Chris and Cisco met up with me in the central valley with plans to hike over and down into the valley of coral dived for or something close to that. We ended up getting something close to that.

Trailhead

Making our way down the heavily rooted hill covered with fallen leaves.

Wahiawa Hills

Going down one of multiple junctions scattered throughout the forest. Helps to know your way.

North Fork Kaukonahua Stream

Chris decided to stay dry for now and get wet later. I was just plain lazy to take my shoes off for the stream crossing. Embrace the wetness. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Wahiawa Hills

Squishing our way back up the hills of Wahiawa.

Ewa Reserve

Enjoying the clouds settling in the forested canopy.

Wahiawa Hills

Our quadriceps were getting a good workout this morning.

Wahiawa Hills

Breaking out into the flat and open grassy fields which afforded our legs and lungs a break.

Poamoho Hunting Area

Cisco using his imagination to add to the bullet riddled sign. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Wahiawa Hills

Pushing our way through the swath of thick, tangled uluhe ferns.

Army fencing

Coming soon to a Ko’olau Summit Trail near you. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Poamoho Road

Chris making his own swing in the mountains.

Poamoho Road

Making our way up the muddy road sans a 4×4 jeep, we let our feet do the walking.

Poamoho Trail

Stepping foot onto one of the shortest routes to the Ko’olau Summit. Not counting the jeep road. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Poamoho Trail

Making our way up the graded and muddy trail.

Poamoho Trail

Do you smell swine? No, but we did smell loads of dog poop all over the trail.

Poamoho Trail

Heading into the gulch as the rain picked up its pace.

Poamoho Summit

The summit was a total whiteout with zero visibility. We sat hunkered below the Cline Memorial, sheltered from the biting wind but not the sleeting rain. Debating what to do, what do we see? Another hiker making his way up to the summit, soaked to his wire rim glasses. His name was Eric and he was hiking down towards the Schofield-Waikane Trail.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Forecasts of lightning throughout the rest of the day persuaded us to ditch going down the storied Pig God trail and instead we struck out towards the South to catch up with Eric.

KST

The rain continued to keep our bodies and the ground soundly saturated as we decided to bypass the cabin as being temporarily dry was worse than being constantly wet.

Waterfall

Chris taking a shower ahead of schedule. A cold one at that. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Pauao Junction

Passing the newly posted green sign marker. A much needed improvement over the brown and weathered sign that many failed to notice.

KST

Chris with a rare sighting of the Ko’olau Branta Bryophyta. Seen only during the frequent rain showers that wash over the mountains, forcing them to come out from their nesting grounds in the uki grass to hunt for handouts from hikers.

Random Trail Meetings

Somebody was not hiking alone anymore. Still no sign of Eric.

Schofield-Waikane Junction

Group photo at the 2,360′ summit.

S-W Trail

Time to head down and hopefully leave the rain and clouds behind us.

S-W Trail

HTMC had just recently cleared the trail last weekend and it showed.

Droning

The weather let up for a spell, so I decided to make use of the drone that I had been carrying all day.

S-W Trail

Aerial view of “Country so wild it’s hard to believe you’re on populous Oahu.” (Stuart Ball)

S-W Trail

Leaving the fence line behind us.

S-W Trail

Boning up on our scant knowledge of the trail.

S-W Trail

Trying to see the snake for the tree?

S-W Trail

Climbing out of the trail.

Trailhead

Getting the most out of my drone until a light drizzle canceled further flights.

East Range

Trading the cleared trail for the textured road that had our dogs barking. Maybe they were whimpering?

East Range

Wondering whatever happened to Eric on our way down. One of the unanswered questions of our day.

All pau

Heading back to the cars after our 16.3 mile hike through rain, clouds and sunshine all thrown together in the mountains. Post hike meal at Popeye’s. Love that chicken. Photo by Chris Bautista.

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.

The mountains were calling. The weather was close to picture perfect. We must go hiking.

Poamoho Road

Permit and 4×4 ride in hand, I met up with Agnes, Chris, Glenn and Ryan in Wahiawa. Shout out to Zack for picking us up and driving up the road. Mini-van would not have cut it.

Poamoho Road

Enjoying the bumpy ride and fresh air. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Trailhead

Group photo left to right: Ryan, Glenn, myself, Chris and Agnes.

Poamoho Trail

The group making their way on the mostly graded trail. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Trail

Looking down into Helemano Stream?

Poamoho Trail

We are here. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Poamoho Trail

Hiking into unmaintained territory. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Trail

Following the fence. A more and more common theme hiking in the mountains as of late. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Trail

Ryan passing over the landslide area.

Poamoho Trail

Scenic view. One of many more to come. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Trail

Heading into a small gulch. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Trail

Stream crossing and jumping.

Poamoho Trail

Ryan and Glenn approaching the Clines Memorial.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at one of the best summit views on the island.

Poamoho Summit

Jurassic.

Poamoho Summit

Fun with air bag …

Poamoho Summit

… and umbrella. Props supplied by Agnes. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KSRT

Fun and games were over. Time to head to the cabin.

KSRT

Cabin spotted. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KSRT

Ryan soaking in the views. Jurassic.

Poamoho Cabin

The cabin, built in 1998, is still holding up remarkably well. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Cabin

Lunch time, straight from OCCC. Shoyu chicken, hard boiled eggs and rice. Salamat. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Poamoho Cabin

Cabin life. Photos by Agnes Bryant and Chris Bautista.

KST

We took our leave of the cabin as another group of hikers, two legged and four legged, arrived at the fence. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Back on the fence line. Not for long.

KST

Chris on the Ko’olau Summit Trail. It was so blue blue.

KSRT

Heading towards the notch.

KST

We all had to stop every now and then on the trail and take home photographic memories. It was so clear.

KST

Ryan at the last fence gate on the KST. For now.

KST

Panoramic view. Just stunning scenery all around.

KST

Chris and Glenn making their way on the trail.

KST

Agnes “slow my butt” Bryant in the front of the pack.

KST

Glenn and Agnes brushing past a clump of loulu palm trees.

Pauao Ridge Junction

Long ungraded five mile trail down into Kahana Valley.

KST

The trail that was dynamited and dug out by the Civilian Conservations Corps (CCC) back in the 1930s.

KST

Agnes and Glenn making their way up and over the landslide section of the trail.

KST

Don’t look back. Think we picked up a hitch hiker.

KST

I’m not even on Facebook. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Ryan working out a cramp or practicing his kung fu kick. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

KST

Ryan closing the distance to the junction.

Junction

Group photo at the Schofield-Waikane Junction.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

Chris leaving behind the scenic Windward views. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

False summit with stunning views of the entire Waianae Mountain Range.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

Ryan and Glenn making their way down the six mile trail …

Schofield-Waikane Trail

… which was recently cleared by the HTMC trail clearing crew.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

Following the fence line down while dodging errant pick axes.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

Camp life. Pounding fence stakes is hard work. Just ask Ryan.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

Stump hopper.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

The trail switched to the right …

Schofield-Waikane Trail

… and then back to the left.

Stream Junction

What stream? Let’s keep moving. We have water.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

Ryan going up the steps and out to …

Trailhead

… the trail sign. Group photo by Agnes Bryant.

Jeep road

Auto pilot going down the numbing road. One foot in front of the other. Repeat. Photo by Agnes Bryant.

Jeep road

What birds?

Jeep road

Ryan transitioning from shoes to slippers. Why didn’t we think of that? Group photo by Agnes Bryant.

East Range

Let’s double time it out of here.

All pau

The sun was still out. Our cars were still where we left them. Life was good.

GPS Tracks

Our superbly stunning hike covered 12.51 miles through spectacular scenery. Great time with good friends. Post hike meal at Pho King. I should have had the phoking pho instead.

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.

I found myself back in the rolling hills of Wahiawa with Gen, Jose, Katy, Matt and Rob.

Cardio Hill

Jose going down the steep tree rooted lined hill.

Stream crossing

Matt looking back at our first little stream crossing. No tubing here.

Going down

Gen going down one of the steep ridges.

Kaukonahua Stream

Gen and Matt crossing the longest stream in the islands. I heard it’s great for tubing when the stream levels are high enough.

Going up

Eucalyptus trees lined many of the ridges, throwing off their distinctive minty pine smell.

Hills for days

They don’t call this place Wahiawa Hills for nothing.

Well done

A brush fire back in August had scorched over 500 acres before finally being extinguished. Click here for the larger image.

Traveler’s Palms

Flowering plants masquerading as trees marked a road that was not our path. We picked up the trail in the bushes and continued our merry way.

Rolling hills

The vast expanse of the Ewa Forest Reserve.

Coming down

Gen coming down one of the steep hills. Luckily the hills were amply rooted with sturdy trees.

Stream crossing

Gen trying not to get her feet wet on our last stream crossing.

Going up

I lost count of all the hills that we went up and down.

Good morning

Sun beams in the forest. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Lost in the woods

You guys are where? Hello? The many twists and turns and multiple hills of this area have given many hikers pause and even swallowed one without a trace. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Mountain Yoga

We had a couple hours to kill since half of the crew went “exploring”, so Gen and Matt practiced their yoga skills.

Reunited

Many intermittent calls, dropped calls, failed texts and hoarse hollering finally guided the rest of the crew back to us.

Hmmm

What are we looking for? Oh yeah, koa seeds.

Poamoho Hunting Area

Group photo left to right: Katy, Rob, myself, Matt, Gen and Jose.

Flagpole

Matt displaying his upper body strength. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Cleared

HTMC had recently cleared the trail, so we thought it would be prudent to take advantage of it before the uluhe ferns reclaimed it back to Mother Nature.

West side

Looking out at the Waianae Mountain Range, Helemano and Wahiawa.

Open fields

The hills eventually gave way to open flat fields of flowing weeds.

Trail meets road

We left the trail and hopped over the chain onto Poamoho road. Where’s a 4×4 truck when you need one?

Poamoho road

That’s a huge koa tree. Wait. My bad. It’s just a big tree.

4×4 trucks

Oh there they are!

Poamoho trailhead

Group photo at the trailhead.

Poamoho trail

Just in case you missed it.

Barricade

Group photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Graded trail

Hiking on a state sanctioned trail. Felt odd.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Hazard

Don’t try this on a hike.

Meeting

We bumped into Ryan Chang and Katie Ersbak and some politicians I’ve never voted for.

Hello

Looking back at the trail cut into the side of the mountain. Oh and there’s Matt.

End of maintained trail

Rough trails ahead. Not really. There are two hikers in this photo. Really.

Hunter check in station

Where is the hiker check in station?

Cline memorial

The clouds had beat us to the summit. Lost views of Kahana and Punalu’u Valleys.

Staring into the sun

The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades. Or close my eyes.

Poamoho summit

Let’s all pretend there is a view behind us at the 2,520′ summit.

Follow the fence

We pushed onto the cabin as once again we got robbed of the best views on the island.

Poamoho cabin

The cabin was unlocked. I heard that the workers sometimes lock the cabin to protect their personal belongings. Luckily no work was being done on the mountain today.

Pumping

Jose and Matt filtering the rain water for the rest of the crew that needed to replenish their camelbaks before resuming our hike.

Trail

Hiking on the KST. Wish we had a view.

Cloudy trail

Still wishing. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Loulou Palms

Katy and Rob passing through a clump of the only native palm trees to Hawaii.

Trail

Gave up wishing.

Schofield Waikane Junction

Group photo at the junction.

Schofield-Waikane Trail

Time to beat a path down the mountain or have the mountain beat us up for the next seven miles.

A long trail

Schofield-Waikane or Wahiawa trail is a long rugged hike through seemingly untamed country.

Rain

What would a hike in the mountains be without rain? Exactly.

Ridges for days

We still had quite a way to hike. Nothing but open country. The smell of tiger balm also started to decorate the air.

Trail

The trail for the most part contoured on the Windward side below the ridgeline.

City lights

Phhhttt. Hear that? Must be a wild pig. Those sounds would follow us to the end. Inside joke.

Trailhead

All pau.

Zzzzzzz

Not quite. We still had to walk out a stretch of military jeep roads to get out. And wake somebody up that was knocked out cold. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Deep thoughts

Facebook status check. Korean chicken. Chocolate milkshake. Shower. Sleep. We eventually roused ourselves from a semi-stupor and slumber and made our way out of the East Range, some through a gate and others over barbed wire.

GPS Tracks

The looping hike took us through the rolling hills of Wahiawa, the KST and down Schofield Waikane trail that covered 17.09 miles. Another grinder hike with a great crew. Major props to Katy for pushing through the pain to finish the trail. Post hike meal at Zippys. Miss my prime rib and clam chowder.