Met up with Lilyn and Marilyn to boldly go to the two highest peaks on the island and down the path where many a (wo)man has gone before. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waianae Valley

Thanks to Leander for dropping us off deep in the valley. We also met up with Dale’s group and trudged up the much maligned service road. Light rain showers kept the temperature down and the grounds saturated.

BSA Shelter

All smiles as we started on the trail and took a group photo left to right: myself, Marilyn, Lilyn, Chongsuk, Dale, Almira and Jan.

Rush hour

Leaving the shelter, we met up with Kyle’s group. Ka’ala was the place to be on this Kamehameha Day holiday.

Ka’ala Trail

Crossing the dry streambed. The waterfalls were parched and thirsty.

Ka’ala Trail

Pushing up the slippery slope of carpeted wet leaves and rooted ground.

Tree huggers

Seeking shelter or shade. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Three Poles

I wouldn’t hike with you guys. Seriously! Other hikers were heard muttering in the drizzling rain “Let’s go hiking they said. They said it would be fun.” Heavy on the sarcasm.

Bolohead Ridge

Looking over to the next crumbly ridge that also leads to the highest mountain.

Ka’ala Trail

Pulling ourselves up the fenced ridgeline as the ascent got a tad steeper.

Ka’ala Trail

Climbing our way up and over the somewhat slick boulders.

Ka’ala Trail

Laddering my way up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ka’ala Trail

The girls climbing their way up the rock punctuated trail.

Boardwalk

Smack dab in an ancient Hawaiian rain forest that’s perched on top of the 4,025′ flat summit of Ka’ala. The native lobelia plants seemed to be in full bloom.

Ka’ala Bog

Treading our way carefully through what was once a fishpond, according to some historical accounts.

Ka’ala Bog

The 1,100 acres of the Mount Ka’ala Natural Area Reserve encompasses 12 ecosystems, 208 native plant groups and 11 native animal groups. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ka’ala Bog

We soon found the fence and followed it out of the mist soaked plateau … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

… and descended our way down a sliver of a ridge into the clouds.

WST

Marilyn lowering herself down the mossy covered boulders. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Threading our way carefully through the tangled mess of ropes and webbing.

WST

Swinging to the other side of the rock. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Marilyn standing against the backdrop of jumbled boulders that we had contoured and climbed our way down. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Pushing our way through the thorny overgrowth as we picked up the fence line again. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Hobbs Junction

Break time!

WST

Switching from the ridge line to the fence line as we made our way across the rugged terrain. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Marilyn climbing down through a break in the fenced ridge line.

WST

Lowering ourselves down to a sliver of a ledge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Marilyn climbing up the crumbly rockface. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ms. Lonely

Lilyn standing in for Tessa. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Pu’u Kalena

Group photo at the second highest peak on the island that stands at 3,504′ tall. Robbed of the views again.

WST

Dropping down the ridgeline where the views of Lualualei and Waianae Valleys opened up.

WST

Marilyn standing on one of the few barren spots on the ridgeline. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek

We all had another bite to eat before hopping the fence and looking for a trail down. Any trail. Will the real trail stand up? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek

Looking for the next tree or grass to grab.

Star Trek

Following the trail that was marked with black webbing. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek

Lilyn coming down a steep section.

Star Trek

Contouring our way down the ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek

Group photo on the edge where you can’t see the depth for the trees.

Star Trek

Marilyn going down the steep pocket. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek

Walking under the heavily bowed trees.

Star Trek

Following the scattered green bottlecaps on our way out.

Star Trek

Crossing Honua Stream? on our way out.

Junction

Climbing up the small hill bordered with irritating California grass where we soon hit the junction shared by Hobbs.

Waianae Valley

Yay, it’s still daylight! Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

All pau

It was barely a hop, skip , and jump once we hit the service road before we found ourselves back at the parking lot. Mahalo to Leander for picking us back up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

GPS Tracks

Our hike to the roof of the Hawaiian skies and down the trail where no views existed covered a little over seven miles. Post hike meal at Coquito’s. Fun hike with good friends.

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.

I decided it was time for another visit to a place where no (wo)man has gone before.

Waianae Valley

Met up with Aida, Art and Lilyn in Schofield Barracks where Mia then shuttled us to the valley laced with helpful messages, revived terraces, abandoned cars and stray dogs.

Waianae Valley

It was not even a hop, before we were off the much maligned service road and into the bushes. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waianae Valley

Breaching the rock wall. Photo by Art Young.

Junction

Left for Hobbs and right for where many a (wo)man has gone before.

Waianae Valley

Contrary to popular belief, some parts of Waianae would give Manoa Valley a run for its money.

Waianae Valley

Are we following the yellow caps …

Star Trek Ridge

or the green ones? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek Ridge

The climb started to get a little steep, fortunately there was an abundance of trees scattered throughout the trail.

Star Trek Ridge

Aida scrambling up towards the rock wall. Photo by Art Young.

Star Trek Ridge

Art contouring his way around the rock wall. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Star Trek Ridge

You had to be a tree hugger on this hike, no matter your political leaning.

Star Trek Ridge

We missed it by that much. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek Ridge

Following the discolored webbing like so many breadcrumbs scattered throughout the forest. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek Ridge

Taking an unintended detour. Or as they call it, exploring our way around the mountains.

Star Trek Ridge

Lilyn taking in the views. What views? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Star Trek Ridge

Art climbing up a steep section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Star Trek Ridge

Lilyn practicing her three points of contact and one contact on a rope that has been out here 24/7 for who knows how long. Photo by Art Young.

Star Trek Ridge

The girls enjoying a brief respite from the steep climb as the trail leveled off for a bit. Photo by Art Young.

Star Trek Ridge

Back to climbing. No rest for the weary.

Star Trek Ridge

There must be a trail somewhere in this steep hill marked by crumbly under footing and tightly packed trees and dense undergrowth. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Terminus

Group photo on the Waianae Summit Trail, left to right: myself, Aida, Art and Lilyn.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

We followed the fence line that cut a corridor through the overgrowth. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Well, most of it.

WST

Some invasive species had the right idea on how to hike the trail and avoid all those pesky thorny bushes. If I could only be green and horny as well. Photo by Art Young.

WST

Trying to prevent my cap from blowing away. Resistance is futile. Something I would learn later on in the hike. Photo by Art Young.

WST

Enjoying an open area to soak in the expansive West side views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Pushing through more overgrowth with the fence as our guide.

WST

Walking on the windy ridge line. Photo by Art Young.

WST

Can you see the ridge for the clouds? Photo by Art Young.

SeXXXy Ridge

Wet and windy conditions prevented us from exhibiting foolish behavior on a narrow spur ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

Art climbing down to the rock dike where we soon crossed paths with two other hikers that had come up from Schofield Barracks.

WST

Taking a seat. A panoramic seat. Photo by Art Young.

WST

Diamond Head was nearby according to a certain nobody.

WST

Your pic … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

… for my pic. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Pu’u Kamakalii

Group photo at the 2,881′ terminus with the cloud capped summit of Kalena behind us.

Kolekole Trail

Descending down the narrow dike with winds whipping all around us. It was hard not to lose ones head. Let alone a cap.

Kolekole Trail

Art making his way down the dike.

Kolekole Trail

Lilyn climbing her way down. Photo by Art Young.

Geocache

Uh, shouldn’t the cache be a tad more difficult to find?

Kolekole Trail

Aida looking back at the narrow dike that we had just traversed. Something that she had done before. Shades of the forgetful hiker. Photo by Art Young.

Pu’u Ka’ilio

Somebody wanted to ride the crumbly Forbidden Mountain ride. One day. When you are old enough.

Kolekole Trail

Trading the treeline for the hardscrabble terrain.

Kolekole Trail

Aida preparing to slide and scoot her way down the hill. Photo by Art Young.

Kolekole Trail

Art walking down the eroded hill.

Kolekole Trail

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of UXO, I will fear nothing, for ignorance is bliss. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

Big shout out to Mia who picked us up ahead of schedule. That’s always a good thing.

GPS Tracks

Our Wild West hike covered a scant 3.6 miles through the rugged terrain of the Waianae Mountain Range. Somebody said they will boldly not go back here again. Post hike meal at Chicken in a Barrel. We should’ve stuck with the Louisiana style chicken. Closer and more flavorful.

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.

We decided to boldly go where many a (wo)man has gone before today. Thanks to Troy for the beta on this West side hike.

Trailhead

Mahalo to Jasmin and Tricia for dropping us off deep in the Waianae Valley to start our hike. Group photo by Tricia Adams, left to right: Chris, Daryl, Ferlino, Analyn, Lopaka, myself and Owen.

Ka’ala Road

Fortunately we only had to spend scant minutes on this much hated road before …

Trail

… plunging into the forest and hopping over a rock wall that runs through the woods.

Trail

Where the buffalo grass roam.

Junction

To the old country or where no man has gone before? Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Trail

Jumping over one of many manmade structures sprawled throughout the valley. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Junction

Why follow the arrows when you can make your own arrows? Bad choices lead to unnecessary “exploring.”

Green Mile

Following the color of nature as it switch backed us through the valley.

The Rock

Analyn taking her photo with this rather large boulder sitting in isolated silence of the woods. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Trail

Passing a rotting log decorated with ghost capped mushrooms.

Trail

The rest of the group scrambling up towards the ridge.

Trail

Our pic … Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Trail

… for your pic.

Trail

Climbing up the narrow corridor with the help of some weathered webbing.

Trail

Making our way up one at a time. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Trail

Group photo by Ferlino Carinio at the top of the picturesque cliff.

Trail

Who you calling an ape? Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trail

Making our way on the narrow shelf of a ledge. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Trail

The grade got significantly steeper as we had to rely on the trees to pull ourselves up the ridge.

Trail

We may have lost the trail as the ridge became ridiculously steep and the dirt was soft and shifting underneath our scrambling feet.

Trail

Owen coming up Star Trek II: What the hell am I doing here?

Waianae

Topping out on the spur ridge with commanding views of the valley.

Ridge

We can see the fence for the ridge!

Ridge

Looking back at the spur ridge that we threaded our way up through the thick clumps of trees.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Group photo at the fence line.

WST

Following the fence, a common and necessary eyesore in the mountains.

Waianae

Watching the rain showers off shore as it slowly migrated towards our way.

Wahiawa

Enjoying the dry spell on the eroded section of the ridge. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

WST

Hiking in the rain towards the second highest summit on the island.

Pu’u Kalena

The sun dance, devoid of any personal sacrifices, failed to produce the desired outcome. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu’u Kalena

Might as well sit down, as misery loves company and take our group photo at the 3,504′ summit.

WST

Waiting in the freezing rain for the rest of the group to make their way down the ridge.

WST

Lopaka traversing the notched ridge.

WST

Splash of color on the other side of the fence.

WST

Fighting and pushing our way through the uluhell overgrowth, with trailing thorny thimbleberry plants thrown in for good measure.

Junction

Leaving the exhausting overgrowth as we climbed over the fence to take our leave of the WST. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Hobbs Ridge

Analyn coming down from the 3,200′ junction.

Hobbs Ridge

Lopaka going down the initial steep descent of the ridge.

Hobbs Ridge

The ridge soon leveled off to a more “walkable” grade as the rain decided to stay with us for a little while longer.

Hobbs Ridge

Dwarfed and outnumbered by the huge and plentiful agave plants on the lower section of the ridge. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Hobbs Ridge

Walking down the easy part of the ridge.

All pau

We made our way back to the road just as darkness dropped over the valley where Jasmin and Tricia were waiting for us. Our hike through charted and possibly uncharted trails covered just shy of six miles. Great day with new and old friends on the West side. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse where the prime ribs are gone but the clam chowder cups are still full.

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.