We still had daylight to burn from our last hike, so we drove to Manoa in search of a waterfall. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Seven Bridges Trail

My third visit to this trail. Still can’t find all seven bridges. Forward. Backward. Circle.

99 bottles of beer

Waited for Jasmin at this makeshift recycling center. Rumours circulated that she overslept in a cage.

High road

Took the left fork to stay on trail.

Bridge #2

We spaced ourselves apart so that we didn’t exceed the weight limit.

Hang left

Took the left junction that branched off the main trail to Waiakeakua Falls.

Hello?

Jasmin and Jose outside the first abandoned house.

For Sale

This fixer upper is reputedly haunted or just needs a lot of TLC. Fruit trees included.

Small waterfall

Also known as Bamboo Waterfall.

Lush forest

The valley was thick with endemic and introduced flora.

Naniuapo stream

Clouds of mosquitoes drifted from the stream towards our increased carbon dioxide output. Feeding time.

Banyan tree

To climb or not to climb.

50 Shades of Hiking – Part 2

I’m not sure who enjoyed it more. Jasmin or the tree.

Tight squeeze

Thessa making her way through the downed trees that blocked the trail.

Naniuapo falls

Group photo at the trickling waterfall left to right: Thessa, myself, Jose and Jasmin. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Bamboo forest

Going back, we discovered an easier return trail on the opposite side of the stream.

Split tree

We came across a huge tree that had split in half and fallen to the ground, forming a tree arch and a photo opportunity. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Matching car

Thessa, Jasmin and Jose next to an abandoned car. Calling Counting Cars.

Noni fruit

Tastes bad. Good for you? Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Haunted house?

Let’s try to look scared this time. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

All pau

The group making their way out.

GPS Tracks

The short hike into Manoa valley was filled with fun times and good company. Post hike meal at Sanoya. Oxtail soup. Hold the ramen. Stuffed with gyoza.

I had always wanted to do a loop involving Waikeakua Falls, so Glenn and I tagged along with the Oahu Hiker’s group that was doing such a hike. Well, half of the hike.

Bridge #1

We met up with the group deep in Manoa Valley to start our hike.

Bridge #2

The trail is also known as the Seven Bridges Road.

Manoa forest

Walking under canopy. The road soon split, where we took the left fork to stay on trail.

Bridge #3

Toby was waiting at the third bridge, as he had started earlier in the day to take pictures.

Bridge #4

There are stories that this trail is haunted by a banshee. Nothing heard. Keep moving.

Waiakeakua stream

Waiakeakua means water of the gods in Hawaiian.

Abandoned car

One of two cars slowly being swallowed by the forest. Maybe they ran out of gas?

Bamboo forest

The group making their way through the bamboo forest.

You guys coming?

The trail started to disappear amidst the heavy foliage and fallen trees, but we kept to the right and eventually made our way up a flight of cement stairs.

Queen’s bath

We soon came across this pool of water fed by a small waterfall known as Queen’s Bath. A couple of us partially climbed on the overhead pipe. We then picked up the trail again on the right of the stream at the top.

Bridge #5

This was the last bridge seen or counted. What happened to the other two?

Landslide

The group taking a break at a recent landslide.

Waterfall #1

Khym making his way up the first waterfall. Didn’t even get his feet wet.

Waterfall #2

Time to take the plunge. The water was over waist high and icy cold. Most of the group took the trail on the left to stay dry. Photo by Richardson Mike

Slippery rope

Glenn climbing up. Karen soon followed and gave everybody a scare when she lost her footing and was dangling from the rope. She eventually regained her footing and made her way up.

Waterfall #3

The tallest of the waterfalls at roughly 60′. Photo by Chris Hiona.

Up we go

Climbing up the waterfall with the help of several ropes that were anchored to the trees. Photo by Naomi Bruneau.

Made it!

Glenn making it to the top.

Looking down

We left the group behind as they stayed at the base of the waterfall and eventually turned around. Our group grew by one, as Khym decided to join us as we continued towards the Koolau Summit.

Leaving the streambed

We followed a faint trail to the right to make our way up the ridge. Going left will take you to Manoa Middle Ridge.

Uluhe trail

Fighting the uluhe to gain the summit.

Looking back

View of Manoa Valley. It was a nice clear day.

On the KSRT

Group photo at the top, left to right: Glenn, myself and Khym.

Windward view

Looking out towards Olomana. It was a super nice clear day.

Follow the slippers

We soon turned right and followed the spine of the Koolaus.

Mount Olympus

The summit of Mount Olympus or Awaawaloa was unusually cloud free, it’s actually the second peak in the picture.

Going up and down

We didn’t actually summit Olympus as we followed the KSRT and connected to the Waahila Ridge Trail.

Dirt slalom

Glenn doing a controlled slide down the dirt trail, while Khym took the middle rut down.

Kolowalu junction

We took the Kolowalu trail to loop back down into Manoa Valley.

Fallen tree

When a tree falls in the forest, you sit and stand on it.

Kolowalu trail

The trail eventually connected to the Puu Pia trail which was the way out.

Splash of color

Red ginger flower?

Walking out

We soon walked out onto Alani Drive where Glenn had staged his truck.

GPS Tracks

The loop that took us through rainforest, waterfalls and mountains covered 4.31 miles with good company all the way. Post hike meal was at Peppa’s Korean BBQ. Courtesy of Glenn. Never bet on hiking time!