Forecasted thunderstorms on Oahu chased Ferlino and myself to the Garden Isle for a weekend of hiking. We stocked up on supplies on our arrival and drove to the reddish waters to begin our hike.

Trailhead

Life imitating art.

Nualolo Trail

Making our way down the short and muddy descent into the forested reserve.

Nualolo Trail

No signs of any hoofed mammals, perhaps the fence was designed to keep hominid hikers out?

Nualolo Trail

Following one of many fallen trunks on the trail.

2 mile marker

Keeping track of our mileage for the Hawaiian miles program. It doesn’t work that way? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Nualolo Trail

Breaking free of the tree line, where glimpses of the deeply carved valley views sprung into sight.

Nualolo Cliffs Trail

Skipped the Lolo Vista and went straight down the refurbished and redirected connector trail.

Picnic shelter

Time for a spam musubi breakfast break.

Nualolo Cliffs Trail

We followed the trail through the shoulder high grass which eventually opened up to stunning views of the valley below us.

Nualolo Cliffs Trail

Hiking on the red dirt trail that slopes down towards the plunging cliffs.

Nualolo Cliffs Trail

Making our way through the chopped and fallen trees strewn in the valley.

Nualolo Cliffs Trail

Enjoying the open air break.

Nualolo Cliffs Trail

A hop, skip and jump and Ferlino was over the fallen tree.

Waterfall

The pause that refreshes.

Awaawapuhi Trail

We came to a junction and didn’t know which way to turn. Left or right? When in doubt, go right. Not in this case. Luckily some barefooted hikers set us straight.

Junction

Going back down the trail.

Awaawapuhi Trail

Left or right. Let’s go with left this time, shall we?

Vistas

We passed the fenced summit lookout and made our way down the eroded ridge.

Vistas

Going down the ridge as it narrowed and became less crowded.

Vistas

Nobody down here but the helicopters and birds! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Vistas

Group photo on Awa’awamalu Ridge.

Kikik

I thought they were nocturnal?

Vistas

One last group photo at the scenic vista before heading back up the trail.

Awaawapuhi Trail

Hikers yielding to the State bird on the trail.

Awaawapuhi Trail

Learning about native plants on the way back up.

Awaawapuhi Trail

.8 kilometers for our European friends.

Trailhead

The end of the loop trail. Now all we had left was to walk down the road back to our car.

All pau

Mahalo to the transplant and tourist that gave us a ride back down Highway 550.

GPS Tracks

Our loop trail through stunning vistas and valleys covered 10.5 miles. We checked into our hotel, Tip Top Motel, that was described as quirky and old school. Translation: basic accommodations with no frills. Post hike meal at Kenji Burger, where they recognized me but failed to give me a discount. Repeat customer in doubt.

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 all met up at the Tip Top Restaurant for breakfast and to plan our second hike on the Garden Isle. Rito passed around his Black Widow hot sauce as the food was being dished out. I was foolish enough to pour a dollop on my omelet and my bowels would soon thank me.

Air Dry

What do you do when your shoes are still wet from yesterday’s hike? You throw them on the windshield and let the 55 mph air dry them out. Local style. We stocked up at Ishihara Market in Waimea and then went to go sightseeing. But first I had to relieve myself of the hot sauce from the morning meal. No public bathroom. Bathroom broken. Beach bathroom.

Tickle Me Kikaida

I don’t chortle nor vibrate when tickled. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waimea Canyon

Gazing at the grandeur that is the known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Waimea Canyon

Some of us went for a closer look. Photo by Scott Bowling.

Waipo’o Falls

We drove a short distance down the canyon road to get a better view of the two-tiered 800′ waterfall. There is actually a canyon trail that will take you to the top of the waterfalls. Another hike for another day.

Nu’alolo Trailhead

Group photo left to right: Theresa, George, Wendy, Marcus, Matt, myself, Rito, Will, Amanda, Brian, Scott and Madelene.

Trail

What goes up …

Trail

… must come down.

Trail

What would a hike be without a fence line? Unnatural.

Trail

We ran across some hunters who lost their dog, Samson, on the trail.

Trail

The group leaving the wide open grassy area.

Trail

Look who we found. Or found us. Samson!

Trail

Somebody is going the wrong way.

Trail

A rather striking mushroom specimen. Or so we thought. Photo by Will Braitsch.

Trail

Making our way down the steep and heavily rooted trail.

Trail

We can see the Pacific Ocean!

Junction

One could make a loop trail by hiking the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail and Awa’awapuhi Trail. But that one was not us today. Next time.

Trail

The view of the towering volcanic cliffs below us slowly unfolded as we continued further along the trail.

Trail

The group crossing the saddle section of the trail.

Trail

Approaching the vista summit.

Lolo Vista

Summit photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Summit

Looking out towards Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast.

Summit

Panoramic view by Will Braitsch.

Trail

Brian tackling the Nu’alolo Ridge.

Nu’alolo Aina Valley

Where did everybody else go? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Matt and Rito decided to venture further along the trail, while the rest of the group sought scant shelter from the gusting winds that brought cold, dirt and misery.

Nu’alolo Kai

Looking down into the oldest Hawaiian fishing village surrounded by sheer cliffs and reef protected. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

Budding pine cones.

Trail

Somebody was dithering and dickering about where to take the group photo and then the cold snap, “Take the f*cking picture a**hole!”

Trail

The winds were whipping fine red dirt into all our crevices. The wind chill was dropping the air temperature. Rain sprinkles started to keep us company at the top. I guess it’s time to head back. Plus we didn’t want another cold snap.

Trail

One of many pine cones strewn across the trail.

Trail

Looking back at the wind whipped summit.

Trail

Making our way back through the grassy area.

Trail

Almost there.

Trail

Madelene heading back down to our jeeps.

Trail

I don’t smell like Ahi Jerky. Photo by Will Braitsch.

Koke’e Lodge

Breakdown in communication. Half of our group went to warm ourselves over the dwindling fireplace at the restaurant and warm our tummies with portugese bean soup. The other half went to the open fire pits by the shelters to keep warm against the cold, biting winds. Once the group was reunited, some of us ( read those that still had their shoes on ) went to the tree line to gather additional fire wood to keep the smoky fire fed.

I’m the caveman …

… I’ve never heard of you.

Koke’e Lodge

How hikers open beer bottles on the trail.

Dr. Seuss Falls

Last waterfall of the day, as Matt and I had to cut the trip short and return back to the gathering place. We had to wash the mud splattered jeep to avoid a surprise fee before turning it in. Broken car wash. No car wash. Don’t accept credit cards at the card reader. Deja vu from this morning, albeit of a vehicular kind. Fun weekend spent with great company. Photo by Amanda Knauf.

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.