.

Kau’au Crater

Going down the eroded and rutted trail that leads to the twin powerline towers that overshadows the tuff cone that was created from the extinct volcanic crater.

Kau’au Crater

Looking into the marsh filled crater and Palolo Valley that was once home to an airfield in WW2. The name “Ka’au” came from the name of a supernatural chicken that lived in the valley, Ka’auhelemoa.

Kau’au Crater

Where there is a structure to climb, Chico and Ferlino will be on it.

Kau’au Crater

The rest of us had our feet firmly planted on the ground.

KSRT

Heading towards the notch that marks the ascent towards the summit of ‘Awa’awaloa.

‘Awa’awaloa

Climbing up the base of the mountain.

‘Awa’awaloa

Watching Ferlino and Aida making their way to the summit.

‘Awa’awaloa Summit

Lunch break at the 2,486′ summit also known as Mount Olympus.

Wa’ahila Ridge Trail

Briskly going down the steep, eroded and rutted trail. I sense a pattern here.

KSRT

Stepping foot on the Castle trail.

KSRT

Back on the ridge line.

KSRT

Contouring through the thick, tangled hot mess of uluhe ferns and other vegetation.

KSRT

Hello from Sedan Rock.

KSRT

Climbing up the exposed ridge line. The views were infinitely better and the ventilation was a much needed relief.

KSRT

Heading towards the patch of ironwood trees.

KSRT

Aida and Ferlino picking their way on the ridge line.

KSRT

A solitary fiery lehua blossom standing out on our climb to the summit.

Manoa Middle Summit

Chico needed another hand, at least it wasn’t to get pulled out of the bushes again.

Manoa Middle Summit

Our last group photo at our last summit. The original plan was to exit down Piliwale Ridge, but time and spirits dictated otherwise.

Manoa Middle Trail

Going down the initially steep ungraded trail towards Manoa Valley.

Manoa Middle Trail

Climbing down the steep cliff.

Queen’s Bath

Will the real Queen’s Bath please wash itself?

Pu’u Pia Trail

The climb up our last hill registered on Tessa’s face. Somebody needed medicine. A certain type of medicine.

All pau

Exiting the heavily rooted and rocky trail where Jasmin picked us up. Our traversal over the Ko’olau Mountains covered slightly less than seven miles with good company. Post hike meal at Pho Time where certain individuals should not be discussed as it will result in high blood.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, 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 to pick up from we left last week.

Trailhead

Met up with Chico, Karen and Rose in the gated community to start our hike. But first, a group selfie photo.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Passing underneath what we initially thought was a fallen tree, that turned out to be a HECO utility pole waiting to be erected.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Reversing hiker etiquette.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Looking back at the Sikorsky S-61 helo peeling off from probably standing up the pole we had passed earlier on the trail.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Climbing up the muddy stairs.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Approaching the communications tower and cloud saturated summit.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Panoramic view from the 2,480′ summit.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Lucky we are illiterate.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

We left the summit and dropped in elevation underneath the cloud cover where the Windward views opened up to us.

KSRT

Why go in a straight line, when you can weave in and out?

KSRT

The clouds being kept at bay on the Leeward side.

Kainawa’au Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ summit with cloud tinted views.

KSRT

Scooting our way down the grassy hill.

KSRT

The group coming down the big hill, glad we came down and not up.

KSRT

Photographer is waiting.

KSRT

Scenic shots of the valley with the hardest hike framed in the background.

Ka’au Crater

Going down the heavily rutted trail which would give Moanalua Middle Ridge a run for its money.

Ka’au Crater

Approaching the first set of powerline towers which stands over the marsh filled crater, one of three tuff cones on the island.

Ka’au Crater

Young at heart. When the mind is willing, but the body is not.

KSRT

Making our way to the towering peak on the ridge line.

KSRT

Chico climbing his way out of the notch.

KSRT

Making our way to the top of Mount Olympus. A compressed cardio climb.

‘Awa’awaloa Summit

Group photo at the eroded summit with Ka’au Crater in the cloudy background.

Wa’ahila Ridge Trail

Going down the slick muddy rutted trail.

Castle Trail

Contouring on the Castle-Olympus trail built back in 1911 and partially restored by unknown hikers.

KSRT

Back on the ridge line.

KSRT

Walking to the dealership to pick up our Flintmobile.

Sedan Rock

This is not your Father’s Oldsmobile. Or maybe it is.

KSRT

The group making their way over the undulating ridge line.

KSRT

Approaching the stand of pine trees on the ridge.

Manoa Middle Summit

The rest of the group reaching the summit.

Manoa Middle Summit

Sitting group photo looking into the cloud abyss punctuated by the drizzling rain showers.

Manoa Middle Trail

Rain showers washing over the verdant valley.

Manoa Valley

Dropping off the steep ridge line to the valley floor.

Manoa Valley

My precious.

Manoa Valley

Climbing up another steeply compressed cardio climb to pick up the trail which would deposit us back into civilization.

All pau

Thanks to Lilia for picking up four hikers in varying degrees of muddiness.

GPS Tracks

Our KST crossover tracked 7.43 miles with new and old friends. Post hike meal at Aina Haina Chop Suey. Family style.

Photos taken by Chico Cantu, Karen Bischoff, Rose Mathis 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.