Our camping weekend was a working case of what can go wrong and right at the same time.

Trailhead

Met up with Amber, Doug and Thomas in the cat village at the top of Pacific Palisades. My original group of five had shrunk to two and Amber’s group had shrunk to two as well, and they were supposed to have started from Poamoho. Two groups passing in the night. In the end, we decided to combine our groups, which turned out to be fortuitous in the end. I also gave fair warning that I had some bad food and that might compromise my already slow pace, which would manifest itself later in the weekend.

Manana Ridge Trail

Rolling off the bike ramp. Imagination can take you a long way. And then cardio reality hits

Manana Ridge Trail

The most dangerous part of the trail.

Manana Ridge Trail

Adjusting and organizing at the picnic shelter.

Manana Ridge Trail

Welcome to the jungle. Uluhe jungle.

Manana Ridge Trail

The start of the rolling hills and false peaks.

Manana Ridge Trail

Rain showers at mile marker 3.5. Can it get any better?

Manana Ridge Trail

It can. The rain paused in watering the mountains.

Manana Ridge Trail

Steady grind in the mountains. One foot in front of the other.

Manana Ridge Trail

Watching random waterfalls flowing in the distance.

Manana Ridge Trail

Is this the last false peak?

Manana Summit

Group photo at the cloudy and rainy knob. Just another day in the mountains.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the 2,660′ summit for greener pastures.

Corner

Sliding our way down to the creek.

Corner

Thomas filtering water from the upper part of the muddy creek.

Corner

Some in the group didn’t need water or perhaps the thought of drinking mud and bug strained H20 wasn’t appealing.

KSRT

Back on the cloud soaked ridge line.

KSRT

Inching along.

KSRT

Are we having fun yet?

KSRT

We finally got a postcard worthy view.

KSRT

Passing through a small meadow in the mountains.

KSRT

Doug coming around the trail with the background views still holding.

KSRT

A bush of mountain naupaka flowers on the trail, these common endemic half flowers are found only on Oahu and Kauai.

KSRT

Going down on the trail section that has eroded over time. Hence, the webbing.

KSRT

Panoramic valley view.

KSRT

Talking shop in the mountains.

KSRT

This would be a nice place to camp. Be careful what you wish for.

KSRT

Somebody is looking for Olomana. No pointing allowed on this hike.

KSRT

Hiking on the ridge with the prominent Kualoa Ridge in the background.

KSRT

We need to have a meeting of the minds. Doug was rather extremely exhausted and options were discussed. Camp and rest. Return back to where we had started. None of them seemed feasible, so the call was made. I also got a text from CJ, our backup pickup at Poamoho, who advised me that the lock combination didn’t work. Fly in the ointment. Glad we found out sooner than later.

KSRT

Hello. This is Doc Brown. I need a ride. Back to the future.

KSRT

Where’s your DeLorean? In the shop. You guys want a ride down too? No, we are staying put. Yes, we know it gets cold and we have shelter, food and water. Thank you for the offer.

KSRT

Kudos to the skill of the chopper pilot that landed on the postage stamp sized spot to get Doug back to his warm bed tonight.

KSRT

And then they were three. Good night from Camp Ginger.

KSRT

Day 2
We had a lot of ground to make up as the unfortunate turn of events had put us back 4-5 hours from where I had originally wanted us to be today.

Waiawa Gap

Making our way down the cloud soaked mountains.

Waiawa Gap

Sunrise in the mountains.

Waiawa Gap

Hiking on the edge.

Waiawa Gap

Slippery climb up = taxing cardio.

Waiawa Gap

The clouds started to break apart, to give us some views worth hiking for.

Waiawa Gap

Taking a well-deserved break at the gated fence to enjoy the morning mountain views.

Waiawa Gap

Climbing out of the gap.

KSRT

Hiking into the clouds. Mother Nature can be so temperamental at times. Take what you can.

KSRT

Enjoying the last of the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail section.

Kipapa Summit

Where tomatoe becomes tomato.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Sliding our way down the soft and spongy ground.

KST

Walking in the clouds as the sounds of civilization punched its way through the clouds.

KST

Passing through the scented Japanese Sugi Pine Tree Grove.

Camp Rusty

Group photo at the planned camping spot which is also the site of the former Kipapa Cabin.

KST

We passed under the shadow of Waiahole Summit as we crossed through the man-made notch.

KST

Meandering our way through the mountains.

KST

Thomas going over the selfie stick fence junction.

KST

Approaching the emerald depression where a certain tree is growing parallel to gravity.

KST

Rounding the bend.

Tree of Life

Thomas and Amber in front of the horizontal growing Japanese Sugi Pine Tree. It gets bigger every time I visit this magical place.

KST

If you haven’t slept on a bed of tree moss, you haven’t lived.

KST

Pulling our way up on the fence line with Windward views at our back.

KST

Contouring for daze.

KST

Going over the second fence junction.

KST

Amber coming around the last “tricky” junction, easier from our direction to find it.

KST

The trail for the most part contours on the Leeward side with ample Windward views to keep us motivated.

KST

Thomas going around the trail with the Waianae Mountain Range in the background.

KST

Amber crossing over one of the biggest landslides on the trail.

KST

All smiles as we popped out on the Windward side which meant we were pretty done with the contouring part of the trail.

KST

Finding our way down to the bottom trail.

KST

Are we there yet?

KST

Looking back at the peak of Pu’u Ohulehule, that is privately owned. Believe it or not!

Schofield-Waikane Summit

Group photo at the 2,360′ spot that also marked Thomas’s completion of the KST. Congratulations! Champagne is waiting at the car. We also asked Doug who was presumably well-rested from his recovery, to check the gate lock for us.

KST

Hiking on the runway of a trail. Or at least that’s what somebody said.

KST

No feeding of the Ko’olau Goose. However, drone flying is permitted.

KST

Hello? Yes, I would like to order a working gate lock. If my request is granted, I promise to stop pointing at Olomana.

KST

Enjoying what daylight we had left as the sun began to set. Doug also had mentioned that he had gotten ahold of somebody at DLNR to hopefully come out and change the locks. If for some reason, the lock could not be changed or opened, I suggested Plan B, which was to stay overnight at the cabin.

KST

Hiking by headlamps. Doug also confirmed that the lock was changed and the combination worked as it should.

KST

Passing through the gated notch.

KST

Back on the fence line.

Poamoho Cabin

Just a quick stop to filter water since Plan B was no longer needed.

Poamoho Cabin

Obligatory log entries.

Cline Memorial

It was also my KST finish as well. #16 in the books.

All pau

Many thanks to Cary for picking us up despite the late hour and driving us down the dark jeep road. Also a big mahalo to Aileen who was waiting down at the gate for us with food and drinks from McDonald’s and took us to our cars in Pearl City. Glad you didn’t come on the hike after all!

GPS Tracks

Our memorable camping hike covered 17.10 miles, always get different mileages when I do the same route. Go figure. This weekend proved that everything happens for a reason. It started with certain individuals dropping out of the hike for different reasons. Then, my friend CJ told me about the lock not working. Heads up on that one. Doug got pulled off the mountain, thanks to HFD, and he turns out to be the one that called DLNR to get somebody out there at night to get the lock fixed so that our ride, Amber’s husband who drove up the road to pick us up in the middle of the night. And lastly, Aileen who waited patiently for us well after midnight at the bottom of the gate with food and drinks and took us back to our vehicle. Many thanks to everybody that was part of the group and the support that we got during the weekend.

Photos taken by Amber Fonte, Doug Ross, Thomas Barrett, 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.

We spent a camping weekend in the mountain and defied the weather predictions of rain all weekend.

Poamoho Trailhead

Thanks to Renato for picking Alexis, Quan, Tessa and myself up and shuttling us to the Poamoho trail. He also managed to finally break in his 4×4 on the jeep road and get a taste of what’s it like to carry a heavy backpack.

Poamoho Trail

Passing the halfway mark, thankful that we no longer have to worry about cannibals. Just have to read about them.

Poamoho Trail

Headed into the gully where we soon passed two other kids who had spent the night at the cabin and were making their exit down the trail we had just come up from.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ grassy summit with some of the best views on the island.

Poamoho Trail

Leaving the summit for the boardwalk.

Poamoho Cabin

We filtered water to stock up our water supplies, signed the log book and poked around the cabin. Clean as a whistle.

Poamoho Cabin

I think not many hikers know you can reserve this cabin in advance. But I’m not sure how that would play out in real life. Would a group that had no reservations but were already staying in the cabin vacate for an arriving group with reservations? We had no reservations so we took a group photo and shoved off.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Making our way towards the man-made notch in the mountains.

KST

The group crossing one of many meadows in the mountains.

KST

Hiking on the trail that was blasted and dug out the side of the cliffs back in the 1930s.

Pauao Junction

Looking down at the ridge that drops down into Kahana Valley.

KST

Alexis staying hydrated on the trail. A good practice that would result in running low on H20 later in the day.

KST

Looking back at the lush and verdant valleys separated by multiple peaks.

KST

Weather forecast had shown a 40% chance of rain today. The KST weather in the mountains is always unpredictable and rewarding at the same time it seems.

KST

Tessa petting the last known specimen of the Ko’olau Goose. Looking rather long in the tooth.

KST

Background view of the valleys with the three peaks of Kualoa, Manamana and Ohulehule.

KST

Leaving the fence line and taking the lower trail.

Schofield-Waikane Summit

Quan picked up a leaf hitchhiker that stayed with her for some time. I think she is taking the green movement a bit too seriously.

Schofield-Waikane Summit

Panoramic view of the mostly undeveloped valleys from the 2,360′ summit.

KST

Heading towards the split in the trail that was visibly etched into the mountains.

Waikane-Waiahole Junction

Going up the higher trail to stay in the mountains. Taking the lower trail will descend down into Waikane valley.

KST

Traversing over the well-trodden landslide.

KST

Contouring on the Leeward side as we rounded hill after hill.

KST

Taking a break in the mountains. Miles away from civilization. Many miles.

KST

Resuming our contouring below the ridges. Are we there yet?

KST

Hiking by the city lights.

KST

Following the fence line down as it dropped us into the valley for the night.

Tree of Life Campsite

We set up camp in the dark on the grassy slope and ate our dinner in compartmentalized solitude.

Tree of Life Campsite

The bee that proved science wrong, as it hung outside her tent all night after being swatted by Alexis. Science claims that insects do not possess such high order intelligence to harbor anger or vengeance. I guess this bee was literally just dying to prove that theory wrong.

Schofield-Waikane Campsite

Meanwhile, a couple clicks over, Chris had finished work and ran up the Schofield Waikane trail to camp at the summit for the night.

Tree of Life Campsite

Day 2
Catching the cloudy sunrise the next day from our campsite.

Tree of Life Campsite

Tessa standing in front of the horizontal leaning sugi pine tree that seems to be slowly creeping up the hill.

Tree of Life Campsite

Some wanted coffee for breakfast. No water. No coffee. Time to break down camp and take our leave.

Tree of Life Campsite

Climbing out of the valley to regain the trail.

KST

Looking out towards the other and older mountain range of Waianae.

KST

One of our last of multiple fence crossings on the trail.

KST

Hugging the uluhe carpeted mountain as we made our way on the trail.

KST

Picking our way through the trail riddled with false holes and shin and ankle high branches and roots.

KST

When you got to drink, you got to drink. Can you filter water from the leaves?

KST

Arriving at the notch that marked our descent down into the grove of pine trees.

KST

Looking back at Quan and Tessa at the notch.

KST

Walking through the grove of Japanese sugi pine trees under the shadow of Waiahole summit.

Camp Rusty

Taking a break at the former site of Kipapa Cabin.

KST

Climbing our way out of the grove of pine trees.

Kipapa Summit

Where the KST becomes the KSRT.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Chris the goat, soon caught up with the group on the trail.

KSRT

We left the mountain meandering behind us, as it was just straight up hiking on top of the mountains from this point on.

Waiahole Middle

Chris expressing his feelings about this windward ridge that we had climbed over five years ago.

KSRT

The walking wounded.

KSRT

Looking down at another cabin off the KST sitting on a spur ridge. Hmmm.

KSRT

The trail soon turned into a cardio rollercoaster. Big hills. Up and down. Repeat until finished.

KSRT

Chris going through the gate that leads to the saddle known as Waiawa Gap.

Waiawa Gap

Dropping down into the saddle.

Waiawa Gap

Climbing our way out of the low point. No bees reported.

KSRT

Hills. Let’s take a break. Drink water. Don’t tell me what to do.

KSRT

More hills.

KSRT

Looking down at a broken spectre, a natural phenomenon that happens when one is looking down from a misty ridge with the sun behind their back.

KSRT

Quan pointing to our water filling station in the mountains.

KSRT

Alexis passing through the tree tunnel that leads down to the creek.

The Corner

For some of us, reaching the water source couldn’t have come soon enough.

The Corner

The rest of us making our way towards the upper creek, one soggy step at a time.

The Corner

Replenishing our water stocks. With increased water comes increased weight.

The Corner

What’s for lunch? Saimin with chicken is what’s for lunch.

The Corner

Sun worshippers.

The Corner

Climbing out of the creek bed with water in our tummies and on our backs.

KSRT

Hiking up and around what can be a confusing junction when socked in. Not so much today.

KSRT

Tessa hanging a shaka towards the cloud frosted peaks and valleys we had left behind.

KSRT

Yes, I know I can take my own shadow picture. But I would like you to take it. Aye aye Captain.

KSRT

Chris catching a clear and cloudy view of the corner.

KSRT

Tree hugger.

Kaneohe Bay

Looking out towards the largest sheltered body of water in the islands.

KSRT

Hiking towards our last summit of the weekend.

KSRT

Heading to the summit. That is the summit. I don’t care what you say.

KSRT

Scrambling the last few hundred feet to the top.

Manana Summit

A rather dramatic expression of how we all felt after arriving at the 2,660′ summit that marked the end of our KST weekend traverse.

Manana Summit

Our last group photo after somebody regained their composure from overacting.

Manana Trail

Catching the golden hour as we left the massive knob.

Manana Trail

Shedding light on our way down the 5.5 mile ridge trail.

Manana Trail

Looking back at the mountains as the moon began its rise towards the heavens.

Manana Trail

The arachnid burning the midnight oil as it instinctually weaved its geometric web, that is considered a engineering marvel that serves as its home and a food trap.

Manana Trail

A big thanks to Art who had hiked up the trail to meet us with pork hash and assorted drinks. I think I want a soda. Oh, was I thinking out loud?

Manana Trail

Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey. Don’t hit your head on the way down from the bench.

Manana Trail

Looking up towards a moon ring, which is another atmospheric optical phenomenon that is formed by moonlight being refracted from suspended ice crystals. There was a planet in the orbit of the moon ring, not sure if it was Mars or Venus. I flunked astronomy.

All pau

We came down to the trailhead in the dead of night with no chance encounter with the resident homeless who supposedly likes to get too close for comfort.

GPS Tracks

Our weekend hiking covered almost 17 miles through the country country of the Northern KST with fun company.

Post hike meal was at the Pearl City Drive-Thru McDonald’s. That’s what happens when you finish late. You can’t be picky about your food choices.

Photos taken by Alexis Catarina, Chris Bautista, 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.

I spent the weekend in the mountains celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

Keaiwa Heiau State Recreations Area

Day 1

Walking under the moonlight with nothing but feral cats and nothing else I hope to keep me company. Thanks to Marilyn for dropping me off.

Interstate H-3

Leaving the loop trail as I caught a glimpse of the interstate highway that is not connected to other states but built to the same standards.

Pu’u Kawipo’o

This was pretty much my last view at the 2,441′ summit as I continued my climb towards the top of the ridge line.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Looking back at the power-line tower that I contoured to get back on the ridge.

Aiea Summit

Cloudy and rainy at the 2,805′ summit. Just another day in the Ko’olau Mountains.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

I followed the HECO (local utility) ropes down the knee high overgrowth and muddy trail as I approached the second power line tower.

KSRT

The constant drizzle and moisture laden clouds kept the peaks and dips of the ridge sufficiently saturated.

Waimalu Meadows

Descending down towards the largest meadow on the Ko’olau Mountains where brisk winds and rain kept my stay short.

Waimalu Meadows

Climbing out of the meadow as I looked back at the native palm trees dotting the landscape.

KSRT

The strong winds intermittently punched through the clouds to tantalize me with Windward views.

Waimano Summit

Dropped down to the 2,160′ summit in the saddle and left my John Hancock in the bauble of a log.

KSRT

Climbing up to the fence line to find that there is now a gate that makes it easier to navigate in socked in conditions.

Eleao Meadows

Somebody must have plucked one of these dew kissed crimson flowers from an ohia tree. In Hawaiian mythology, Ohia (tree) and Lehua (flower) were two lovers who were turned into local flora by a jealous Pele (Goddess of Fire). It is said that if you pick the flower from the tree, then the skies will be filled with rain, much like today.

Manana Summit

Reaching the 2,660′ knob where my stay was cut short due to nothing to write home about.

Corner

Scooping up water in the bug and foam filled creek.

KSRT

The weather finally started to break apart as I approached the Waiawa Gap.

Camp Ko’olau

I had my fill of the rainy ridge conditions and decided to make camp at the flattest spot I could find on the ridge.

Waiawa Gap

Day 2

The next day was quite a change from yesterday. The sun was out and the clouds were high in the sky. Picture perfect.

Waiawa Gap

Dropping down through the grove of Loulu palm trees.

Waiawa Gap

Looking towards the Waianae Mountains in the middle of the field of flowers that were swarming with bees.

KSRT

Enjoying the views after I lost my brand new phone on the trail which I luckily recovered and then the wind plucked the cap off my head. Needless to say, my enthusiasm to continue the hike had been considerably dampened.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Passing the summit of Kipapa as I left behind the ridge trail.

Camp Rusty

Relaxing in the middle of the stand of Japanese Sugi pine trees.

KST

Pushing my way through the knee to shoulder high overgrowth on the trail.

Tree of Life

Approaching the backside of the horizontal leaning Japanese Sugi.

Tree of Life

Enjoying an uncommonly clear day at this spot.

KST

Pulling myself up the fence line with Windward background views.

KST

Looking back at the trail system that contours it way through the mountains.

KST

The peaks of Manana, Ohulehule and Kanehoalani in the distance.

KST

Shadow hiker.

Schofield-Waikane Summit

The unmatched 2,360′ summit view of the valleys of Kahana, Ka’a’awa, Hakipu’u and Waikane.

Pauao Junction

Looking down into the ridge that drops down into Kahana Valley.

KST

Traversing the trail that was blasted out of the side of the mountains back in the 1930s.

KST

One of multiple gates on the trail meant to keep out the foraging pigs.

Poamoho Cabin

I was expecting solitude at the oldest cabin on the KST and instead found two hikers that I knew and two others along with their dogs. Quite a pleasant surprise.

Poamoho Cabin

Day 3

Cabin companions. We soon all went our separate ways as Dana and Shari were going down Schofield-Waikane and Jon and Marissa were going down Pauao trail. I decided to not continue towards Laie and took the easy way down after Jon gave me the combination to the gate.

KST

Hiking over the cloud soaked boardwalk.

Cline Memorial

I bypassed the wind swept and socked in 2,520′ summit and hurried down the mud soaked trail.

Poamoho Trail

HTMC and other parties did a remarkable job in repairing the landslide ravaged trail.

Poamoho Road

Shout out to Andy for picking me up on the road like the dirty hitchhiker that I was.

All pau

The end of my hike did not reach the planned destination but it was time still well spent in the mountains. Photo by Andreas Wiegand.

GPS Tracks

My three day hike covered almost 28 miles through the most cardio intensive and scenic stretch of the Ko’olau Mountains. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse, where we came too early for the prime rib.

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.