I closed out the year with a short hike with Aida, Allison, Ed and Sally on the East side of the island. Thanks to Aida for giving Allison and myself a ride to the trailhead.

Trailhead

We bypassed the heiau and found Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Contouring our way up to the ridge line. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Resting rock. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Heading up the dry ridge line. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Looking back at Koko Crater and Koko Head, which are interchangeable to most people. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Kamiloiki Ridge

The group continuing their slow and steady climb to the summit. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Resting tree. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Starting and stirring the imaginary fire pit. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamiloiki Ridge

The crew reunited. Less resting and more hiking.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Going up the pine tree corridor. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamiloiki Ridge

Sally hugging the tree, lest gravity roll her back down. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Kamiloiki Summit

We met up with Madeline and Jeremy at the summit. Small world.

Kamiloiki Summit

Group photo with the wide angle to make our bodies look slightly distorted.

Camp Awesome

Sally as the sacrificial lamb in the illegal fire pit. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

We left the summit to traverse on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Allison and Ed climbing down the exposed rock section. Photo by Sally Chow.

KSRT

Sliding down the slippery slope of pine needles. Should have brought our cardboard boxes. Photo by Ed Valdez.

KSRT

Breaking out onto the exposed ridge line with sweeping views of the Waimanalo coastline. Photo by Allison Banks.

KSRT

Looking back as the group climbs and contours their way around the numerous rock faces dotting the ridge line.

KSRT

Sally climbing down backwards. Photo by Ed Valdez.

KSRT

Aida and Allison contouring their way around a rock face. Photo by Ed Valdez.

KSRT

Looking back as the group crests over the top of a hump on the ridge line.

Tom-Tom Junction

Ed at the terminus to the trail that leads down into Waimanalo and roaming dogs. Photo by Sally Chow.

Tom-Tom Junction

Only the girls were happy. The boys were just don’t worry.

KSRT

Standing on a photogenic spot. Photo by Sally Chow.

KSRT

The group contouring around the photogenic spot.

KSRT

Always test the printer cable before using it to climb up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Did you test the cable? Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Sitting on a photogenic spot. Photo by Sally Chow.

KSRT

Aida on the feathery ferned trail. At least it wasn’t those scratchy uluhe ferns. Photo by Ed Valdez.

KSRT

Climbing up the exposed ridge line to the summit. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Allison standing near the terminus for Mariners Windward. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Mariners Summit

Tight squeeze on the summit for our group photo. What happened to social distancing?

Mariners Ridge

Heading down the trail that Kamehameha Schools would like us to forget.

Mariners Ridge

We came across what was either a pseudo-Boy Scout Camp or homeless shelter.

Trail

Branching off the main trail as we descended down a spur ridge towards Hahaione Valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

This trail just goes to prove that once one door closes, another opens. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

In the thick of the woods trying to find our way out.

Trail

Out of the woods. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Trail

Contouring around the water tank that looked like it had a fresh coat of graffiti on it.

All pau

Walking downhill to our cars. Well, one had to walk uphill on behalf of the others. You can always have too much hiking. Photo by Ed Valdez.

GPS Tracks

Our end of the year hike covered 4.75 miles with good company. No fireworks or post hike meal today. Happy New Year to all my friends that have kept me company in the mountains and looking forward to new adventures next year.

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.