We took a break from the KST and went hiking on the West side today. West side is the best side.

Trailhead

Thanks to Janell and Shirley for dropping Anne, Art, Chris, Katie, Lilyn, Tessa and myself off in Waianae Valley.

Waianae Valley

Luckily we only had to walk a short distance up the paved road before plunging into the forest.

Waianae Valley

Enjoying the wide open service road while we can.

Dog Shit Luck

Lilyn decided she needed extra luck for the climb ahead of us and put her backpack down in dog poop. The smell that keeps on giving. We kept our distance, before social distancing became popular.

Waianae Valley

Scrambling up and over through overgrowth and blowdowns. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hobb’s Ridge

The ridge started off broad and at a slight grade, enough to get our lungs pumping.

Hobb’s Ridge

Art staying low in the agave plants that dominated the lower slopes of the ridge.

Hobb’s Ridge

No switchbacks here, just an honest straight up climb.

Hobb’s Ridge

Our quadriceps were getting a good workout today. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Hobb’s Ridge

Looking back at all the elevation we had gained through sweat, sweat and sweat.

Hobb’s Ridge

The unrelenting climb soon became marked with faded webbing strewn on the ridge that narrowed and became slightly steeper to the top. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

I can’t speak for the others, but I was never so glad to see a fence line in the mountains as I was today.

WST

Group picture left to right: Lilyn, Art, Tessa, Katie, myself, Anne and Chris.

WST

Bushwhacking our way through a tangled mix of thorny thimbleberry vines, trees and overgrowth. Photo by Chris Bautista.

WST

It was puncture city what with us sandwiched between the thimbleberry bushes and the sharp edged fence line.

WST

Following the fence line as it passed through a patch of dry grass. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Tessa at one of the mossy spots that contoured around the fence line and gave us a break from the thorns in our side. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hawaiian Mint

The endemic plant that takes the mint out of mint. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Leaving behind our painful session of mountain acupuncture. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Some were more convincing than others.

WST

Are we climbing that? Photo by Art Young.

Swing of Life

Swinging myself over the small gap between the boulders. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Swing of Life

Katie’s turn.

Swing of Life

Lilyn stretching before her turn at the swing. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Sitting Stones

Tessa climbing up the moss covered boulders. Photo by Art Young.

Sitting Stones

Chris pulling himself up.

Sitting Stones

Art looking for his next handhold. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ka’ala Bog

We soon found ourselves skirting the massive bog that sits on top of the highest point on the island.

Ka’ala Bog

Lilyn squeezing herself between the fence and the vegetation. At least it wasn’t more thimbleberry vines. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Oahu Tree Snail

Is this one of the 13 surviving species?

Ka’ala Bog

Shaking hands with Groot’s relative.

Ka’ala Bog

Enjoying the views as we broke out of the bog. Photo by Art Young.

Bolohead Ridge

Sliding our way down the uluhe infested ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Bolohead Ridge

Katie went feet first, Lilyn went head over heels and Art decided to climb his way down. It pays to be last sometimes.

Bolohead Ridge

Making our way down the grassy ridge line that masked the loose and rocky under footing. Photo by Art Young.

Butt Grab Ridge

Gender segregation in the mountains. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Bolohead Ridge

Art making his way down to the lunch spot. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bolohead Ridge

Lunch time. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Bolohead Ridge

Nap time. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Bolohead Ridge

Dropping down the grassy ridge line. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Bolohead

Our first view of the rock face named by Waianae Steve due to the appearance of a bald head. Looks like its been taking rogaine as of late. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Bolohead Ridge

Chris with a commanding view of the West side. Photo by Art Young.

Bolohead Ridge

Approaching Bolohead. The bark is worse than the bite. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bolohead Ridge

Anne and Lilyn waiting their turn to climb up Bolohead.

Bolohead Ridge

Katie climbing up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Bolohead Ridge

Art following Tessa and Lilyn on the way up. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Bolohead Ridge

Making my way down the front side. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bolohead Ridge

Katie raining rocks on the unfortunate individual standing below her.

Bolohead Ridge

Anne following the short section of fence that straddled the two main rock obstacles on the ridge line.

Bolohead Ridge

Silhouetted hikers against the valley. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Bolohead Ridge

Climbing down the second rock face on the ridge line. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bolohead Ridge

The rest of the group making their way down the rock face.

Bolohead Ridge

Walking along the short stretch of narrow dike. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bolohead Ridge

The narrow ridge soon widened to sidewalk proportions.

Bolohead Ridge

Tessa overlooking the Leeward valleys. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waianae Valley

Dropping off the ridge and onto the valley floor.

Waianae Valley

We took several twists and turns on the trails as we followed the yellow bottle caps on our way out.

All pau

As we pushed our way through the pesky and itchy California grass, we were treated to the rare blood moon that peeked out and became brighter and larger as the hike dragged on.

GPS Tracks

Thanks to Janell and Shirley for picking us up in the valley of the barking dogs after finishing our 6.37 mile hike. At least they were not attacking dogs. Amazing adventure with a fun crew and everybody had dozens of puncture wounds as their hike souvenirs.

Post Hike Meal

We met up with Dale, Janell, Jasmin, Quan, Sally and Somphet at The Beach House by 604 where we helped celebrate Aida’s birthday, where the wait for the steak was so long you had to bag it for take out.

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.