It was time to spend another anniversary on this particular mountain. Aida dropped off Katie and Lilyn at the trailhead, who had her knife at the ready in case any trouble appeared. Thanks to Janell for driving Aida, Quan, Tessa and myself to the trail head.

Our Lady of Kea’au

Luckily the gate was open early in the morning, so we didn’t have to separate the group.

The Shack

How many people can you fit in a cacti covered shack? Apparently just one.

Ohikilolo Valley

Going up the jeep road with our 2×2 legs.

Ohikilolo Valley

Plunging into the forest and following the fence line for the most part, where we attracted the unwanted sticky burrs to our clothes.

Tree Stand

The only game seen today were two legged hikers.

Ohikilolo Valley

Climbing over the fence to connect to the spur ridge that would lead us out of the valley floor.

Ohikilolo Valley

Leaving the relatively flat ground for steeper and rockier pastures. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ohikilolo Valley

Are we having fun yet? Perhaps, I should ask that question later. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ohikilolo Valley

Climbing up the ridge. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Valley

Lilyn and Tessa cresting over one of the humps on the ridge. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Ohikilolo Valley

Strike a pose. Yoga pose. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Ohikilolo Valley

The girls checking out each other’s gluteus maximus muscles.

Ohikilolo Valley

I think I need to work on mines. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ohikilolo Valley

Janell scrambling her way up the dry grassy ridge. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Valley

Enjoying their personal space this time around. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Ohikilolo Valley

The group climbing up one of the exposed dikes on the ridge. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Valley

Katie climbing her way up.

Ohikilolo Valley

To climb or not to climb? Rhetorical question. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Valley

Contouring and climbing our way up.

Ohikilolo Valley

The group climbing their way up the ridge that was populated with exposed rocks. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Valley

Bird’s eye view. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Valley

Tessa didn’t want to wait in the climbing queue and went up her own way. The hard way.

Ohikilolo Valley

Quan still having fun. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Katie gaining the fenced ridge line. No stuck goats to be seen or heard.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Aida looking ahead to the fenced ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Tessa climbing the fence for a better view or a better shot? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The sun came out to play that was accompanied by brisk winds. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Fence Hammock

Surprisingly comfortable. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Lilyn leaning over into Makua Valley. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Approaching the helipad. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Helipad

Group photo left to right: Tessa, Janell, Quan, Lilyn, Katie, myself and Aida.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Traversing the exposed and eroded ridge line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Not everybody wanted to use the webbing. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Our arms were getting quite the workout today.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Approaching the forested area that was interrupted by a washed out and weathered section of the ridge before the cabin. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Cabin

Katie stumping for views.

Ohikilolo Cabin

Snack break. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Cabin

You can knock, but you can’t come in.

Ohikilolo Outhouse

Call the Governor, the TP shortage is over. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Outhouse

When you got to go, you got to go.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Tessa on the edge looking towards the distinctive triangle peak of Ohikilolo. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Leaving the cabin and outhouse behind us. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ohikilolo Summit

Climbing to the top of the pyramid peak. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Summit

Group photo at the 3,052′ top with sweeping views of the Waianae Mountains, Ridges and Valleys. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ohikilolo Summit

Scooting our way down the backside of the peak. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ohikilolo Summit

The rest of the girls headed back down to the valley floor, where they enjoyed some extra time exploring the forest and covered with more sticky burrs.

Ohikilolo Summit

Most of us came down with our backpacks while somebody just rolled hers down the hill, including her hair pin.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Fences for daze. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hello from the other side. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Following the fence line. The theme for the day.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Straddling a very crumbly dragon. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Martians

I don’t think potatoes can be planted here. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

We could still see the cabin in the distance. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The girls getting some air time.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Trying my best not to get a groin injury. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Lilyn stepping on the dragon. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Climbing my way down. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The colorful girls descending the steep stretch of the ridge equidistantly.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Scenic views all around. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Katie contouring her way down the ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

When the fence becomes a ladder. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hanging onto the fence line as we followed the ridge line that gained and dropped elevation on the way.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Making our way down to the section where a giant boulder interrupts the fence line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Katie sliding her way around the protruding boulder.

Ropes and Ladder

Climbing up the last steep section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Lilyn overlooking the valley views. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The woodland rodent meant that we were within sweating distance of the summit, which was heavily overgrown on the way up.

Three Corners

When your tendons are simply exhausted from grabbing the fence all day.

Three Corners

1, 2, 3. Makaha, Makua, and Mokuleia. All corners accounted for.

Three Corners

Hot lunch in the making. Complete with Vienna sausage. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Leaving the clear summit as we followed the fence down.

WST

Taking in the somewhat obstructed view of Makua Valley.

Mokuleia Overlook

Our last group photo of the day before we came down from the mountains.

Tangelo Tree

The citrus tree was loaded with ripe fruits that were just begging to be picked. Tasty and refreshing trail snacks. The nearby avocado trees were flowering but not fruiting yet.

Mokuleia Trail

Leaving the short and sweet trail.

Peacock Flats

Feminine charm and positive thinking failed to secure us a ride down the road.

Mokuleia Access Road

My last climb of the day. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Mokuleia Access Road

Pounding the pavement on our way down.

Mokuleia Access Road

The end of the road and a long day for us.

All pau

We used our phone lights to flag Quan down, who was nice enough to pick us up and drive us back to our cars. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

GPS Tracks

Our 11.1 mile coast to coast hike covered stunning and sweeping scenic views that were filled with fun times and good friends. Post hike meal at Restaurant Kunio where I just missed the last ribeye steak served for the night. Such is my luck.

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.

Decided to take a break from the last stormy hike and visit the nice and dry West side. Mahalo to Jasmin for dropping Chris, Ferlino, Jasmin, Lopaka, Matt and myself off at the trailhead where Janell was already waiting for us. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed

Getting friendly with the locals. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Trail

Walking the road to the uplands. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trail

Leaving the sea behind us.

Hunter’s Stand

Chris and Matt enjoying the elevated vantage point. See any goats? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Hunter’s Stand

Ferlino planking on the tree. Who needs the stand?

Spur Ridge

Heading up the dry grassy rocky ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Spur Ridge

Leaving the shaded valley as we made our way up the sun bleached ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ohikilolo Valley

Coming up the ridge, we were surrounded by goat bleatings bouncing off the valley.

Spur Ridge

Lopaka playing King of the Hill. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Spur Ridge

Our final push to the top of the ridge. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

PETA

Chris’s bathroom break startled a goat who ran head first into the fence and promptly got stuck much to his dismay. His buddies scampered off when they saw us approaching, thinking it was nice knowing you. Chris and Lopaka freed the goat who immediately took off down the ridge.

Spur Ridge

Ferlino decided to keep Jasmin company on the journey to the cabin, so we split into two groups. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Morning Mushroom

Recreational fungus for recreational hiking?

Makua Valley

Looking back into the valley where landscapers fear to tread.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Tube man on the ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Chris and Lopaka detouring around a wrecked fence section due to a rock slide. It was around this section that a bunch of bees were pollinating flowers on the other side of the fence, when some of them decided to bombard me with their suicidal stinging. My flailing around was unfortunately not caught on camera.

Helipad

Cleared to land.

Helipad

Pick me up too!

Ohikilolo Ridge

The ridge started to turn from red brown to dark green, a sign that we were getting near the summit.

Balloon Flowers

I remember these from small kid time, at least that’s what we used to call them.

PETA

Not another one? This one actually pissed itself before being freed by Lopaka.

Ohikilolo

Lopaka test tenting my camping shelter. Sold!

Ohikilolo

Group photo above the cabin left to right: Chris, Janell, Lopaka, myself and Matt.

Ohikilolo

One was closed and the other open for business.

Ohikilolo

Janell decided to wait at the cabin for Ferlino and Jasmin.

Ohikilolo Summit

I guess somebody changed their mind. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ohikilolo Summit

Panoramic view of Makaha, Ohikilolo and Makua Valleys from the top.

Ohikilolo Summit

We took our leave of the 3,052′ summit and Janell. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ohikilolo Summit

Matt and Lopaka coming down the crumbly backside.

Ohikilolo Summit

Name tagging on the ridge. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Ohikilolo Valley

Looking into the depression that separates Makua and Makaha Valleys. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Leaving the peak with our brains intact. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Geology 101

How big rocks are made into little rocks. Photos by Matt Vidaurri.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Peering over the crumbly wall of Ohikilolo. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Riding the rock dragon with the sweeping vista of Ka’ala in the background.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Lopaka climbing the fence or the ridge down?

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hindrance … Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ohikilolo Ridge

… or help? Jury is still out in my book. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Standing on a sliver of a ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ohikilolo

Meanwhile, Ferlino and Jasmin caught up to Janell at the hill above the cabin.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Contouring around the boulder. Photo by Lopaka Hipperson.

Ohikilolo Ridge

What does that look like? Two ears? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Can you see the ape for the rocks?

Ohikilolo Ridge

Climbing up the steepest rock section. Photo by Lopaka Hipperson.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking back. Fences for daze.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Heading to greener ridges. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Rodent country.

Three Corners

Matt climbing over the fence to the spot that provides triple valley views.

Spur Ridge

Meanwhile, Janell and Jasmin were making their way down the ridge into the valley. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

H20

Filling up our water bottles for the last leg home.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

The fence turned from a necessary handhold to more of a navigational and invasive barrier on this trail section.

WST

Lopaka making his way around the many assorted boulders that littered the fenced side of the ridge.

Mokuleia Lookout

I guess somebody wanted their own selfie.

Mokuleia Trail

Getting off the WST.

Whole Foods

Oranges. Tangerines. Tangelos. Whatever it was, this tree was brimming with the coldest, juiciest and sweetest citrus fruits I’ve tasted in awhile. Hiking all day may have had something to do with my taste buds interpretation.

Mokuleia Trail

Our packs, some more than others, weighed down with our fruit bounty as we made our way down the trail.

Pahole Natural Area Reserve

Leaving the sprawling 658 acres that are home to endemic fauna and flora.

Peacock Flats

Nobody around to give us a ride down.

Farrington Hwy

The long walk down the 3.5 mile road.

All pau

Banana, Coconut and Papaya trees lined the road as we exited to Chris’s staged van. Free range chickens also roamed the road. We had all the fixings of a hearty meal.

GPS Tracks

Our coast to coast hike covered a little over 11 miles complete with undomesticated ungulates, organic fruits and the company of good friends. Post hike meal at Restaurant Kunio. The wait was too long, but too tired to go elsewhere.

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.

Bills were due and rules were made to be broken, and that’s how we ended up with today’s hike. Right muthafucka?

Trailhead

Thanks to Dale for dropping Frank, Shirley and myself off in the middle of nowhere. Winter is for the Waianaes. It’s also the time to bring headlamps. I guess some lists just aren’t meant to be read.

Access Road

We did a short cardio puff up the road. Reminds me of the road to Ka’ala. Not my favorite.

Peacock Flats

Let’s not wake up the campers. Who you calling white?

Trailhead

Starting our farewell hike.

Mokuleia Trail

Mexi-Kaida and Fili-Kaida. Unmasked.

Mokuleia Trail

Somebody was not fast enough to catch the nene.

WST

We turn left, right? Or right, left?

WST

Makua Valley. You’ll have to take my word for it.

WST

Rat country ahead. Rain country too.

WST

Jumping the fence.

WST

Going down the fence line.

WST

Picking our way amongst the scattered rocks and trees.

WST

Pulling ourselves up. One fence at a time.

WST

Three Corners is out there. You’ll have to take my word for it.

Mokuleia

There’s a view. Where?

WST

Frank making his way up, while sandwiched between a rock and a fence.

Lubricant optional

Shirley high fiving the self-pleasuring glove. Please wash your hands.

WST

We are here …

Three Corners

… to witness more stunning views of Makua, Makaha and Mokuleia. You’ll have to take my word for it.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Going down the rabbit hole.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hiking in the clouds. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

I didn’t know I would be hiking with The Flying Wallendas. Or at least one of them.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The clouds and rain showers started to clear as we made our way on the ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

We could see the ridge for the fences or was that the fences for the ridge?

Ohikilolo Ridge

Please keep your hands and feet on the fenced ridge at all times. Someone wasn’t paying attention. A theme that was to be repeated at the cabin.

Ohikilolo Ridge

A rollercoaster of a ridge. Multiple short ups and downs.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hanging into Makaha Valley. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Ridge

One hand for the fence and one for the shaka. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Somebody was kung-fu hiking.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Frank and I scrambling up the ridge. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The “Buttercup” look. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Frank getting out of the way, before a darky fell on him.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Shirley looking back as the clouds seemed to be chasing us down from the mountains. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

How do you sit on this? Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Rainbow in Makua Valley. I heard it leads to pots of UMX ( unexploded ordnance ).

Ohikilolo Ridge

Open for camping.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Climbing up from the boulder.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Now you see the clouds …

Ohikilolo Ridge

The fence took up valuable real estate on the ridge while affording us handholds and keeping out the unwanted ungulates. Give and take.

Ohikilolo Ridge

… and now you don’t see the clouds.

Ohikilolo Ridge

This grasshopper had the right idea on how to hike this ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Climbing up from the notch.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Shirley climbing around and up the interrupted fence line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Fences for days.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Fill in the blank and use your vivid imagination. Shirley wishes she had a ____ right now.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The Great Fence of Ohikilolo.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hiking into the wind. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Ridge

How to train your rock dragon. No caption credit given this time.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Almost there. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Always amazed to find these hardy plants living in such a parched and seemingly inhospitable terrain.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Mars slip and slide recreational area.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Pausing and posing. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Time to climb up to the triangular peak of Ohikilolo, but first … Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

… let’s have another IG photo shoot.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Overlooking Makua Valley. You don’t have to take my word for it. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Backside

Let’s take the easy way up.

Ohikilolo Summit

Random group photos at the 3,052′ peak.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking out towards Pu’u Keaau on our way to the cabin.

Ohikilolo Outhouse

Throne with a view. BYOTP.

Cabin life

What’s for lunch? Cold burritos with rice and potatoes, courtesy of Frank. Homemade? Mexican.

Let’s pretend

And … ?

Ohikilolo Cabin

Saying goodbye to the cabin and the mountains.

Ohikilolo Ridge

All downhill. Rocky. Fenced.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The sun started to turn the ridge and valley into a sauna. Time to shed the sweater. Dry cleaned and pressed please.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hanging ten on the fence hammocks.

Ohikilolo Ridge

What’s going on? Another IG photo shoot. I guess every dog has to have his day as well.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking out towards Kaena Point.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Shirley and I traversing the skinnier section of the fenced ridge. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

I was pleasantly surprised that we did not run across any goats that thought the grass was greener on the other side.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking back at the ridge as the afternoon shade slowly creeped across the valley floor.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Frank and Shirley stepping over the fence to get to the other side.

Ohikilolo Ridge

How many IG photo shoots does this one make?

Ohikilolo Ridge

It was just a short, steep scramble down the rocky trail and out to the highway. Please leave the little ones at home.

All pau

My fingers are tired. Thanks to Frank’s buddy, Kyle, who picked us up and shuttled us back to our cars. Photo by Frank Martinez.

GPS Tracks

Our last hike of the year started off with clouds and rain showers, that soon turned into a cloudy and sunny beast of a ridge hike with fences and views for miles. 10.43 miles to be exact. Fun times with great company. Good memories. Happy New Year’s to all.

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.