We spent Veteran’s Day weekend with veterans and non-veterans to help a friend finish the KST.

Jeep Road

Mahalo to Jimell and Mona for driving us up the road that was filled with cows and a solitary hiker.

Poamoho Trail

Stepping foot on what used to be known as the marsh trail until it was improved by the Civilian Conservations Corp in 1934 and renamed it to what it’s called today.

Poamoho Trail

The solitary hiker that we thought we had left in the dust on the jeep road soon caught up with us on the trail and passed us. Who is this guy?

Poamoho Trail

Crossing the small stagnant stream as we approached the windy grassy summit.

Poamoho Trail

We passed multiple Koolau Range lobelia whose tubular flowers were blooming.

Cline Memorial

No views at the summit so we started heading towards the cabin.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Traversing the boardwalk that was installed to limit the spread of invasive seeds to the mostly endemic area.

Poamoho Cabin

Pit stop at the oldest cabin on the KST for water and where we met up again with the hiker on the trail who turned out to be a cool guy named Eric. He was planning on hiking all the way to Manana but the inclement weather changed his mind.

KST

Using the trail that was blasted, chipped and dug out of the mountainside during the years of 1933-1936.

KST

Chico stepping through one of many gates on the trail that serves to allow passage to humans but not feral animals. Is there a difference?

KST

Traversing over one of many landslides on the trail that have long been weathered by footsteps and plant growth.

KST

Eric soon had his fill of the cloud soaked trail and turned back.

KST

The clouds were fighting with the views. The suspended water droplets were winning.

KST

Following the fence line that was installed to prevent feral ungulates from decimating the endemic fauna and flora.

KST

The Ko’olau Goose was receiving some unwanted or wanted attention.

KST

Looking ahead to the Waikane-Waiahole Junction.

KST

Life imitating art.

KST

The girls hugging the cliff as they made their way on the trail.

Schofield-Waikane Summit

We took lunch at the 2,360′ socked in clearing where we were denied views of the four undeveloped valleys. Rain, rain, go away. The nursery rhyme didn’t seem to work in the mountains.

KST

Chris pointing out the many false holes that pocketed the trail.

KST

Taking the high road as we split from the junction as the other trail drops down to Waikane Valley.

KST

Crossing over the well trodden landslide area.

KST

A snail on its last slimy trail? This particular unshelled gastropod was looking for a calcium fortress in all the wrong places.

KST

Contouring on the Leeward side of the mountain.

KST

Pushing through the corridor of congested uluhe ferns on the trail.

KST

Following the fence line down in the dark.

Tree of Life

Lack of daylight forced us to make camp in the wind blasted meadow that had everybody struggling to pitch their tents as the strong winds coupled with darkness pierced by our headlamps made a usual task extraordinary. On top of that, somehow my stake bag got lost and lucky I was camping with CB that had his knife and carved wooden stakes out of his hiking stick. To make matters more interesting, it started to rain on our parade as well which made us setting up our tents more urgent if we wanted to stay more dry than wet.

Tree of Life

Chico turned on his burner to stay warm and also added extra ventilation to his tent.

Tree of Life

Day 2 – Saturday November 11, 2023
Waking up the next morning to the illuminated lights from the central plain.

Tree of Life

Pictures with the vertical and horizontal Japanese Sugi Pine Trees. Yes that is a tree and not a bush behind us. We broke down camp as the winds persisted in keeping us company.

KST

It was a chore just to get out of the wind tunnel and back onto the trail. Any lighter and some of us would have been Mary Poppins.

KST

Walking on the trail that seemingly interrupted the flow of uluhe ferns that cascaded down the mountainside.

KST

Finally getting a break in the views.

KST

Approaching the small cut in the mountains.

KST

Passing the notch which I assume to be man-made much like the earlier notch after Poamoho.

KST

Dropping into the patch of Japanese Sugi Pine Trees under the shadow of Waiahole Summit.

KST

Walking amongst the moss covered red-cedar trees which are considered the national tree of Japan.

KST

We left Camp Rusty and climbed our way back to the ridge line.

Kipapa Summit

Where tomato becomes tomatoe. KST to KSRT.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

The trail soon followed the ridge line instead of meandering throughout the mountains.

KSRT

Enjoying expansive views of the Windward coastline and valleys.

KSRT

Picking our way through the ankle biters, shin hitters and false holes on the trail.

KSRT

Crossing over with verdant views of the meadows, valleys and peaks.

Waiawa Gap

Taking a breather at the gated fence line.

Waiawa Gap

Descending into the gap.

Waiawa Gap

Climbing out of the gap.

KSRT

To bee or not to bee. The idea of whether is it better to live or to die. In this case for the honeybee, quite relevant.

KSRT

Mountain views for days.

KSRT

Back to our regularly scheduled program of hiking.

KSRT

I don’t know if I was giving the signal to land or to cook lunch. This was roughly the same spot where Doug Ross was plucked from the mountains and flown back to sea level.

KSRT

The hills had hills.

KSRT

Chris going through the tree tunnel and dropping off the ridge to the meadow below us.

The Corner

Much like salmon spawning, we went upstream to collect water from the creek.

The Corner

It was another deja vu moment as we all struggled to climb out of the wind swept meadow.

KSRT

Rounding the landmark ‘ohi’a tree. No plucking of the flowers, we don’t need any more rain on our parade.

KSRT

Descending down the ridge with the expansive overlook of the ancient ahupua’a, divisions of land which ranged from the mountain to the ocean, which was meant to sustain the local population and excess was for tribute.

KSRT

Passing the Windward views as we made our way to the final terminus on the trail.

Manana Summit

#20 – My customary champagne celebratory dousing of Aileen who had just finished her last section to put all the pieces together to complete all 52 miles of the Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST). Congratulations!

Manana Summit

Group photo at the 2,660′ knob. Chris made another pot of saimin which he shared with us at the top.

Manana Summit

Leaving the summit for what Stuart Ball calls “the best of the ungraded Ko’olau ridge trails.” I would have to respectfully disagree.

Manana Trail

Golden hour.

Manana Trail

Our last group photo as the sun slowly sank below the horizon, plunging the trail into darkness.

Manana Trail

Chico testing out the Uluhe bedding on the trail for potential camp spots.

Manana Trail

We interrupted a couple in their pitched tent on one of many false summits. I hope that’s all we interrupted.

All pau

We got out from the trail a little past midnight. Sorry that my banged up knee kept everybody up past their bedtime. Post hike meal was served on site from Teddy’s Burgers courtesy of Aida, Ferlino and Jasmin and a colony of feral cats. Congrats again to Aileen for finishing the KST and the group for another memorable hike that covered over 17 miles through the mountains.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Val Wang, 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.

I bit off more than I could chew on today’s hike. I was a tad ambitious in thinking that I could traverse from Poamoho to Pupukea in a single daylight day. My lack of fleetness and the punishing overgrowth and mud had me throw in the towel and cutting the hike short at Laie. I still spent a whole day in the mountains by myself. Forest time. Solitude time.

Poamoho Trail

A big thanks to Richie and Roseann for dropping me off at the trailhead. The overgrowth on the jeep trail was really out of hand which cut the driving time to a crawl.

Poamoho Trail

Going up the graded trail which looked like it was recently cleared and ate my banana breakfast at the halfway point.

Poamoho Summit

The winds were blowing the clouds away at the summit. Breathtaking as always.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

I left the Cline Memorial and the overgrowth was already impasssable on the trail, so I dropped to the fence line and followed it to the gate. A bad harbinger of things to come.

KST

Passing a lobelia plant that seemed on the verge of blooming.

Boot Junction

One hour after leaving the summit, I reached the boot that has seen better days.

KST

I elected to save my energy and plowed right through all the mud pits scattered along the trail. It takes too much energy trying to detour around them and not get muddy. Why stave off the inevitable? Embrace the mud. People pay good money to soak in mud. I was getting it all for free.

Rabbit Hole

My head was hunkered down as I was trying to make good time and before I knew it, I had overshot the junction and was almost at the doorstep of the Army Cabin. #*$@*!

Papali Junction

The weather had took a turn for the worse as I reached the Papali Junction complete with a spanking new sign.

KST

Meandered through the mountains as the trail contoured around the hills with trails that seemed to be surrendering back to Mother Nature in spots.

KST

Pushing my way through mud pits and clouds of uluhe, clidemia, thimbleberry thorns and other plants soon sapped my energy. I was not making good time.

KST

Taking a load off my legs as I rested on the scenic rock looking out towards the Waianae Mountain Range.

Koloa Cabin

I reached the cabin at 1pm, which was significantly slower than my last solo trek. I decided that the overgrowth was probably going to be worst past Laie based on how things were going, so I took a break at the cabin and decided to bail down Laie.

KST

Leaving the fence line behind me as I pushed towards Kawailoa.

KST

Descending down towards the bowl shaped depression.

Laie Summit

I reached my last summit at 3pm. My body and mind had enough of the KST today. The sole-sucking mud and punishing overgrowth had totally taxed what meager willpower I had in me. Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.

Laie Trail

Going down the six mile trail with another brand new sign.

Laie Trail

Passing the waterfalls where I heard some trail runners laughing ahead of me. Wish I could have laughed at that point. I was just bone tired.

All pau

My hike covered almost 16 miles through some of the worst overgrowth on the trails that I have witnessed in recent memory. Thanks to Quan for picking me up at the end. Post hike meal at Kenko-ya where everybody knows your name or at least your favorite dish. Order at the door. Better than door dash.

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.

I decided to spend another camping weekend in the mountains, but on the KST this time around. Thanks to Lonnie for dropping Ani and myself off at the start of our hike.

Trailhead

No other hikers on the trail this morning, except …

Trail

… a friendly dog walker and her domesticated charges.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Enjoying the mountain shade until we curved around the road and greeted the morning sun.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Practicing my flood evacuation procedures. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Trail

Going off the beaten road and onto the beaten path.

Black Junction

Pushing off to start the official beginning of the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Making our way down the tree lined trail.

KST

Ani passing the separated and solitary ohia trees on our way to the small clearing at the top.

Pu’u Hina

Taking a short break at Pupukea Summit.

KST

Watching the windmills slowly pin wheeling at the Kahuku Wind Farm.

KST

Welcome to the jungle. Please keep your hands, arms and legs on the trail at all times. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Geocache

Is there a machete or sickle inside that leaky Tupperware container? Nope, back to pushing our way through the dense overgrowth which pulled, scratched and poked us six ways to Sunday.

KST

Shouldering our way through the Windward side of the trail. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

KST

Halfway there and my arms were already on fire. I should’ve worn long sleeves as this was not my first rodeo on this trail. Slow learner.

KST

Fighting gravity and the overgrowth as we pushed our way up the hill.

KST

Ani enjoying every minute on the overgrown trail. Lovin’ it. Maybe I was thinking of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Value Meal instead.

Tree Cross

Service in the mountains. Does your body and soul good.

Malaekahana Junction

Watching the waves wrap around Laie Point before dropping down to contour on the Leeward side of the ridge.

KST

Ani pushing her way through the dense thicket of uluhell ferns and trees.

Laie Summit

Can we just camp here? Absolutely, positively not.

KST

Pushing on the Windward side of the ridge in a futile attempt to make the cabin before nightfall.

KST

Ani making her way out of the bowl shaped depression.

KST

We made contact with the beginning of the fence line and the rain just started dumping on us. Then the sun went away as well. Good times.

KST

Climbing over the fence only to find that the cabin was locked tighter than a drum. We ended up pitching our tent on the porch in the driving rain.

Koloa Cabin

Early morning bowel movements. Air freshener not included nor needed.

Koloa Cabin

Mahalo for the porch hospitality.

KST

Ani climbing over the fence to get back on the muddier trail. The mud pits that she heard so much about, she was about to experience it first hand.

KST

Contouring the carved trail on the Windward side as the sun and rain took turns bathing us.

KST

Hawaiian rainbow arcing from the mountain to the sea.

KST

Passing through a section of moss blanketed trees.

KST

Ani sloshing through the mud trail.

KST

Back on the exposed Windward side of the ridge line.

Papali Junction

What happened to the 10 minute break? It’s only been two minutes! Sorry, I went to public school.

The Pig and The Lady

Opening soon at a mountain near you. Fresh off the bone.

KST

Ani going through the gated fence that would take us to the other side of the fence.

KST Sign #3

One of four wooden KST signs on the trail.

KST

Following the fence to the smelly sock post.

KST

The ridge soon began opening up with wrap around never-fails-to-disappoint views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys.

KST

Looking back at Pu’u Piei through the constricted views afforded by the narrow ravine.

KST

We can see the boot for the fence.

Bus Shelter

Let’s not miss the bus at Poamoho. Leaving at 1500.

Boot Junction

Ani finally got her whole 10 minute break at the boot junction.

KST

Background views of Manamana and Kanehoalani. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

KST

Are we on the right trail?

KST

Did we lose the fence?

KST

Are we on the right trail?

KST

We followed the outer fence line that shadowed the ridge.

KST

Hanging on the outside of the fence until we had to switch to the inside of the fence.

KST

The fence line soon ran into a blockade of trees and overgrowth which shunted us to the original trail.

KST

Yes, we are on the right trail. Please play another record. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

KST

This section of the KST affords the most bucolic views to be had from the mountains.

KST

Time to get off the fence line and join the crowd waiting for us at the summit.

Cline Memorial

We arrived at the summit around 1415, which gave us ample time to guzzle down the carbonated beverage and manapua that Chris so graciously brought us.

Poamoho Summit

Postcard perfect view of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys. Thanks to Brian and Chris who met us at the summit; along with Andrew and Josh, two mainland welders from our work place. There were also two other hikers who happened to be visiting the summit as well, Jacey and Miles. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ summit; left to right: myself, Andrew, Brian, Miles, Jacey, Josh, Ani and Chris.

Poamoho Trail

People had places to go and Japanese food to eat, so we took our leave of the summit. Chris the Sherpa, lightened Ani’s burden by shouldering her backpack on our way down.

Poamoho Trail

Andrew and Josh fared suprisingly well in their sneakers on the muddy trail.

Poamoho Trail

Jacey and Miles making their way back on the graded trail.

Poamoho Trail

Ani at the trailhead. But wait, we’re not finished yet.

All pau

We still had to contend with and endure the bone jarring, head bashing 4×4 ride back down the five mile jeep road. Thanks Brian.

GPS Tracks

Our two day camping hike through the muddiest and overgrown sections of the KST covered just shy of 24 miles. Amazing adventure with an awesome buddy, who also doubles as a broken record player. Post hike meal at Alley’s Restaurant. Dinner on Ani. Mahalo! Thanks to Brian for picking us up at the trailhead and Chris for taking us back to our cars. A slice of pecan pie from Lonnie’s party ended our day.

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.