We spent Father’s Day in the mountains from sunrise to sunset and then some. Anything for a good time, right?

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood to begin our early morning hike. Group photo left to right: Ferlino, Aida, Lilyn, myself, Art and Somphet. Photo by Jasmin Carinio.

Manana Trail

Pounding the pavement for a short time. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Manana Trail

Breaking out into the open flat section with the twinkling city lights behind us.

Manana Trail

No benchwarmers on this hike. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Do Not Disturb

Passing through the second set of camping tents that started by the picnic shelter.

Gentlemen first?

Aida opening the recently installed gate which roughly marks the halfway point on the trail. Photo by Art Young.

Manana Trail

Looking ahead as the ridge line undulated and narrowed to the top.

Manana Trail

Rear views. Currently better than the front views.

Manana Summit

Fleeting views at the 2,660′ knob. Time to move on.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Descending from the summit as we struck out towards the Northern parts of the island. The winds and clouds forced our attention on the ridge as we had no views to distract us.

KSRT

Navigating the tricky turn in the mountains.

The Corner

No stop at the creek for H20. We had enough liquid nourishment to last us for the day. Photo by Aida Gordon.

What would Art say?

What is going on here? Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Keeping our hands and feet on the hilly ridge line as we approached Waiawa Gap. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

Aida overlooking the Windward ridges, valleys and coastline. Photo by Somphet Chanhpheng.

Casper

Putting on my best white face in the mountains. There is no political correctness in the mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

Dropping down to the gloved one that still lives in the mountains. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiawa Gap

Enjoying the “country” views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

Sliding down the soggy hill.

Waiawa Gap

Hamming it up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

Climbing out of the gap. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiawa Gap

One shouldn’t play with sharp objects in the mountains. A lesson that would soon be unfortunately learned.

Waiawa Gap

Enjoying the views of the ridges holding the clouds at bay.

KSRT

What happens when you shop for your poncho at the dollar store. You need nature’s fan for an additional windbreak. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

Ferlino pushing up another hill. Hills after hills.

KSRT

Somphet savoring the rugged views. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Aida and Somphet coming up the ridge line with sweeping Windward views behind them. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

Ferlino and Lilyn pushing up one of the last hills. Photo by Art Young.

Kipapa Summit

The point where the hike transitioned from the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail to the Ko’olau Summit Trail. Tomato. Tomatoe. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Contouring to connect back to the ridge line. Photo by Somphet Chanhpheng.

Waiahole

Aida in the thick of the stand of Japanese Sugi Pine Trees. Photo by Art Young.

Waiahole

The group climbing up to the windswept and soggy summit after a brief stop at Camp Rusty.

Waiahole Summit

Somebody was eager to start bushwhacking. Go to town young man. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Taking a hike down memory lane. It wasn’t that long ago and it wasn’t particular happy ones. Some of us are gluttons for punishment I guess. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Enjoying the cloud soaked ridge before we hit the overgrowth.

Waiahole Uka

Back in the jungle. Time to start swinging. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Man down

When you swing inside instead of outside, you will need the medical attention of a retired nurse.

Waiahole Uka

All patched up and ready to resume hiking. Happy out patient.

Waiahole Uka

The views to the left of the ridge as the clouds cleared up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Working our way through the overgrowth clogged ridge line also made it painfully clear why I don’t use a hiking stick, they are more of a hindrance than a help. Sorry about losing your GoPro Ferlino! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

The views to the right of the ridge. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Aida coming down the tangled thicket of vines and uluhe ferns. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Art climbing down the first rope. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Lilyn coming down the second rope section. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waiahole Uka

Aida’s turn at climbing down the severely eroded section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Pushing our way through the thick carpet of uluhe ferns. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Uka

Ferlino in over his head. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

We slid off the uluhe clogged ridge and set foot in the valley of the lost or soon to be.

Waiahole Valley

Following the trail as we made good use of the dwindling daylight.

Waiahole Valley

We crossed the dam and then it was dam time to turn on our head lamps.

Waiahole Valley

Climbing over, under and through patches of large blow downs. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waiahole Valley

Finding our way out after wandering through the valley on an extended tour. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

Walking out the road after we were subjected to an earful and then some by a certain valley inhabitant. Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up on the darkened road. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

GPS Tracks

Our “never learn from the first time” hike covered 11.6 miles through hostile terrain in more ways than one with a great crew. Post hike meal at Casa Carinio where we were treated to the neighbor’s laulau. Yum. Not enough to induce a kanak attack, but good enough to whet the whistle.

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.

Note: It has been brought to my attention that the Kipapa Trail 1.5 miles mauka of Koa Ranch to the Ko’olau Summit lies within the boundaries of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge and is currently closed to the public, in order to protect some of the last intact native Hawaiian Forest, endangered species such as the pupu kani oe and many native Hawaiian Forest birds.

Chris and Ethan joined me today in tackling a Windward ridge. Thanks to Glenn for dropping us off in Waiahole Valley.

Waiahole Valley

Chris subbing for the mother hen and her clutch of eggs. Balut anybody?

Waiahole Valley

We soon left the ditch trail to climb up the flank of the ridge. Thanks to George Vuong for the beta on this trail.

Waiahole Valley

One of the few times we would see exposed rock on the ridge.

Waiahole Valley

Finding the least path of resistance as we made our way up. Least being relative.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

We made it to the ridge line with hours and hours of bushwhacking ahead of us.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Looking out towards Kahana Valley and her majestic mountains rising from the floor.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

The overgrowth seemed to increase proportionally as we gained elevation on the ridge. Or was that disproportionately?

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Contouring around a large boulder through the rough sea of uluhe ferns.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Climbing and weaving our way up through the trees.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Chris going down the first notch. Not that bad.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Right Ethan?

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Chris scampering up a particularly crumbly section that had a thin film of vegetation holding everything loosely together.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Straddling and scooting along a narrow dike section.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Back on more solid footing.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Looking up at the second and slightly higher second notch.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Can you see Chris for the overgrowth?

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Looking back at the final and most challenging notch that claimed my camera. Luckily, I was able to climb down and retrieve it on the side of the ridge. Photo by Chris.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

So close and yet so far away.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Burrowing through the constant and dense overgrowth.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Sweating in the views. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

When will this overgrowth end?

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Chris lay where he fell, showing that uluhe ferns can be somewhat comfortable and not just thorns in our sides.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Are we there yet?

Blackhawk sighting

Did somebody call Uber Copter?

Ko’olau Mountains

Looking out towards the undulating ridge line of the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Almost there. Almost fawking there.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

How do we feel about this ridge? No words needed. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Waiahole Middle Ridge

Group photo left to right: Ethan, myself and Chris. It took us about six hours to push our way through roughly 2,400′ of relentless ridge elevation gain. An exhausting experience none of us wants to repeat again.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail

We left the summit after our lunch, as the winds really picked up and the clouds blotted out our views.

KSRT

Looking back at the rough ride of a ridge.

Kipapa Summit

The original route down was Waiahole Uka, but we decided to pick duration rather than density in terms of trail choices.

Kipapa Trail

Hiking down in the clouds.

Kipapa Trail

Pine trees in the cloudy distance.

Kipapa Trail

Chris sitting in the tree … wait … we are missing somebody again.

Kipapa Trail

The winds relented and the clouds abated as we dropped lower in elevation on the ridge. Looking out towards the Waianae Mountains.

Kipapa Trail

Cabin life.

Kipapa Trail

Chris rounding the bend …

Kipapa Trail

… as we made our way down the wide open …

Kipapa Trail

… and graded trail.

Kipapa Trail

The pig and the hunter.

Kipapa Trail

One can “lose” oneself very easily in the raw and rugged beauty of the mountains.

Kipapa Trail

The wide open and cleared trail made short work of the six miles.

Pseudo Pueo

Whooo goes there?

Plantation

Walking the long road out and watching the sun beams washing over the Waianae Mountains. Not a bad way to end the day.

All pau

Our 15 mile hike started with brutal overgrowth and ended with the best maintained trail outside of the Na Ala Hele Trail System. Our Waiahole Death March hike, as Ethan called it, was with an amazing bushwhacking crew. Mahalo to Ben and Will for picking us up at Costco. No $1.50 hotdog and sodas for us. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. They need to turn up the temperature in the restaurant. Photo by Chris.

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.

The weekend was here. What better way to spend it than camping and hiking in the Ko’olaus in dripping rain. Or was that dripping sarcasm?

Aiea Loop Trail

Thanks to James for dropping Gen and myself off at the top of Aiea Heights. Saved us from possible car abuse over the weekend.

Aiea Ridge Trail

We soon stepped off the Aiea Loop Trail and onto the Aiea Ridge Trail.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Dressed for dry weather.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Our last view for the day.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Dressed for wet weather.

Camping

We stopped shy of the summit to set up camp. Time lapse by Genesaret Balladares.

Camping

Jose hustled up the trail after work to join us. Our view for the rest of the day. No star gazing for us. Just tent gazing. All night long.

Top of the morning

After a night of howling wind and pounding rain, we rolled out of our tents to take in the morning view. What a view.

KSRT

We passed the power lines on our way to the summit and turned left on the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

Lost & Found

Arnold! We found your tent. Maybe not. The search continues.

KSRT

The ridge thinned out in some sections.

KSRT

What goes down …

KSRT

… must go back up.

KSRT

We stayed on the Windward side of the ridge to remain on trail.

KSRT

Close to whiteout conditions.

KSRT

Gen staring into the abyss.

KSRT

Back to hiking.

KSRT

The cloud deck lifted somewhat to give us a view spanning from Kahalu’u Pond to Heeia Pond.

KSRT

The mountains were trying to keep the clouds at bay on the Leeward side.

KSRT

Making our way off the ridge.

KSRT

Somebody needed to roll some tobacco.

Waimalu Meadows

Heading down into the meadows. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Waimalu Meadows

Testing for leptospirosis.

Waimalu Meadows

Anybody see Kikaida? The search continues.

KSRT

Leaving the meadows behind us.

KSRT

Jose the Redeemer overlooking Waihe’e Valley.

KSRT

The trail was a roller coaster of a hike. Up. Down. Rinse. Repeat.

KSRT

Looking back towards Kaneohe Bay.

KSRT

Gen making her way down to Waimano Summit.

KSRT

Waihe’e Valley, shadowed by heavy cloud cover, bordered by Ulimakoli Ridge and Kalahaku Teeth.

Waimano Summit

Hanging ten. The summit where time turns from 15 minutes to 45 minutes.

Waimano Summit

The human windsock.

KSRT

We got back on the trail with dry tents but still soggy feet.

KSRT

Looking back at Kalahaku Teeth.

KSRT

Looking towards Eleao Windward or Ulimakoli Ridge.

KSRT

Leaving the clouds behind us.

KSRT

Spoke too soon.

KSRT

Gen soaking in the mountain views.

Eleao Meadows

Home for the night.

Rolling Eleao Meadows

Pitching our tents on pitched ground before the bitching weather came. Time lapse by Geneserat Balladares.

Eleao Meadows

Good morning. Got five bucks for the bus?

Eleao Meadows

Saying goodbye to the miniature meadows.

KSRT

Different day. Same trail. Better views. More smelly.

KSRT

We saw Chris and Khym hustling up to the Manana summit.

Manana Summit

Group photo, left to right: Khym, Gen, Jose, Chris and myself. They came bearing cheese rolls and snickers.

KSRT

Passing Ka’alaea Valley to our right.

KSRT

Leaving Manana summit behind us.

KSRT

We were not alone. The trails were heavily rooted by pigs.

KSRT

Chris preparing to mark a junction where the trail started to bend to the left.

Pakalolo Meadows

Semi-synchronized headstands.

KSRT

Hikers in the mist.

KSRT

Lobelia gaudichaudii and homo sapien.

KSRT

Group photo enjoying the views in the company of grumpy and princess. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

KSRT

A clear view of the Waianae Mountain Range.

KSRT

Looking out towards Pu’u Ohulehule and Kanehoalani.

Shaka Junction

A good place as any to eat our lunch and enjoy the views while we had them.

KSRT

Gen climbing down to the saddle.

Waiawa Gap

Group photo at the notch.

KSRT

Climbing out of the saddle.

KSRT

Clear on the Leeward side, cloudy on the Windward side.

KSRT

The rollercoaster ride got more pronounced.

KSRT

Somebody saw people. Not everybody has 20/5 vision.

KSRT

I’m glad this is the last hill. This is not the last hill? Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

KSRT

We ran into another group that was hiking from Kipapa to Manana. Group photo left to right: Justin, Becca, Hugh, myself, Jose, Gen, Chris and Khym.

Kipapa Summit

No birds sighted. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

KSRT

Almost there.

KSRT

The rusted remnants of Kipapa Cabin.

KSRT

Walking through a corridor of Sugi Pine Trees.

KSRT

Pushing up the last hill.

Waiahole Summit

Congratulations to Gen for finishing the Ko’olau Mountain Range. Full circle from our last hike in September. Too tired to do her 30 second victory dance. It was cold, wet and we were tired.

Waiahole Uka

Time to get off the mountain.

Waiahole Uka

All downhill from here.

Waiahole Uka

Some sections were steeper than others.

Waiahole Uka

Kapitan Davy Jones in the mountains.

Waiahole Uka

Khym wading through uluhell.

Waiahole Uka

Gen coming down off the ridge.

Kuolani-Waianu Trail

Our mountain trek was over. Just a walk in the valley left.

Waiahole Valley

Who needs webbing? We got branches.

Waiahole Valley

Picking our way through nature’s game of jenga. Hoped no trees would come loose and crashing down. Photo by Khym Ansagay,.

Waiahole Valley

Waiahole stream flowing down through the valley.

Waiahole Valley

Time to do that dance now?

All pau

Many thanks to Zack for picking up five ripe hikers from the valley and taking us home.

GPS Tracks

Our roller coasting weekend hike covered a little over 16 miles blessed with fantastic views towards the end and great company. Post hike meal was supposed to have been at Haleiwa Joe’s to have a thick slab of cow to celebrate Gen’s KST completion. Long lines and no beef lead us to Pahke’s for our family style dinner. Pass the rice.

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.

It was time to repay a visit to the Ko’olau Range. Gen, Jose and myself spent the Labor Day weekend cabin hiking in the mountains. Mahalo to Chris Hiona for dropping us off in Pupukea.

Pupukea

We shouldered our hefty backpacks, some were stuffed with the kitchen sink and the liquor store, as we started on the dirt road that passed the Boy Scout Camp and headed deep into the forest.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

The dirt road transitioned to a paved military road where we soon passed the Kaunala trailhead on our left that winds through the Pupukea Paumala Forest Reserve. Another hike for another day.

Off the beaten road

We left the road past mile marker 19 to begin our hike on the Pupukea trail. The road actually continues its way through the lower Ko’olau Range and ends at Helemano Military Reservation.

Black Junction

The “official” start of the KST trail. We decided to take a short jaunt to the lookout.

Summit Lookout

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

WST

Looking out towards the Waianae Range and the Kawailoa Wind Farm.

Hina

All feet on the Pupukea Summit. This is also supposed to be the junction for the old Kahuku trail.

Ocean View

Looking out towards Laie Point.

Slipper Junction

Jose plunging into one of the heavily overgrown sections on the trail.

Soggy

Ziploc bags and plastic containers are not foolproof nor waterproof over time.

Trail

Jose walking through knee high uluhe ferns and vegetation.

Laie bound

Just a couple more hours to the summit. Almost there. Flashbacks to another hike.

Trail

The trail opened up, giving us a brief respite from all the overgrowth.

Loulou Palms

Wading through waist high uluhe ferns and shrubs. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Country

Somewhere along this section, we missed the junction for the Maleakahana Trail. Another hike for another day.

Summit

The Laie summit.

Foxhole

Group photo at the 2,240′ summit.

Trail

The trail from the summit was initially defined and well trodden.

Meadow

We passed the summit of Kawailoa on our right as we crossed the bowl shaped depression. There’s also a nearby water source that Patrick Rorie showed us on our last hike in this area.

Mountain Yoga

Our first sign of the fence on the KST. It would keep us intermittent company through the following days.

Muddy shoes

Time to take a break. A break from the mud.

Follow the fence

We resumed hiking on the mostly Windward side of the fenced trail.

Cabin in the clouds

A sight for sore eyes.

Koloa Cabin

The best cabin on the KST.

Cabin life

Stuff I learned on my first cabin hike. Bring extra clothes, so you don’t have to be wet, dirty and miserable the whole day and night. Wet clothes and shoes will not dry on top of the KST. Bring a toothbrush, as dental hygiene is important when roughing it. Mountain House tastes a lot better than MREs, especially if you have a heat source. Hot chocolate is imbibed better laced with vodka. Smoking tobacco tastes better when you roll it yourself. Things that go bump in the night could be a rat or a ghost. But if you sleep soundly and snore loudly enough, things like that don’t bother you.

Sunrise

Click here for the larger image.

Morning musings

Rambling reflections of our hike so far that we left in the cabin log book, that was donated by Allison Baird.

Good morning

Group photo at the cabin.

Leaving the cabin

It was so hard to leave this cozy cabin in the mountains. Click here for the larger image.

KST

The Windward side of the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Leeward side

The trail also meandered on the Leeward side that was marked by heavy cover and vegetation.

Trail

The trail weaved across open meadows and back to the Windward side.

Looking back

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Kicking It

Stretching it on the KST. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Ko’olau Faces

I always fail to get the memo. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Waianae Mountain Range

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Trail

The trail contoured the ridgeline for the most part.

Scenic view

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Ko’olau Range Lobelia

No plants were harmed or molested in the making of this photograph.

Castle Junction

Group photo.

Mountain activities

Time to stretch and relax.

Trail

Open country. Photo by Genesaret Balladares

Dragonfly

Hello. Which one of 5,000 species are you?

Hello fence

Just when we thought we lost the fence.

Army Cabin

A junction and cabin for another day. Time and weather was not on our side.

Ridges

Looking out at all the ridges and valleys.

Got Mud?

The Papali section is feet down, the muddiest section of the KST.

Mud break

We needed a Kit Kat break, not a mud break.

Ko’olau Award

Gen being badged the Wawae’iole club moss. The order of mud splatter was automatically awarded.

Deep Mud

Jose going through a typical muddy section of the trail.

Spartan Mud Race

Get ready. Set. Go! Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Trail

The fence made some sections of the trail a little tight for space.

Ko’olau Massacre

Hiking in mud all day can do strange things to a person.

Cloudy view

We saw a stream meandering its way down to the valley below us.

Revenge of the Ko’olau Massacre

Hiking in the mountains all day can do strange things to a person.

Trail

Approaching a scenic point overlooking Kahana Valley.

Kahana Valley

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Trail

Clinging onto the fence as the trail traversed a narrow section of the ridgeline.

Hanging on

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Meadow

Why did the hikers cross the fence? To get to the other fence.

Da Boot

The iconic landmark on the KST. Some believe this is the junction for the Pe’ahinai’a Trail, another trail that has fallen out of use.

Trail

We followed the contour trail on the Leeward side.

Fence

The fence picked the trail back to the Windward side.

Almost there

We left the fence line to continue following the ridge down to Poamoho.

Contouring

Hiking on the Windward side of the trail.

Gated hike

The gate was a sign that we were close to the Poamoho summit.

All wet

Soaked to the bone with mud and water.

Poamoho Summit

One of the best views on the island. When it’s not socked in. Like today.

Trail

There was no view at the summit to be had, so we pushed onto the cabin. The fence had extended its reach since my last visit.

Cabin and marsh

Let’s get out of this rain, but let’s take a group photo first.

Poamoho Cabin

Our cabin for the night.

Cabin entertainment

Poamoho cabin is the oldest extant cabin on the KST and is beginning to show its age. Especially after staying in the newer and roomier Koloa Cabin, but at least it wasn’t locked. We had a roof over our heads and all the rain water we wanted at our disposal.

Sunrise

Good morning! Time to put our wet clothes and shoes back on.

Morning smokes

Even robots just want to have fun.

Back on the trail

Our final day hiking on the KST, as we pushed towards our destination which was Waiahole Uka.

Donkey trail

These trails were blasted and carved out of the mountains by the CCC gangs back in the 1930s.

Hiking sign

Another new sight on the KST. What’s next? Lunch wagons?

Peek-a-boo

Can you see us? Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

Pauao Ridge Junction

The long hike down to Kahana Valley. Another hike for another day.

Trail

Hiking the Windward side of the trail.

Trail

Watching out for the numerous false steps on the trail. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Trail

The mountainside was dotted with assorted shapes and sizes of native loulou palm trees.

Trail

The trail had numerous short up and downs. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

A trail with a view

Every now and then, the clouds would part to tease us with a view.

Schofield-Waikane Junction

The long ridge down to Wahiawa. Another hike for another day.

Waikane Junction

We came to the Waikane junction where we took the higher trail to continue our hike.

KST

The trail contoured on the Windward side below the ridgeline.

Meadow

Cloudy and socked in conditions makes it easy for hikers to get confused and lost navigating the trails.

Tricky Junction

This section was counter-intuitive as one does not continue straight but heads up and turns left to maintain track on the KST.

Trail

Contour for days.

Lehua Papa

Perched above us was the largest known tree of the myrtle family on the Ko’olaus according to Dave Fahrenwald.

Fence

Fenced ridgeline.

Ko’olau Potraits

The mountain meadow photo booth. Where do all those memos go?

Jungle

Uluhe was growing rampant in some sections. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Notch

Gen going through the notch.

Uphill

Pushing up the last hill to the summit of Waiahole Uka.

Looking down

One of the few groves of Japanese Sugi Pine Trees to be found on the island. Other than at your friendly neighborhood nursery.

Waiahole Uka Summit

Socked in and raining. Typical Windward ridge.

Going down

Making our way down the cloud covered ridge.

Grasshopper

Can you hear me now?

Going down

One at a time.

Mossy

Abundant moss covered most of the trees at the higher elevation.

Uluhe

Waiahole is known for its dense and interlocking uluhe ferns. Loads of fun. Not really.

Ocean view

Taking a respite from the uluhe, enjoying limited views of Mokolii.

Never ending

Coming to the last major hump before the final descent off the ridge.

Water

Once we dragged ourselves off the uluhe infested mountain, we turned right onto the Kuolani-Waianu trail and crossed over several large landslides with huge trees blocking the trail.

All pau

Big mahalos to Chris Bautista for picking us up in the dark and pouring rain. No sign of Scuba, the self proclaimed guardian of the valley.

GPS Tracks

The laborious three day hike covered 27.92 miles through the Northern Ko’olaus with stunning scenery, convoluted terrain and not another soul in sight. Good times with great friends. Post hike meal at Haleiwa Joe’s. Gen ran into the restaurant to secure our table before the last seating. I got the most eye popping, belt busting piece of prime rib that my stomach has seen. All that was missing were the horns and the tail.

I decided to hike Mariner’s Ridge Trail today. Scratch that. The trail is off-limits, do not hike that trail. I can rest easy now, as I have done my part. To see what I’m rambling about, click here. Instead, I met up with Donald, Marvin, Randy and Ryan at the end of Waimano Home Road at 5am. The plan was to hike from Waiahole Uka to Waimano Trail. Key word : plan. Events would dictate otherwise. Matt picked us up and deposited us at the start of the Waiahole Trail. Thanks Matt!

Sunrise

Walking in the dark valley, we got off track a bit until Randy regained the trail for us.

We meet again

Instead of going with the flow like we did last time, we went against gravity and made our way up the ridge which was thickly tangled with uluhe ferns. Not fun. Hiking tip: tall hikers out in front helps a bit to clear the path. Also wearing long sleeves and long pants helps to blunt the uluhe ferns clawing at you.

I should’ve had a V8

It was a relentless and steady climb up. There are ropes on the steeper sections of the ridge for assistance if needed, but to paraphrase the saying ” You never know where that rope’s been.”

We need the secondary photographer

During the climb up, Marvin didn’t feel well and decided to turn around and catch the bus back home. Now we were left without our KST guide. We decided to forge ahead anyway, as who wanted to go back through that uluhe fern mess again? Photo by Donald Truesdell.

Scenic shot

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Ryan Meyer.

Lunch spot

We topped out at Waiahole Uka on a clear day to soak in the views and take a load off our feet. Photo by Donald Truesdell.

On the KST…for now…

Stretching our legs out before they got too cold, we resumed our hike and made our way around the grove of Sugi pine trees as Randy scouted the hill ahead. Our feet soon trampled the remnants of the old Kipapa cabin as we made our way on what we thought was the KST trail.

Waiahole Uka

Looking back at Waiahole Uka sandwhiched in between Pu’u Ohulehule and Pu’u Manamana.

And we start going down…the wrong way…

We soon shredded any hope that we were on the KST trail as we started dropping elevation and the Koolau mountains became more distant in the background.

It comes out somewhere…

The die was cast already and we had made our choice, not the right one, but we figured the ridge had to come out somewhere. And we still had plenty of daylight left. But no clue as to what ridge we were hiking on.

Sleeps 8

Shortly after passing this un-named cabin that apparently was the property of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the trail soon looked like Mother Nature had reclaimed it lock, stock and barrel. The heavily overgrown trail lasted for several hours and significantly stalled our forward progress, until we got a break in the form of a trail clearing crew, that was clearing the last three miles until the trailhead. Thank you! The crew also told us that we were on the Kipapa or Koa Ridge. Mystery solved. Photo by Ryan Meyer.

Kipapa trailhead

We arrived at the Kipapa trailhead, somewhat scratched and poked at, but none the worse for wear.

Thanks for the beers!

The jeep road took us straight to a couple of friendly ranch hands that offered us ice cold Corona’s. Talk about Aloha! We needed that liquid nourishment to help us finish the last five miles of roads we needed to get back to civilization.

The long road out

On the way out, we passed horses put out to pasture, grazing cows and an assortment of farm vegetables.

H-2

After crossing over the H-2 freeway, we passed by the Waiahole Ditch System which was created in the early 1900’s to irrigate the Leeward side with water from the Windward side. We soon crossed Ka Uka Blvd and plopped down on the grass in front of Waipio Starbucks, until Ryan and Donald’s friend came and picked us up. Thanks C-Pot!

GPS Tracks

The hike was 13.7 miles or 16-17 miles, depending on whose GPS was reading correctly that day. All in all, it was still a grinder hike by any definition.