Met up with Jen, Quan and Tessa on the oldest inhabited island in the main Hawaiian chain to hike and explore the Garden Isle over President Day’s weekend. Forecasted weather predicted the entire weekend would be raining cats and dogs. As luck would have it, we like feline and canine companions.

Trailhead

The trailhead was not marked like the other trails as it seems the State no longer maintains the trail due to hurricane damage a few decades earlier. A few decades earlier. Let that sink in. Scattered ribbons on the trees were no help, so we had to drive back down the road to get cell reception to download the trail map to find out where to go.

Honopu Ridge Trail

We followed the trail until we came across the fence line meant to keep out the invasive species from the endemic species.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Pushing our way through a thick stretch of uluhe ferns which also doubled as organic wipes since somebody didn’t want to share their invasive wipes.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Making our way down amongst fallen trees and slippery descents.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Multi-colored ribbons kept us on trail, along with following the fence line.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Somebody came running back on the trail after a couple pigs startled her on the trail. Luckily, we were scarier than the pua’a and we continued on our merry way.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Making our way down the steeply rutted trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Walking through the wooded section of the trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Catching our first views of the craggy cliffs that dominate and rise above the coastline.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking back at a huge waterfall cascading off Kalepa Ridge.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Bird’s eye view of Honopu Valley, Arch and Beach.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking out towards the stretch of Na Pali coastline that extends all the way to Kalalau and Ke’e Beaches.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Rain drops keep falling on our heads. Intermittent. The song of the same name is about remaining positive in spite of negative things that one can be facing, such as predicted rainstorms that would have cancelled a trip and hike for others. The song debuted in the 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid and went on to become #1 on the Billboard Charts.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking over into ‘Awa’awapuhi Valley with hanging clouds drifting over.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Why do you guys always leave me? You look like Nana! I guess that’s a good enough reason as any.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The cathedral cliffs were formed millions of years ago when massive streams of water from the mountains carved out the valleys and constant crashing surf formed the character of the beaches and sea caves.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Watching ‘Awa’awapuhi Stream flow down from the mountains and out to the ocean.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Heading to the brush and tree line where we backtracked when we realized we went too far.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Group photo at the “end” of the trail for us.

Honopu Ridge Trail

How many people can fit on this little pile of rocks? Let’s find out.

Honopu Ridge Trail

360 view on top of the spit of rock.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The window of viewing opportunity was closing fast.

Honopu Ridge Trail

In the blink of an eye. Maybe a couple blinks.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The group making their way back down the exposed and eroded trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal experience.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The stiff winds soon scattered the clouds away.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Taking in the waterfall view on our way back out.

Honopu Ridge Trail

No pig sightings on our way back.

All pau

We came back to our car with time to kill before dinner reservations and went back to Scott’s studio to clean up, some more than others. Post hike meal at Kintaro, where the wait was almost as long as the meal. Good food to finish off our fun hike.

GPS Tracks

Our in and out hike covered roughly five miles with scattered showers and spectacular views of Honopu Valley and the Na Pali Coastline.

Photos taken by Jen Odence, Quan Haberstroh, 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.