It was our second attempt with the same crew for the same trail. The first one was aborted due to severe weather. This time around was different. We would finish, come hell or high water or mud.

Poamoho Trail

Mahalo to Edgar for driving Aida, Jeremy, Roger and myself up the jeep road for our hike today.

Poamoho Trail

Jeremy crossing the barely wet stream that was a marked departure from our last visit where the stream was flowing quite forcefully.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo on the surprisingly still summit at 2,520′ elevation.

Cline Memorial

Leaving the summit as we stepped foot on the Ko’olau Summit Trail. Stuart Ball said “The Ko’olau Summit Trail is for experienced hikers only because it is overgrown, muddy, and sometimes narrow and obscure.” Truer words were never spoken for this day.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

We stayed to the left of the fence line as we made our way past the snail habitat and opened the gate to where the country is still country, trails less traveled.

KST

Contoured our way below the fenced ridge line and traversed across the old landslide until we regained the fence line.

KST

Breaking free of the mud and overgrowth, we enjoyed a brief respite on an open section of the trail. Enjoy it while it lasts.

KST

Climbing up the gradual slope where we soon regained the fence line again, a constant companion on the trails.

KST

Following the fence line against the backdrop of Kahana Valley and the prominent peak of Ohulehule.

Boot Junction

Group photo at the iconic junction, wondering when the boot will eventually fall off the stake due to constant exposure to the elements.

KST

Roger going over the fence after crossing the spongy meadow.

KST

Resuming our fenced walk.

KST

Keeping the fence to our left and the views to our right.

KST

Fences for daze.

Rabbit Hole

Group photo at the sign that needed a new home or was it the home needed a new sign?

KST

Roger and the rest of them did not want to get “baptized” by the deep mud at the foot of the gate. Sticks in the mud.

Papali Summit

Taking a well-deserved break at the summit.

KST

Resuming our hike on the trail. Roger was probably thinking “what trail?”

KST

The group following in the footsteps of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) that blasted and carved the KST out of the mountains from Black Junction to Kipapa from 1933-1935.

KST

The mostly young men lead by experienced engineers had to work in inhospitable terrain and often in grueling conditions that was marked by low hanging clouds, incessant rain, mud and heavy overgrowth.

KST

The original purpose of building this trail was justified for invasive animal eradication, forestry management and later recreation.

KST

Watching the fiery sunbeams as it slowly washed over the Waianae Mountain Range.

KST

The group climbing in and out of the notch, which meant …

Koloa Cabin

… which meant we were close to our cabin for the night. The door was unhinged and almost fell on me as I turned the doorknob. What a welcoming surprise. The rest of the group wanted to see the cabin from the top before coming down to dry out as best as we could for the night. No one wanted to be a Shithead tonight, so my deck of playing cards stayed in its pack.

Koloa Cabin

Day 2
We woke up to starry skies which was a pleasant surprise to me as most of my overnighters were marked by gusting winds and rain and morning clouds.

Koloa Cabin

Once a princess, always a princess in the mountains.

Koloa Cabin

Group photo after we cleaned up the cabin, used the open air outhouse and got ready for another day of mud and more overgrowth.

KST

Mud race anybody? Tradition dies easily in the mountains.

KST

We all enjoyed the mud in our own ways.

KST

The jarhead wanted to take point and show us that he still got it, in terms of land navigation skills. Semper Fi.

KST

Let’s go this way as we don’t want to hike on the Kawailoa Trail. Not today.

KST

Winding our way through the mountains as “The Eddie” was kicking off at Waimea Bay.

Laie Summit

Celebrating Aida’s second KST finish with the non-traditional non-pouring of bottled water. Such a buzzkill.

Laie Summit

Leaving the 2,240′ foxhole summit as we made our way to the trail.

KST

Looking up at the satellite that keeps the tides and ecosystems in check on Earth.

KST

Somebody didn’t believe me when I said the overgrowth would be worse than yesterday and the duration and distance longer. Seeing is believing.

KST

Meandering through the mountains as we spied rows of the single trunked palm tree with fan shaped leaves below us, the endemic loulu palm trees.

Malaekahana Junction

There once used to be an HTMC green wooden sign that marks this spot, now only a friends glove marks the junction.

KST

Round and round we go throughout the mountains. That is why this is called the Ko’olau Summit Trail and not the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

KST

Disappearing into the overgrowth, only to pop up later like so many jack in the boxes.

KST

Jeremy was just having a grand ole’ time, wallowing in the overgrowth.

KST

Group photo at what I call the halfway spot on the trail.

KST

Taking our lunch break, further down the trail and away from the mud pits.

KST

Pays to be limber and flexible on this trail.

KST

Who brought the machete? Crickets.

KST

Crawling and scrambling our way through the often dense overgrowth.

KST

Overgrowth all day and then some. No exaggeration.

Pu’u Hina

Enjoying the city lights from the summit of Pupukea.

Black Junction

We reached the end or start of the KST. It also marked my #18 passage across the dormant fragmented shield volcano. Yes dormant, not extinct.

All pau

The yellow gates near Camp Pupukea did not mark the end of our hike. We still had another mile to walk to Jeremy’s car. 1.2 miles to be exact. Shall we call Uber? Don’t bother. Nobody’s going to come. Let’s start walking and get this night over.

GPS Tracks

Our weekend camping hike covered 19.46 miles through mud, overgrowth and mountainous scenery. Congratulations to Aida for finishing the KST for her second time. Fun times with a good group of friends. Post hike meal at Jack in the Box. In the parking lot.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Jeremy Cannone, Roger Schiffman, 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.

Back to back hikes that replaced the overgrown hike with the muddiest one in the mountains.

Laie Trail

Thanks to Ferlino for driving Akira, Chris, Tessa, and myself all the way into the road to start at the trailhead. Saved us a whole ten minutes!

Laie Trail

Chris giving the surf report from the mountains.

Laie Trail

Hiking by artificial illumination.

Laie Trail

The sunrise peeking through the grove of Norfolk pine trees.

Laie Trail

Traversing the cleaned up landslide.

Laie Trail

Is this the summit or the falls? Trying to fool the new guy.

Laie Trail

Akira poking his head out of one of numerous trenches that were dug on the side of the trail during WW2. They were to be packed with explosives and set off in case the Japanese military had invaded Oahu after the attack on Pearl Harbor and wreck the trail.

Laie Trail

Some people are not easily fooled or scared.

Laie Trail

Passing the replacement sign on our way to the summit.

Laie Summit

Enjoying outstanding panoramic views of the Windward and Leeward sides at the 2,240′ foxhole.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Stepping foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains.

KST

Contouring our way through the mountains.

KST

The group crossing the bowl shaped depression.

KST

Initial contact with the fence on the trail.

KST

Traversing through the uluhe carpeted trail.

KST

Climbing up the steep fenced hill.

KST

Akira embracing the suck.

KST

Why did the hikers cross the fence? To get out of the cold biting wind.

Koloa Cabin

Brief stop at the largest cabin on the KST.

KST

Back on the trail again.

KST

Tessa climbing in and out of the notch.

KST

Rounding the corner on one of the few sections of the trail that was devoid of overgrowth and mud.

KST

Who pushed Tessa down? The wind? The clouds? Akira?

KST

Vangee training with the speed bag for his upcoming match with Naoya “The Monster” Inoue.

KST

Tree hugger.

KST

Winding our way through the mountains.

KST

Approaching the group of mossed over trees that signaled we were close to the summit.

Papali Summit

A much needed break from the exhausting mud and overgrowth on the trail.

KST

Sole and soul sucking mud as we crossed the gated fence.

Rabbit Hole

The KST sign has seen better times.

KST

They were four constant companions on our hike today: mud, overgrowth, fence and clouds.

KST

Navigating through the KST has been made much easier with the fence line.

KST

Traversing through the cloud soaked rolling hills.

KST

The clouds finally relented and cooperated in providing us with valley and coastal views.

KST

Crossing the fence and meadow to reach the other side.

KST

Mountain views in the background.

Da Boot

Group photo at the iconic boot KST sign junction. The boot has seen better days as well.

KST

Talk to the glove.

KST

Staying on the right as we climbed up another hill.

KST

Leaving the fence temporarily behind as we descended down to the mud soaked trail.

KST

Exiting the gate to contour around the ridge line.

KST

Flowering lobelia against the backdrop of Pu’u Ohulehule.

KST

Entering our last gate on the KST.

Poamoho Summit

We pushed against the wind to make our way to promising views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ grassy hump.

Poamoho Summit

Checking out our mountain mileage at the Cline Memorial.

Poamoho Trail

Halfway to the trailhead.

Poamoho Trail

Reflective trailhead.

Poamoho Road

A big shout out to Chico who drove up 4.4 miles up the road which meant we only had to walk roughly 1.6 miles down the overgrown and puddled road. Thanks also to Gordon and Nick for getting the gate combination over to us.

All pau

We ran into a cow blockade further down the road, infinitely preferable than a cow stampede. Glad we were safely encased in a truck when our paths met, otherwise we would have to learn to be paniolos on the job.

GPS Tracks

Our muddy hike covered 16.72 miles that could have been longer if not for Chico’s timely intervention. Punishing hike with old and new friends. Post hike meal at Popeyes on base where leaving our muddy tracks on a freshly mopped floor was not well appreciated.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chris Bautista, 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.

It was time for another camping weekend in the mountains. Thanks to Caroline for dropping Katie, Lilyn and myself off at the trailhead where we met up with Agnes, Allison, Anne and Matt, but not before taking care of bathroom breaks and morning coffee fixes. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Poamoho Gate

A big mahalo to Lonnie and Stacy for driving us up the jeep road to the trailhead, where the weather conditions looked promising. False promises.

Trailhead

Group photo at the rainy start to our hike, left to right: Agnes, Lilyn, Matt, Allison, myself, Anne and Katie.

Poamoho Trail

Threading our way through the barricade designed to filter only two legged hikers onto the trail.

Poamoho Trail

The group traversing the graded trail which interrupted the wall of cascading uluhe ferns.

Poamoho Trail

Katie explaining where the rain comes from.

Poamoho Trail

Catching nothing but rain drops today. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Poamoho Trail

The group going up the muddy rutted trail.

Cline Memorial

Hunkered below the rock memorial from the sweeping rain storm. We all passed on visiting the scenic-less summit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Snail Habitat

Looking for native escargot and finding none. Photo by Allison Banks.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Stepping foot on the Northern section of the KST. Keep the country country.

KST

Allison going over the land slide. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Working our way back to the fence line.

KST

The hills have fences. For daze. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Some in the group went left and some went right. We all ended up at the same place.

KST

Fast forward to a couple hours where Chris and Lee got dropped off and hiked up to meet us and were blessed with scenic mountain views. What a difference that a couple hours makes. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

Where there’s a glove, the boot can’t be far off. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Boot Junction

Group shot at the iconic boot junction. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Fence Meadows

Matt crossing the spongy meadow to get to the other fence line.

KST

Dropping down into the gully. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Matt standing near the top of the trickling waterfall. Photo by Anne Fai.

Kaluanui Reserve

Entering the first established Natural Area Reserve in the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Anne Fai.

Mud Pits

Clinging to the fence line to avoid the mud. An exercise in futility for the most part.

Sock Stake

Is that a dirty sock on the stake or are you just glad to see me? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Mud Pits

Plunging through the shin deep mud, at least it wasn’t waist deep like a couple years ago. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Mud Pits

Allison embracing the mud. Nowhere to run. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trail

The goat skull says to go that way. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Opae’ula Cabin

Allison approaching the only cabin on the KST with mountain views. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Wash Day

Draining the water from the 55 gallon catchment to wash our muddy shoes and pants. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Green Mangoes and Bagoong

Everybody except one liked the green mangoes with fish sauce. Guess who?

Slippah Repair

It is true. Duct tape can fix anything! Photo by Katie Bingham.

Mountain Yoga

Limbering our bodies up for what was to come.

Opae’ula Cabin

Synchronized shaka’s. Harder than it sounds. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Opae’ula Cabin

Drone photos by Matt Vidaurri.

Opae’ula Cabin

Group photo as we decided what to do next with all the time we had on our hands. My return to childhood memories was dashed when Katie tossed the recently found squirt gun in the bushes. Killjoy and stick in the mud. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Stupid Human Tricks

Finding our 15 minutes of meaningless fame in the mountains.

Standing Broom Challenge

It works without the handle too. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Army Cabin

I hear you knocking but you can’t come in. Chris and Lee crashing the cabin party.

Wash Day

Clothes and shoes hanging out to dry. Wet dry. Photo by Allison Banks.

Cabin Cuisine

Carrying the oxtail soup up the mountains paid off with a delicious hot dinner. Sides of rice, eggs, mountain house, tuna and ramen. Washed down with hard liquor, soda and water.

Sunset

Enjoying the twinkling city lights before turning in to the snoring sounds from the animal zoo. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Sunrise

Waking up to the cloud soaked hills in the distance with a slight chill in the air. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Opae’ula Cabin

Group photo as we left our cabin lodgings, left to right: Lilyn, Katie, Matt, Anne, Allison, Agnes, myself, Lee and Chris.

Mud Pits

Chris enjoying his early morning mud bath. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST Junction

The wooden sign was back where it rightfully belonged, thanks to Chris for zip tying it to the post. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST Junction

Crossing the mud soaked trail that was interrupted by the gated fence line. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Following the fence line as it cut through the mountains. Photo by Anne Fai.

Papali Summit

We took a short break at the sign-less summit.

KST

Enjoying the scenic view of the Waianae Mountains. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Little Red Riding Hiker

And what big hands you have! The better to shaka you with! Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Meandering in the mountains. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KST

The group passing through one of many meadows in the mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Brokeback Mountain

When the overgrowth is so thick and punishing, that you need the combined weight of two bodies to push through. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Agnes against the backdrop of the slowly rotating windmills. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Time for a photo break. Sponsored by Akamai Services. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes.

Lechon

When pigs fly. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Mountain Gym

Chris sparring with the mossy double end bag. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Making our way through the convoluted terrain of the KST. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Holding hands and singing Kumbaya on the scenic rock. I don’t know about the singing part. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Lilyn climbing her way back to the trail after she took a slight detour.

KST

Colorful hikers spread out on the trail.

KST

The group climbing in and out of the notch.

KST

We’re almost there! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

The group meeting up with the fence again.

KST

Taking the short cut to the cabin. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Koloa Cabin

Dropping down to the cabin.

Koloa Cabin

A short stay at the most spacious cabin on the KST.

Koloa Cabin

Group photo by Agnes Bryant on the cabin porch deck.

KST

Leaving the cabin for muddier trails.

Mud Pits

When you just can’t get enough of the mud, you go back for a second helping. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Going down the steep hill where the fence came in handy. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

Enjoying the scenic views on our way down. Photo by Allison Banks.

KST

Leaving the fence line behind us. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

Where’s that fence when you need it?

KST

The group crossing the bowl shaped depression. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KST

Following the trail to the summit. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Chris-in-the-box

Agnes and Allison getting scared on the way to the 2,240′ summit. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Summit Shenanigans

Stupid Human Tricks Day 2. We needed more than our allocated 15 minutes of fame.

Laie Summit

The group showing their “L” for the mountains. Anybody’s guess as to what “L” represents? Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Laie Trail

Leaving the summit as we started down the six mile trail.

Laie Trail

Katie at a scenic spot overlooking the towns of Kahuku and Laie.

Laie Trail

Falling head over heels off the trail. The main thing is not losing the two phones in my pocket. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Trail

We are hangry. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trail snacks

Chris fired up his Jet Boil to cook up the remaining ramen packs. When you don’t have a fork to slurp down the noodles, a toothbrush will do. And you can brush your teeth right after eating. Killing two bird with one stone.

Laie Trail

Allison making her way down the mostly graded trail. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Laie Falls Junction

No side visit to the refreshing pool today.

Laie Trail

Ducking our way underneath one of several blowdowns on the trail.

Laie Trail

Passing through the grove of pine trees. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Trail

Making our way down the eroded red dirt road.

All pau

Walking out to Matt’s staged truck and other rides that had come to collect the group. Our 23 plus mile hike was filled with mud, overgrowth and fun times with good friends. Memories to last a lifetime or at least for the weekend. Post hike meal at Haleiwa Joe’s where we were promised prime rib and had to settle for steak instead. Life is hard. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our fun weekend hike.

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.

It was time to help another friend connect the dots and complete the Ko’olau Summit Trail. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Paala Uka Pupukea Road

Mahalo to Quan for dropping Analyn, Cisco, Kip and myself off on the military road where our rides were waiting.

Jeep Road

We were shaken, not stirred in Brian’s Jeep. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Trailhead

One jeep was muddy, the other was not. Thanks to Brian and Jason for off-roading us up to the trail.

Poamoho Trail

Passing through the barricades designed to filter only humans and dogs onto the trail. It’s hard to believe that the Army once thought of paving the entire trail to the summit to allow vehicle access.

Poamoho Trail

No tree shall stand in the way of Analyn getting her bananas. I would hate to be standing between her and the dessert buffet.

Poamoho Trail

How long more do I have to carry this?

Boy Scouts of America

We ran into Troop 197 who were aborting their hike down to Laie due to the troop leader not feeling well.

Unmaintained Trail

It was time to distribute the bunch of botanical berries between the group. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Poamoho Trail

Heading into the gulch that was once home to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) cabin that was built back in the 1930’s.

Lobelia

Is somebody excited or what?

Poamoho Summit

We took our group photo on the hill above the summit where the winds were something fierce.

Poamoho Summit

Double knot shoe tying lesson. Please pay attention as I’ll only demonstrate it one time and one time only. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Poamoho Summit

Leaving the windswept summit as we started on the Leeward side of the trail that would shelter us from the biting wind.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Scrambling our way over the Windward contour. The landslide has been pretty much reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Salmon Ohi’a Lehua

Look but don’t touch. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

KST

Making our way on the Leeward side of the trail, where the overgrowth are slowly poised to take over the trail if traffic remains light.

Lobelia

Back on the Windward side of the trail, where the windy conditions keep the overgrowth at bay.

KST

The fence line is like the washing machine of the mountains. It is where gloves, socks and boots end up.

Boot Junction

Booty call. One of them needs to be replaced soon. Not saying which one. Photo by Kip Mizushima.

Fence Meadows

Crossing the spongy meadow to get to the other side of the fence.

KST

Climbing down into the fenced ravine.

Kaluanui

Take a left to go to the cabin or take a right to see waterfalls. Choose wisely. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

KST

Sloshing in the mud pits. If it’s good for your face, must be good for the feet as well.

Windsock

Winds were coming from the North-East and blowing at 7 MPH. That’s what the dirty sock said.

KST

Analyn came into contact with a protruding part of the fence and suffered a poke to her leg.

KST

After being patched up by the RN on duty, we went back to our regularly scheduled program of hiking.

KST

The Pig and The Lady and The Guys.

Papali Junction

Analyn approaching the sign-less summit, where we took a short break.

KST

Cisco navigating one of the many twists and turns on the KST.

KST

Analyn suckling from Kip’s teat. I thought it was supposed to be the other way around?

Deja vu

If you see this water bottle twice, you are hopelessly lost. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

KST

Smiling and swimming in the overgrowth. Two contradictory actions.

KST

Sitting on the scenic rock looking out towards the Waianae Range and surrounded by rat traps. Mountain life. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

KST

Breaking out onto the exposed ridgeline.

KST

Analyn rounding the corner and approaching the biggest hole on the trail.

KST

Joining back up with the fence line, which meant we were very close to the cabin.

KST

Following the fence down and crossing over to our home for the night. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Koloa Cabin

Making our way down to the cabin. The open cabin.

Koloa Cabin

Blood with tomatoes. Sardines in tomatoes. Kim Chee noodles with Vienna sausage. Wine but no Coke. Blue orbs floating below the floorboards. Only one wasn’t edible.

Koloa Cabin

It was time to leave the cozy cabin and slip back into our still wet shoes. Wet clothing remains wet in the mountain air.

KST

Going over the fence to get back onto the trail.

KST

The muddy fenced path. Made more muddy with all the rain we got last night. Somebody refused to embrace the mud.

KST

Cisco on the exposed and graded trail carpeted with lush, green uluhe ferns.

KST

Leaving the fence line behind us.

KST

Crossing down into the bowl shaped depression between Kawailoa and Laie.

Lobelia

… where we saw patches of Koolau Range Lobelia, yes I put my face down into the bouquet of tubular flowers like the IG girls … Paraphrased from James Joyce. Photo by Kip Mizushima.

KST

Making our way to the cloudy summit. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Laie Summit

We hunkered down in the foxhole to escape from the cold, biting winds since we had zero views. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

KST

The clouds, rains and winds persisted throughout the day. Typical weather found on the Northern Ko’olau Range.

KST

Cisco plunging into the tangled thicket of uluhe ferns and clidemia shrubs.

KST

Enjoying a brief respite from the overgrowth. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Maleakahana Junction

The glove needs to be replaced soon. Barely hanging on.

KST

Following the convoluted trail as we meandered through the mountains.

KST

Pushing our way through the bruising corridor of hardwood trees.

Green Marker

Halfway there!

Hitchhiker

When you are in constant contact with the surrounding overgrowth, you are bound to pick up the odd gastropod on your hiking gear. Photo by Kip Mizushima.

KST

Taking a break from the jungle and catching a glimpse of the Kahuku Wind Farm.

KST

Face in the woods. Plural.

KST

Kip having the time of his life pushing through the clawing and scratching uluhe ferns. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

V is for Victory

Or is it? This girl has talent.

KST

Neck deep in the uluhe ferns and strawberry guava trees.

KST

When the overgrowth drives you straight to the funny farm. These guys should know. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

KST

The light green ferns that keep invasive foreign weeds and hikers at bay. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

KST

Breaking out of the overgrowth and onto the semi-exposed trail.

To bee or not to bee

The rain and winds looked like they tuckered this bee out who refused to fly away when nudged off my pack.

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at the summit that we almost missed.

KST

Walking down the grassy trail. A much needed relief from the punishing section that we had just come from.

Black Junction

When a Burger King paper crown will not do. Why do it once when you can do it twice. Good until the last drop. Congratulations to Analyn for completing the last section she needed to finish the Ko’olau Summit Trail in its entirety.

Black Junction

Group photo left to right: Cisco, Analyn, Kip and myself.

Trail

Following the sign down to the white shell city.

Trail

The trail going down was littered with fallen logs colonized by fungus that helps to accelerate their decay. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Paala Uka Pupukea Road

Walking down the military road that had several eroded sections and rock runoffs from the cliffs above. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

All pau

Our hike was over and it was time for the crown to come off. A big thanks to Quan for picking us up by the Boy Scout Camp.

GPS Tracks

Our weekend camping hike through the muddiest and most overgrown section of the KST covered 17.33 miles. Post hike meal at Ted’s Bakery. No sign of the domesticated swine looking for handouts. Congratulations again to Analyn for finishing the KST.

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.