Met up with Analyn, Anne, Chris, Cisco and Ferlino to labor our way in the mountains this weekend. Thanks to Jasmin for waking up at an ungodly hour to drop us off.

Trailhead

Walking in the footsteps of the trains that once circled this part of the island.

Ridge

Making our way up the rocky ridge line.

ArtByEoin

The pill boxes have eyes. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kaena Point

Is it time to use the red light or the white light?

Golf ball

Too early for tee time. Photo by Chris Bautista

Sunrise

Silhouetted against the morning sky. Photo by Anne Fai.

Grazing

Nothing to see here. Mooove along.

Blue Flash

We were able to capture her in slow motion due to the absence of motorized vehicles. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kuaokala Trail

Leaving the road behind us.

Kuaokala Trail

Chris looking out at the Waianae coastline.

BSA 162

Sun out. Sunscreen on. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Guava Tree

Branch to mouth. No middleman here.

Kuaokala Trail

Enjoying the broad and flat jeep road while we can. Photo by Chris Bautista

Kuaokala Trail

Looking out from the tree lined trail. Photo by Chris Bautista

Shark Fin

We put our packs down for photoshoot #1.

Kuaokala Forest Reserve

Looking across the tree topped ridge lines. Photo by Anne Fai

Kuaokala Trail

Stepping down the eroded rocky section.

Kuaokala Trail

Back on the jeep road, with a communications tower seen in the distance. We have four bars.

Kuaokala Trail

Chris taking a nap on the trail. We have four zzzz’s.

Makua Rim

Looking into the historic valley that has yet to be scrubbed free from her military scarring.

Pahole

Entering 685 acres of protected native fauna and flora.

Not potable

Break time. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Makua Valley

Trying to get the synchronization down for photoshoot #2. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Back to our regularly scheduled program of hiking.

Fruit Pickers

We came down the ridge hoping to pick some juicy Tangelos. Our stomachs were sorely disappointed.

Da Glove

The KST has its boot and the WST has its glove. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Three Corners

Time to go from vertical to …

Three Corners

… horizontal. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Three Corners

Lunch break with views. Some of us were too tired to take in the views. One was never too tired for photoshoot #3. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ridge

Dropping down to the road that winds its way to the highest point on the island.

Fence

Swinging over the fence line. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Hairy Ball

Singular, not plural. What happens when you don’t clear the fence. Photo by Chris Bautista

Road Trip

The road was extremely punishing this time around. Frequent breaks were the order of the day.

Weeping Wall

Free water. Just bring your own bottles. Filter optional, but highly recommended. Photo by Chris Bautista

#78

The end of the very long road.

Mount Ka’ala

Setting up camp at the highest point on the island. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Mount Ka’ala

Communal dining while Cisco and I snored the night away. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Mount Ka’ala

Jumping for air at our 4,025′ camp spot. Our morning departure was slightly delayed by photoshoot #4. Photo by Chris Bautista

Ka’ala Bog

Stepping foot onto the boardwalk that winds it way through 1,100 acres of moss covered trees and native plants.

Ka’ala Bog

One can’t escape the mud in here, it’s inevitable.

Ka’ala Bog

One can’t seem to escape the fence line as well.

WST

Leaving the bog and heading down the muddy ridge.

Boulders

Slipping my way down the rocks. Photo by Chris Bautista

Boulders

Study in concentration. Hand there. Foot there.

Hammerhead Worm

“Landshark” bipalium searching for its prey. Photo by Anne Fai

Boulder

Put your backs into it and tell the photobomber to pitch in as well.

Get a shell

What? Take a picture, it’ll last longer.

WST

Back on the fence line. Photo by Anne Fai

Hobbs Junction

Melts in your mouth, not in your hands. I think its the other way around. Photo by Anne Fai

Trail hazard

The attack of the terrifying inch worm with its looping gait. Pull out the magnifying glasses for this one and use your earplugs.

WST

Climbing in and out of the gap. Photo by Chris Bautista

WST

Ferlino climbing up a short and steep rocky section.

Pu’u Kalena

Heavenly, as in the clouds, views at the second highest peak in the island. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

WST

We left the 3,504′ summit to go down the overgrown ridge that soon yielded to eroded patches of ridge line populated with pine trees.

WST

The smell of garlic shrimp seemed to be coming up from the valley or was it simply the collective stink of the group?

WST

We finally got a view. Better late than never. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Mountain views

Mount Ka’ala and Pu’u Kalena also cleared up for our viewing pleasures.

WST

We wrapped up photoshoot #5 and went down the spur ridge.

Scareface

Say hello to my little friend. Photo by Chris Bautista

WST

Going up the dike and … Photo by Analyn Baliscao

WST

… coming down from the dike. Photo by Analyn Baliscao

WST

We left the ridge and headed down towards the manmade pass that was blasted out of the mountains in the mid-1930s.

Pu’u Ka’ilio

Cisco looking at the crumbly pile of rocks that makes up the forbidden mountain.

WST

Watching the clouds lazily drift across the mountainous landscape as we made our way down.

Kolekole

Sliding our way down the raw and red terrain that lives up to its name. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

GI Joe

The lone surviving toy soldier. There could be other survivors out there.

Exit

We could smell the fried chicken and hear the carbonated soda fizzing or was I just hallucinating?

Kolekole Pass

Enjoying ice cold soda at the lowest point in the Waianae Mountains. Shout out to Matt for bringing us the refreshing beverages and Louisiana chicken.

Kolekole Pass

I guess red beans and rice can be explosive.

Kolekole Pass

Setting up camp and preparing for photoshoot #6. Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri

Camp Kolekole

All the greatest American and Filipino hits were being sung tonight.

Camp Kolekole

The karaoke gang migrated to somebody’s tent to have her join in, but she was busy washing herself with the extra water.

Camp Kolekole

Our morning departure was once again slightly delayed by photoshoot #7.

WST

Heading up the densely packed tree lined trail.

Nature recycling

Going up the corridor of paperbark trees.

WST

Matt at the top of the trail before it dips back down into the notches.

WST

Taking in the views. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

WST

Looking back at the West side. The best side.

WST

Cisco climbing out of the notches.

Rorshach Test

Mother Nature has a good sense of humor or some peoples minds are in the gutter. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

WST

Cisco and Matt on their way to the summit of Hapapa.

WST

This spider web was not even catching the dew drops, let alone any appetizing bugs. Location, location, location. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Pu’u Hapapa

Group photo at the squared 2,883′ summit left to right: Ferlino, Cisco, Matt, myself, Anne, Chris and Analyn. We sat down for photoshoot #8.

WST

Leaving the fifth highest peak on the West side.

WST

Following the fence line through the ridge line.

Bon Appetit

Finger food. It goes down slowly. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

WST

Making our way down to the rock edifice that dominates and straddles the ridge line.

WST

Climb or contour? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla

WST

Protruding rocks provided temporary relief from the cloying overgrowth.

Pu’u Kanehoa

Time to fly the drone again for the last time and our final photoshoot of the hike.

WST

Headed towards the most overgrown section of the WST.

Nobody better lay a finger on my butterfinger. Oh, wrong candy bar.

It was still hard, even after three days. Somebody should go see a doctor. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

WST

Bushwhacking our way through overgrowth …

WST

… upon more overgrowth. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

WST

Climbing out of the overgrowth as the clouds started to roll in towards the mountains. Photo by Chris Bautista

Gorilla Heads

Making our way to the two obstacles known as Gorilla Heads or Kryangles. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Gorilla Heads

O Christmas Tree. 113 days left. Photo by Chris Bautista

Gorilla Heads

Chris going up the little head. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Gorilla Heads

Cisco at the top. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Gorilla Heads

Chris dislodged a couple loose rocks climbing his way up the big head.

Gorilla Heads

The grey clouds started to dislodge rain upon us as made our way up.

Gorilla Heads

Ferlino bringing up the webbing on his way up.

Gorilla Heads

Matt climbing his way down the backside.

WST

Climbing our way up to the interrupted fence line.

Gorilla Heads

Looking back at the rain showers sweeping the Waianae Mountains.

WST

Matt muscled his way up the slick section of rocks and threw webbing down for the rest of us.

WST

Slippery when mossy.

WST

Contouring our way through the overgrowth as we avoided …

WST

… the old vertical fence trail. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

WST

Climbing up the near vertical fence as it cut a swatch through the tangled mess of uluhe ferns.

Pu’u Kaua

Time and weather were not on our side, so we made the difficult decision to descend from the 3,127′ summit.

Trail

Leaving the third highest peak on the island.

Trail

Clouds clearing over agricultural lands that are slowly being developed into farm lots, off-grid and often unregulated housing.

Trail

I should have brought my cardboard box, or at the very least my spikes. Photo by Anne Fai

Trail

Chris riding the timber log ride at Kunia’s Berry Farms.

Kunia

Dimming the lights as we walked down the road past the slowly growing trailer village filled with a chorus of barking dogs.

All pau

Our 26 mile three-day hike that was filled with laughs, great views and good company; came to an abbreviated end in the farmlands of Kunia. Thanks to Lee for picking us up and bringing chilled Coca-Cola. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. You can’t go wrong with oxtail soup, unless it’s too expensive and then you fall back to the Zip Mein.

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 Veteran’s Day Weekend camping and hiking in the Waianae Mountains. Big shout out to Alexis for driving Stuart and myself to the end of the island to start our hike.

Kaena Point

Trying to tie my shoe laces in the wee hours of the morning with makapiapia still in my eyes. Thanks to Alexis for taking my trash back with her. Pack in, pack out. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kaena Point

We followed the railroad track remnants along the coastline to the base of the ridge.

Kaena Point

Passing the second WW2 bunker on our way up the darkened ridge.

Kaena Point

Somebody left the lights on. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station

This place has been around since statehood. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kuaokala Trail

We crossed paths with gun toting hunters and their pig sniffing dogs on the trail.

Kaena Point

Back on the road again. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kuaokala Trail

We had a quick breakfast at the picnic shelter before setting foot back on the trail.

Kuaokala Trail

Sunlight breaking over the trail. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Kuaokala Trail

Following the signed junction as we made our way up the slight, rocky incline.

Kuaokala Trail

Drinking in our early morning views. Better than a cup of coffee to get you jump started.

Kuaokala Trail

Stuart standing on picture rock.

Kuaokala Trail

Following the fence line down.

Kuaokala Trail

Stuart passing through the sun beams on the trail.

Kuaokala Trail

Veering off the beaten trail to gain higher ground.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Contact with the ubiquitous fence line that increasingly dominates both mountain ranges.

WST

Taking temporary leave of the fence line as we followed a thick half buried communications cable.

Moku

Passing the geodic marker as we turned right on the trail.

Pahole Reserve

Entering the protected habitat of rare endemic fauna and flora.

WST

Treading carefully with exaggerated facial expressions.

WST

Soaking in the raw character of the Waianae Mountains.

Slippah Tree

The Waianae Mountain’s answer to the KST Boot Junction.

WST

Stuart following the fence line down amidst the backdrop of fluted ridges cascading down into Makua Valley.

WST

Passing the Mokuleia trail junction.

WST

Panoramic view from the Mokuleia lookout. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Rat Country

Stuart doing his part to keep the rodent population in check. Pesticide free.

WST

Pulling ourselves up the steep incline one fence hold at a time.

WST

The overcast cloud conditions kept the notorious Waianae heat dialed down.

WST

Dropping down to the lowland forest with an abundance of sprawling spider webs.

WST

Looking ahead to Three Corners. Almost there. Just a couple more ups and downs.

WST

Looking into the bomb blistered valley. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Have machete in hand, will bushwhack.

WST

Looking out towards the Mokuleia coastline and the windmills pinwheeling in the distance.

WST

Stuart pushing up the last hill towards the summit of three valleys.

Three Corners

Valley views of Makua, Makaha and Mokuleia were actually in evidence today.

WST

Short and suffocating trek on the ridge that connects to Ka’ala.

WST

Stuart dropping off the uluhell infested ridge and onto the road.

Ka’ala Road

Somebody was talking about a 20 minute walk up to the top. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Ka’ala Road

Hairy balls road.

Ka’ala Road

Approaching the defunct radar station that is now home to an active cellular communications tower.

Ka’ala Road

End of the cloud soaked road.

Mount Ka’ala

We made it to the shelter at 1430, just before the raindrops started to fall. Perfect timing.

Mount Ka’ala

Stuart strung up his tarp to keep most of the wind blown rain from our sleeping accommodations. Sleeping on concrete buffered by an air mattress never felt so good.

Mount Ka’ala

Rain tucked us to sleep and woke us up. It was going to be a wonderful day. Reverse psychology doesn’t seem to work in the mountains.

Mount Ka’ala

Stuart on the boardwalk.

Mount Ka’ala

Looking for the ridge in the cloud and rain soaked bog. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Making my way down the slippery boulder section. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Stuart preparing to take his “leap of faith” between the moss slicked boulders.

WST

Looking back at the rocky edifice made even more surreal by the grey rain clouds.

WST

Isometric exercises in the mountains. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

When nature gives you water, just open your mouth and drink up.

WST

Stuart being swallowed up by the unchecked overgrowth on the trail. Where is that machete? Shortly after this section, I was torn between a difficult decision on whether to render immediate aid or take a picture of what was actually transpiring. I picked the first option, which was to remove a branch of thimbleberry thorns that had somehow gotten lodged in Stuart’s eyelid! Believe it or not.

WST

Pushing our way up the rain soaked ridge. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Stuart crossing over the notched ridge.

WST

Dropping off the ridge and contouring to regain the ridge. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

Pu’u Kalena

Missing the views at the 3,504′ summit, but not the rain. Rain, rain, go away. Nursery rhymes don’t seem to work up here. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

When you’re looking for your bite valve and it’s sitting on your shoulder strap. Luckily glasses weren’t involved as well.

WST

The ridge widened at some sections with pockets of pine trees.

WST

Wind milling my way up the ridge in a futile effort to keep warm. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Looking out at sexxxy ridge to our right as it dropped off into the murky clouds.

WST

Walking in the clouds on the narrow rock dike. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Descending down from Pu’u Ku Makali’i on the rain slicked rock dike as we heard intermittent booming guns from the ranges below us.

WST

Entering the forested section which helped to keep some of the rain at bay.

WST

Watching the clouds drift over bunker pocked Lualualei Valley and the forbidden miniature mountain.

WST

Spotted a me not so horny invasive critter that has made themselves home in the mountains. Photo by Stuart Krempin.

WST

Stuart dropping down to the lowest point in the Waianae Mountain Range.

WST

We followed a set of overgrown steps into the valley floor that was littered with bright yellow colored bags, and decided not to let curiosity get the better of us.

WST

Let’s not dawdle through these parts.

Kolekole Pass Road

Hiking in the rain the entire day and with no let up in sight and another rainy day forecasted for the next day, we decided to throw in the towel for safety and comfort reasons and made our way down the road, passing the now silent ranges.

Kolekole Pass Road

You never know what one will find in these abandoned WW2 bunkers.

Kolekole Pass Road

This is my rifle, this is for fighting…

All pau

… this is my gun, this is for fun. Thanks to Mitsy for picking us up on base.

GPS Tracks

Our abbreviated two day camping hike covered 21.83 miles through the wild flavor of the Waianae Mountains. It was still an amazing adventure with a good buddy. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse. Thanks to Mitsy for putting up with our carnivorous appetites.

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.

Promising weather turned into perfect conditions for our hike this weekend. Dale, Gen, Jose, Rob, Ryan, Tom and myself met up on the West side. Thanks to Ryan’s sister and Dale for shuttling us to the trailhead. Chris B would join us after work.

Trailhead

We picked up the trail through the dry shrubs and grass off Farrington Highway to make our way up towards Upper Makua Cave.

Trail

A group of hikers resting on their way to the cave. No rest for the weary.

Trail

We branched off to the left to gain the spur ridge.

Makua Valley

Looking into Hawaii’s own death valley. Literally. Roaming cattle and military bombs slowly leached the life out of this once thriving Hawaiian community. You wouldn’t know it by looking at it from afar, as it’s off limits to the public, but the lush landscaped valley still hides unexploded ordnances from decades of military training. Click here for the larger image.

Trail

We soon got to the fence and started making our way up the spur ridge.

Trail

Dale waiting for his turn to climb up.

Trail

Making our way up to gain Ohikilolo ridge.

Trail

Rob holding down the fence for Tom to cross over. A hiker and a gentleman.

Looking back

Enjoying the view towards Kaena Point. Photo by Tom Engle.

Trail

The sun breaking over the mountains. It was going to be a hot day.

Looking back

Enjoying the shade while it lasted.

Trail

Walking on the narrow rock dike broke the monotony of the fence line.

Dead Goat Ridge

We started to run across many a goat that found out the hard way that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

Trail

Switched to the left side of the fence.

Trail

Not for long. Switched back to the right side of the fence.

Looking back

Ryan scrambling up the ridge with a sun bleached souvenir on his back.

Fence bed

Mountain accommodations for two.

Trail

Rob and Tom contouring around the fence line with Makaha Valley in the background.

Helipad

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a helicopter.

Looking back

Click here for the panoramic view.

Trail

Hiking on the eroded section of the ridge.

Looking back

Ryan, Dale and Gen making their way up.

Trail

We could see the forest for the trees. Koa trees.

Trail

Entering the introduced and native forest. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Ohikilolo

The triangular peak of Ohikilolo which roughly means scooped out brains.

Ohikilolo cabin

We had the cabin all to ourselves. Pays to have reservations.

Cabin life

I can see why a lot of people have taken a shine to this cabin. Wrap around lanai with mountain views. Bunks that can sleep up to 12 people. Rain catchment system provides drinking water and showers. Unfortunately, Dale could only enjoy the cabin with us for a few short hours before hiking back down. Photos by Dale Yoshizu.

Biodegradable

Deep thoughts. Outhouse with a view.

Mountain life

Group photo left to right: Tom, Rob, Jose, Gen, myself and Ryan.

Where there’s smoke there’s fire

When you do bad things in the mountains, you get held hostage at finger point. Rob was later released on his own recognizance. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Sunset

No green flash spotted.

Cooking by head lamps

Chris pushed up the ridge and arrived under cover of darkness to deliver our frozen steaks. Chefs Engle and Balladares prepping our food. Heavy on the oil and garlic please.

What’s for dinner?

The pit boss, Gen, presided over the grill to cook our steak, baby potatoes, corn on the cob, and garlic bread. We ate pretty well that night.

Night sky

The skies were clear. The winds were noticeably absent. Stunning mountain views. Grilled food. Great company. Glamping. Not quite. But pretty close.

Cheers

Cinammon fireball whisky to keep our tummies warm.

Lights out

No rodents paid us a visit as we bunked down for the night. Photo by Ryan Leano

Moon rise

Somebody got up in the middle of the night to catch the moon rising over Mount Ka’ala. Photo by Tom Engle

Good morning

Chilly Sunday morning. Ryan dragged the grill back into the cabin and applied liberal amounts of lighter fluid to kick start the heater.

Makua valley

Looking into the back of the valley.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Trail

We cleaned up after ourselves and checked out of the cabin to resume our second day of hiking.

Trail

Approaching the summit of Ohikilolo.

Pu’u Ohikilolo

Group photo at the 3,052′ sun-in-your-face summit.

Pu’u Ohikilolo

The crew scrambling down the crumbly backside.

Trail

A rocky rollercoaster ridge hike was ahead of us.

Looking back

Leaving the summit of Ohikilolo behind us.

Ohikilolo cabin

Looking back at the cabin. It was a sweet cabin. Photo by Tom Engle.

Trail

Hikers imitating goats on the ridge. Just don’t get your head stuck.

Looking back

Chris and Tom on the skinny ridge with the slowly receding view of Ohikilolo behind them.

Trail

All fences lead to Mount Ka’ala. Well, at least this one does.

Looking back

Chris coming down mini-Ohikilolo.

Makaha Valley

Back in 1855, this valley was sold for the princely sum of $5,000. In todays dollars that would roughly come out to $140,000. Trinkets and beads?

Trail

The fenced ridge line serpentined towards three corners.

Mountain yoga

Gen kicking it in the mountains.

Trail

Jose making his way down to a narrow section of the ridge.

Trail

Rob making his way down the steep rocky ridge.

Trail

Jose kicking it in the mountains.

Trail

Gen making her way down a steep climb. I guess the fence does come in handy. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Trail

The rest of the crew making their way down.

Trail

Ryan climbing up a short and steep rock.

Trail

Fence for miles. Or at least as far as the eye can see.

Trail

Ryan and Tom climbing their way down to the small rock obstacle.

Trail

Gen and Rob climbing up the last steep rock climb. Pretty vertical fence climb.

Trail

Chris and Jose enjoying the views from the ridge line.

Ohikilolo puka

Another hole in the Waianae mountains.

Trail

I don’t know about the rest of the crew, but my left arm was getting tired from hanging onto the fence as we made our way along the ridge.

Trail

In the thick of things. Things being shrubs and trees.

Trail

The final push to the summit. Almost there. Really.

Ohikilolo ridge

Looking back at the convoluted fence lined ridge that we had just traversed.

Three Corners

Afternoon siesta. Forget the group photo.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Trail

Back in the jungle. The uluhell jungle.

Off trail

Is this the way? So many ribbons. So many choices.

Trail meets road

Chris and Ryan sliding down the uluhe covered cliff.

Mount Ka’ala Road

Roughly two miles. Uphill. Head down.

Uber

Where’s the driver?

Looking back

Even those of us with less than 20/5 vision could make out Ohikilolo cabin in the distance.

Double tuck

Somebody was smiling. Must like their pants pulled up high.

Mount Ka’ala Road

Tom walking up to the cell communications towers.

Weeping wall

Multiple choice: Are Ryan, Jose and Tom a) heeding the call of nature in a communal setting b) filling their bottles with the spring water flowing down from the top or c) being forced to face the wall for walking on Mount Ka’ala Road.

Mount Ka’ala Road

Arriving at the socked in summit. We met a bunch of hikers and asked for directions to Diamond Head. They weren’t buying it.

Ka’ala Nature Area Reserve

No views. Everybody was in a rush to get down to the valley floor. No breaks. Just straight down. Other hikers yielded to our stampede.

Trail meets road

One mile of paved goodness left to finish off the hike. Let it end.

All pau

Group photo with the legendary rainbow man himself, Laredo. Photo by Krista Robertson.

GPS Tracks

Our two day cabin hike covered 10.91 miles over rocky roller coasting ridges and stellar scenery with good friends. It was so much fun. Thanks to Chris’s friend, Emerito, for picking us up in Waianae Valley. Post hike meal at Outback. Hiking staple.

Good weather beckoned us back to the mountains. The Waianae Mountains. We picked up where we left off from last time. Photo by Steve Lin.

Kealia Trail

Jame’s wife was nice enough to drop our group off at the Kealia trailhead. A dog even greeted us as we got ready and then bounded off to her master that was ahead of us. We would see her again. Soon.

How many switchbacks?

Thessa and Marvin cutting across one of 19 switchbacks that makes up the trail.

Hot? Thirsty?

Look who we ran into again. The same dog that greeted us at the beginning. She must have got separated from her master and was panting like a dog. Steve gave her some of his water to cool down. Where was her master?

Mokuleia

The higher we got, the better the views.

No more switchbacks

Thessa making her way to the picnic table at the top. What, no food?

Wide open

After a short break at the top, we continued on the trail towards Ka’ala.

H20

Not all tagging is an eyesore. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Duck!

Passing the bullet riddled sign announcing the Kuaokala hunting area. Seems all hunting signs are marked in this fashion.

Kuaokala Trail

The trail soon turned left.

Are we hiking?

The wide open and relatively flat trails made it less of a hike and more of a stroll.

Follow the signs

We continued towards Mokuleia trail. Still no sign of the dog’s master. Perhaps he went to the AF tracking station?

Right is right?

The trail soon forked. We took the high road. Which led us to this…

Scenic point

A somewhat obstructed but still fantastic view of Makua Valley. Training grounds for the U.S. Army.

Back on the road

We dropped back onto the dirt road.

Makua Valley

The trail contoured around the rim of Makua Valley, opening up the views.

Mokuleia

Looking out towards the North Shore.

Going up

The trail started to drop, so we took this other trail leading back up top.

The fence

Seeing a familiar sight on the Waianae Summit Trail, the fence line.

Moku

All feet on the marker. We turned right at the marker to continue our hike. Going left was a bailout trail.

No dogs

The maze of fences that crosses the Waianae Mountains are the result of the Oahu Army Natural Resources Program. They want to give back by helping save endangered fauna and flora for taking away large chunks of land for their training.

That way

Thanks to Steve for pointing us in the right direction.

Pahole

Entering the 685 acre natural area reserve that protects endemic fauna and flora.

Say what?

Explosives in a nature preserve? To take out the invasive species?

Fence crossing

We never did spot any of the endangered fauna and flora. But we weren’t looking that hard either.

Scenic point

This was a breathtaking spot to soak in the valley views. Click here for the larger image. Photo by Marvin Chandra

Back to the fence

After leaving our scenic spot, the fence line splits. We took the right fence line to continue to Ka’ala.

End of Mokuleia Trail

Group photo back to front: James, Steve, Marvin, Thessa and myself.

Down the fence

James following the fence line down.

Just follow the fence

Thessa following the fence line up. Then back down.

Mokuleia

We arrived at Three Corners; roughly 2,600′ in elevation, affording some of the best views on the island.

Makua Valley

Looking into the lush green Makua Valley, it’s hard to believe it was once blackened and scarred by military live fire training.

Makaha Valley

If you listen hard enough, you can hear the crying peacocks in Makaha Valley.

Straddling the fence

Some were more graceful than others when crossing over the fence to continue the hike.

Mount Ka’ala

Thessa making her way down the ridge which soon terminates, forcing us to drop on the road to the left. Now how do we get down?

The hard way down

Someone, who will go unnamed, said this was the way down. I wouldn’t recommend it as it was quite steep and crumbly coming down. Steve and James soon followed me down, dislodging small rocks onto the road.

The easy way down

The trail to come down was actually further up the ridge, marked by a patch of uluhe ferns. The original plan was to continue the road to Ka’ala and go down the Waianae-Kai trail. Plans change. We decided to just continue down Ka’ala road.

Mirror selfie

Staple of road hiking. The mirror selfie. Photo by Marvin Chandra

The long road down

Five miles of paved road. At least it was going down.

Mama pig?

I saw this little pig pop out of the trees and warily looked for a protective mama, luckily the pig went back into the tree line.

Don’t have to worry about this guy

Cows are safe with Marvin.

Cattle proof?

There were a couple of these crossings that had wide spaced bars to prevent cattle from moving up the mountain.

Can see the ocean

A couple of miles into the road, and the views of the mountains were replaced by the ocean. Getting closer.

Chicken adobo?

Just looking for a hand out.

Belly rub

A friendly dog greeted us. All she wanted was belly rubs. Photo by James Crabb.

Paved road ends

Steve about to make the transition from the paved road to the rocky dirt road. Less hard on the feet.

Go home

The friendly dog wanted to follow us home, until James scolded her and she turned around.

Until next time Mount Ka’ala

Mount Ka’ala beckoned for us to come back. Another day.

GPS Tracks

The 13.6 mile hike started off with a dirt road and ended with a paved road. That probably made it quite easy despite the distance. Many thanks to Jame’s sister for picking us up on the side of the highway. We all had some good pizza at Jerry’s Pizza in Waialua for dinner. Beverage tip: If you need real Coke, you have to go to the store and get it.