Returned back to the mountains after a two-week hiatus filled with Christmas parties and festivities. Met up with Chris and Ferlino at Tanatalus. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off again.

Trailhead

Chris keeping the sign under wraps until we get to the summit.

Kalawahine Trail

Pushing off on the trail that is part of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System, a sprawling network of 19 connected trails in the Maikiki Heights area.

Kalawahine Trail

Chris crossing the plank into the mixed forest.

Kalawahine Trail

The trail meandered in and out of the numerous gulches.

Kalawahine Trail

Groot is alive and well in the Maikiki Forest.

Kalawahine Trail

Stepping up the trail. We must be on a Na Ala Hele Trail.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Taking a left at the junction on the heavily rooted trail.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Back on the boardwalk, dry shoes for now.

Pauoa Flats Trail

Bogging our way through the bamboo forest.

Nu’uanu Overlook

We popped out of the forest to the windswept view at the 1,600′ lookout.

Trail

Contouring on the Windward side of the ridge which afforded us views of upper Lulumahu Falls on our way up.

Twin Testicles

We got an itch to scratch up there or down there.

Trail

Looking down at the ridges flowing into Nu’uanu Valley.

Trail

Whew! That was a good cardio burn going up the hill. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

K2

Group photo at the socked in summit, left to right: Chris, myself, Ferlino and a girl from Utah that had come up from the Pali Notches. Mahalo to Chris for taking the time out to make a sign marking the summit of Konahuanui 2.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

The girl from Utah decided to join our group as the clouds began drifting away.

KSRT

Wrap around ridge views of Maunawili Valley as we dropped off K2.

KSRT

One of my favorites sections of the KSRT due to the broad ridge with the grassy meadows on the side and the straight shot view to Makapu’u. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Manoa Middle

Hmmm, what is the rated load limit for that tree? Photo by the girl from Utah.

KSRT

Making our way to contour around the ironwood stand and crawl over the sedan rock.

KSRT

We decided to drop off the ridge and explore the contour trail on the Leeward side.

Trail

Coming around the contour trail with Manoa Valley behind us. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KSRT

On our steep climb to Olympus, we lost the girl from Utah, who had enough of being cut and scratched on her legs by the uluhell ferns and decided to go down the Waahila Trail.

KSRT

The hills have hills in these mountains as Ferlino can attest.

Awaawaloa (Olympus)

Picking out Olomana, Manana Island, Koko Head, Ka’au Crater and Diamond Head from the 2,486′ summit.

Awaawaloa (Olympus)

Looking down at the contour trail continuing beneath the Ka’au Crater Loop trail as it left a brown streak across nature’s lawn. Photo by Chris Bautista

KSRT

Dropping down from Olympus.

KSRT

Making our way to the tuff cone nestled against the Ko’olau Mountains that are marked with twin power poles marring the otherwise scenic view.

Ka’au Crater

I guess it’s always Flag Day in the mountains.

Ka’au Crater

How many hills are there in the mountains? Many. With more to come.

KSRT

The bamboo staff has been passed along. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

KSRT

Enjoying the superb valley view before climbing up the big hill.

KSRT

Ferlino and Chris making their way up the mother of all hills on this particular section.

Pu’u Kainawa‘anui

Ferlino arriving at the 2,520′ summit. No rest for the weary as we continued on the trail.

KSRT

Passing a false summit before gaining the “true” summit of Lanipo.

Lanipo

Soaking in the coastal, mountain and valley views from the top.

KSRT

Passing the Waialae Nui junction on our way down the HECO pole lined ridge.

KSRT

Coming up from the helipad through the freshly shaven trail, courtesy of HECO. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Wiliwilinui

Some hikers got carried to the 2,480′ summit. Lucky dawg!

KSRT

We left the summit that was quickly filling up with hikers coming up from the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail.

KSRT

Making our way across the undulating ridge.

Wailupe

Long gone are the green wooden sign and the colorful fluttering prayer flags.

KSRT

Passing the Waimanalo reservoir as we made our way across the slightly overgrown ridge.

KSRT

Encountering a stunted loulu palm tree on the trail.

KSRT

Almost there!

Hawaii Loa

Group photo at our final summit stop on the Ko’olau Mountains.

Hawaii Loa Trail

Leaving the 2,520′ summit.

Hawaii Loa Trail

Stepping our way down the ridge trail.

Hawaii Loa Trail

Going down the severely eroded and rutted trail.

Hawaii Loa Trail

Reflecting back on the mountain views.

All pau

Approaching the final ironwood stand before dropping back to our cars and leaving the gated community of the rich and famous.

GPS Tracks

Our pre-Christmas hike covered almost 10 miles that was filled with scenic views, cheer and good company. Post hike meal at Pieology. Loaded up the carbs for tomorrow’s hardest hike on Christmas Day.

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 to the mountains for another camping weekend. Met up with Ethan, Shirley and Yoly in Upper Manoa.

Trailhead

Ethan providing curbside assistance in the form of packing. No shoelace tying offered.

Trailhead

Let’s keep the noise down for the neighbors. Stay on the trail and watch out for blood thirsty mosquitoes. Let’s hike.

Kolowalu Trail

Shirley straddling one of many fallen trees on the trail.

Kolowalu Trail

Looking back at the view of Manoa Valley.

Kolowalu Trail

Going up the short, steep and heavily rooted trail.

Waahila Trail

Just asking. Are they ever going to maintain the trail beyond the sign?

Waahila Trail

Shirley going through the knee high uluhe ferns. Hiking wouldn’t be the same without them. Strange as that may sound.

Waahila Trail

Pushing up the last section of the steep and rutted trail. Glad it wasn’t raining today. Otherwise, it would have been mud city.

Awaawaloa Summit

Group photo at the 2,486′ summit with Ka’au Crater behind us, left to right: myself, Yoly, Ethan and Shirley.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail

We briefly chatted with some other hikers and left the summit to drop down onto the trail.

KSRT

Looking back at the summit more commonly known as Mount Olympus.

KSRT

Making our way towards the power lines that tower over one of three tuff cones on the island.

Ka’au Crater

We ran across some European hikers and failed to take a single picture of the crater. I think this spot is the last we saw of Yoly’s Hana Pa’a hat.

Kainawa’au Summit

Yoly making her way up to the summit where the Mau’umae ridge trail terminates.

KSRT

Shirley headed towards the peak of True Lanipo.

KSRT

Coming down to a stunning valley view of town. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

True Lanipo Summit

I have a dream. A pipe dream? Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Headed down to the HECO poles that bridge the power divide between Leeward and Windward.

KSRT

Shirley and Yoly vying to be the next HECO pole replacements.

KSRT

Enjoying the relatively wide open roped trail while it lasts, courtesy of HECO.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Group photo at the 2,480′ congested summit, left to right: Yoly, Shirley, myself and Ethan.

KSRT

We left the teeming summit to resume our hike.

KSRT

Two way traffic on the trail. Who yields first?

Hawaii Loa Summit

The minimalist hiker, who eschews fancy hiking shoes and gear, has come home to roost. I don’t need your offers of water or food, but thank you. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Hawaii Loa Summit

Panoramic view from the 2,520′ summit.

KSRT

Back on the trail.

Kulepeamoa Summit

Can you see the palm tree from 2,480’? Photo by Shirley.

Pu’u o Kona Summit

Ethan took his leave of us, as he had a house to watch and left us in a cloud of uluhe ferns and dust.

KSRT

Shirley dropping down from the summit.

KSRT

Yoly passing over an eroded section of the trail.

KSRT

Headed towards our camp site. Or so we thought.

KSRT

This is not going to work after all. So much for the IG photo shoot. Plan B. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Leaving behind compacted dirt and crushed dreams.

KSRT

Shirley on the exposed and eroded section of the trail.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Yoly decided that her dwindling water supply necessitated a return down the trail with promises of returning the next day with breakfast service or something close to it. We set up our tents and got ready for cooking when a loud scream cut through the air and a bare footed Shirley ran after her rolling water bottle down the cliff. Something to have experienced in person.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Tucked away in our tents for the windy night. Chris had summited with Ted earlier in the evening to join us at the camp site. Ted shot a couple sunset photos and trotted down the Kuli’ou’ou Trail to go back home. Photo by Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Our first visitor at the summit to greet the sunrise with us.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Squatters in the tent. Oh, it’s Yoly! Photo by Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Sunrise group photo at the windy 2,028′ summit, left to right: Chris, myself, Yoly and Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Chris jumping for joy. Photo by Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Guess who brought us carbonated beverages for breakfast?

KSRT

The summit began to slowly fill with hikers as we left the summit.

KSRT

Looking back as we saw more hikers joining the swelling crowd at the top.

Hahaione Junction

Group photo of a semi-dressed, over dressed and dressed hikers.

KSRT

Shirley trudging up through a carpet of pine needles.

KSRT

Yoly at a scenic point.

KSRT

Winding our way through the heavily forested section of the trail.

KSRT

We broke out of the forest to the exposed section of the trail affording scenic views of the East Valleys.

KSRT

Making our way to Mariner’s Ridge Summit.

Kaluanui Summit

Looking up towards the sunny top.

Kaluanui Summit

The group making their way up the rocky cliff to the abandoned summit.

Kaluanui Summit

Can you see us? Chris and Yoly hiked up to the knob.

Kaluanui Summit

Can you see us? We stayed back at the summit. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Kaluanui Summit

Shirley showing how to climb and pose at the same time.

Kaluanui Summit

Group photo at the top of Mariner’s Windward Ridge.

KSRT

Looking out towards Waimanalo with her white sand beaches and inviting blue green water.

KSRT

Hike like a snake.

KSRT

Breaking free of the overgrowth to the open rocky ridge line.

KSRT

Looking out towards Koko Crater.

KSRT

We are hiking through another dimension, a dimension not only of pose offs…

KSRT

…but one captured through composition and lighting.

KSRT

We are hiking into a land where time stands still. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

You unlock this door with the key of the perfect photo. Fail and you are stuck in photographic purgatory. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

You’re moving into a land of colors, shapes and lines. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of angle and perspective. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

You’ve just crossed over into the Photo Shoot Zone.

Bells Tower

Climbing up the rock formation also known as Rito’s Tower.

KSRT

Looking out at Keahupuamaunalua Pond that once sprawled over 500 acres but has since been shrunk by urban constriction and development.

Tom Tom Ridge

The Windward ridge that will take you to the bottom of Waimanalo.

KSRT

Whack-a-hiker. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Shirley looking down into the deep gorge.

KSRT

Cliff notes on rock climbing.

KSRT

Time to leave all this fun behind us as we had places to go. Other photo shoots were waiting on the trail.

KSRT

Shirley sitting on a tree … Wait, we are missing someone ….

KSRT

… Let’s go back to hiking.

Kamiloiki Summit

Group photo minus one at the 1,245′ summit. Dropping elevation as we made our way down the ridge line.

KSRT

Panoramic view of the Ko’olau Range and the Waimanalo basin.

KSRT

Approaching the communications tower.

KSRT

Humping the middle of the saddle.

KSRT

Coming up from the saddle. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Yoly sitting on a rock.

KSRT

Shirley sitting on a different rock.

KSRT

Yoly scrambling her way to the top.

KSRT

Just missing the bars, I mean doors. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Dead Man’s Catwalk

I guess it worked. Tear it down and they will stop coming. Haiku stairs – watch out.

KSRT

A plastic lawn chair with a million dollar view.

KSRT

Enjoying the sweeping views of Manana and Kaohikaipu Islands, Makai Pier, Sea Life Park and Makapu’u Lighthouse as we continued our way down.

KSRT

Making our way down to the puka.

KSRT

Looking straight down the backside of Kohelepelepe.

Makapu’u Puka

Warming up for another photo shoot … Photo by Shirley.

Makapu’u Puka

… because you can’t just take one photo at the puka.

KSRT

Hiker see … Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

… hiker do.

KSRT

Shaka in the puka. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

We were blessed with trade winds and overcast conditions which helped immensely as there was no shade on this section of the trail.

KSRT

Sun beams splashing across the landscape and washing over the group. Magical and mystical. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

KSRT

Making our way down to the lookout.

Kalanianaole Highway

Why did the hiker cross the road? To join the other hikers. Photo by Shirley.

All pau

Going to the lighthouse? Not today. Mahalo to Jasmin for picking us up at the lookout. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

GPS Tracks

Our weekend hike covered 14.3 miles that was blessed with beautiful weather, fun times and great company. Post hike meal at Kona Brewery Company, because somebody wanted to quaff a beer labeled in the islands but brewed in California.

Note: I have been made aware the 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.