Chris, Jose, Justin and myself picked up from where we left off from last week. We all met up in the back of Wailupe Valley. Somebody was running late and somebody was never in the running.

Trailhead

Our group took the valley shortcut as we didn’t want to wait until 8am when the Wiliwilinui Trail opens to the public.

Cardio hill

We soon left the valley floor to head up the spur ridge.

Cardiac hill

Huffing and puffing all the way to the top.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

It was nice to be on the relatively flat jeep road. A mountain bike would have been even nicer.

Sunrise

The sun being filtered by the ridges and trees.

Wiliwilinui Stairs and Swing

We left the jeep road behind to start the actual trail.

Relay station

Chris about to pass the tower on his way to the summit. The socked in summit.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: myself, Justin, King Kamehameha, Chris and Jose.

Sweat

Anybody thirsty? Steripen?

Leaving the summit

Do we follow the arrow or the words?

KSRT

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal experience.

Wailupe Summit

The green wooden sign marking the summit was gone. Hopefully not scavenged by some souvenir seeking hiker. Group photo by Justin Hirako with the replacement fluttering prayer flags. Ring the bell.

Ohia Lehua

An uncommon sighting of a dew dropped salmon lehua flower.

Flora

Toxic red flower buds of the hydrangea on the trail.

KSRT

Hiking on the edge.

Hawaii Loa Summit

The clouds finally cleared when we reached the 2,520′ summit, affording us clear views of Waimanalo and beyond. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

Justin setting foot on the now clear Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

Kulepeamoa Summit

Chris at the top of the “flapping chicken.”

Kulepeamoa Windward

Can you spot the palm tree?

KSRT

Justin pushing through as the trail became a tad more overgrown on our way to Puu O Kona.

Puu O Kona Summit

Group photos at the 2,200′ summit by Justin Hirako.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

KSRT

Justin leaving the summit behind as we made our way to Kuli’ou’ou.

KSRT

Approaching the eroded section of the trail. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Camping spot

The winds were not blowing hard in the mountains today, otherwise this picture would have been lost with the GoPro. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Junction

Right or left?

KSRT

We passed several hikers on their way to Puu O Kona.

KSRT

Jose and Chris sliding their way down to the summit of Kuli’ou’ou.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

A spot less crowded. Photo by Justin Hirako

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Halfway there. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

Justin looking back at the crowded summit.

Hahaione Junction

We passed the junction that would take one down the ridge of discarded furniture and paintballers valley.

Detour

Looking out at Koko Crater and Koko Head.

Pyramid

We decided not to visit the top and contoured the trail around the pyramid.

Mariner’s Ridge

The trail to the summit was closed by Kamehameha Schools back in 2013. The only way to visit the summit now is through HTMC, Sierra Club or do cross over hikes from other summits on the KSRT.

KSRT

Justin making his way to the top.

Mariner’s Summit

The once bustling summit was eerily empty except for two hikers passing by on their way to Kuli’ouo’ou. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

Justin plunging into the pine trees as we left the summit.

Kamilo Iki Valley

Looking into the last valley on East Oahu not touched by development. That may soon change as increased rents may push the existing farmers out, paving the way for developers to get their shovels into the ground. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

The trail became less green and more rocky as we made our way to the Tom-Tom trail.

Bells Tower

We passed the rock structure also known as Dorito’s Tower, named after the hiker that was first documented to have climbed it. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Tom Tom Trail

Looking at the spur ridge that descends deep down into Waimanalo country.

KSRT

We left the Tom-Tom trail to continue on the roller coasting ridge.

Caveman Proving Grounds

When do we get our certificates? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Kamiloiki Summit

Just passing by. No time for breaks.

KSRT

Going down into the saddle. Photo by Justin Hirako

KSRT

Looking back into Waimanalo. Photo by Justin Hirako.

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Approaching the old Nike-Hercules missile site and communication towers. Photo by Justin Hirako.

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We were about to crash the IG party.

The Dead Mans Cat Walk

Soon to be destroyed by its own fame. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hang Gliders Platform #1

Have wind, will fly.

Hang Gliders Platform #2

Looking down at the bird sanctuary islands and the UH Makai Pier.

KSRT

Making our way down the rocky ridge to the puka.

Makapuu Puka

Hey, we’re missing somebody! Photo by Justin Hirako.

Mini Makapuu Puka

Justin found another smaller puka on our way up the ridge. Photo by Justin Hirako

KSRT

Almost there.

Makapuu Lookout

Why did the hikers cross the road? To visit the lighthouse. Not today.

All pau

We still had to walk a good stretch of the road to get back to Justin’s truck that we had staged earlier in the day. Photo by Justin Hirako.

GPS Tracks

Our trek to the end of the Southern Ko’olaus covered 11.08 miles. Post hike meal at Outback. Being mistaken for homeless resulted in appetizers on the house.

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. Mahalo.

Unable to find any hiking buddies today, I settled on an easy hike to do by myself.

Trailhead

I parked at the end of Hao Street in Aina Haina and found a dust fence bordering the trailhead. Read that developer Jeff Stone bought a chunk of land in this area, hope access is not shut off.

Wailupe Valley

The hike started under canopy cover and oddly no mosquitoes. Not complaining.

Root trail

The trail alternated between mud, rocks and tree roots. All good to have underneath your feet.

Junction

I soon came across this junction that would drop me further down into the valley. There are many side trails that can lead one astray. Thanks to Troy Solano for providing me the GPS tracks.

Follow the pink bottle caps

The trail down was punctuated by pink bottle caps and ribbons.

Stream crossing

Crossed the stream about three times, with varying degrees of depth. Inches to be exact.

Uphill

I soon began the slog up the middle ridge that was populated by canopy cover and a semi-dense blanket of uluhe ferns.

Wailupe Middle Ridge

Walking along the exposed and relatively flat section of the ridge, trade winds would have been nice. I had the ridge all to myself, not another soul in sight.

Straight up

The canopy cover returned along with a somewhat steep climb.

Tree fungi

Doesn’t look too appetizing. No stir fry dinner for me tonight.

Final push

I can see the summit! Actually it’s behind a false peak.

Red Lehua Flowers

No picking of the flowers. Don’t want any rain on my parade today.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Wailupe summit

I was expecting high winds at the 2,403′ summit. Only a slight breeze greeted my arrival. That’s what I get for believing in the weather forecast. Gullible as charged.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Headed north

After chugging down some cold Gatorade and munching on peanut butter filled pretzels, I turned North on the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

On the KSRT

The trail was quite muddy from the storm that lashed the islands this past Friday. Slipped on my butt a couple times, as the trail rollercoasters up and down.

Wiliwilinui summit

The cross over was the shortest one I have done, took less than half an hour to make it from Wailupe to Wiliwilinui summits.

Photobomber!

Met another hiker at the summit.

Headed down

Making my way down past the relay station tower.

Stepped trail

Going down the State trail, I passed quite a few hikers making their way up to the summit.

Powerlines

Walking on the flat part of the ridge. The power lines follow the ridge for the most part.

Swinger

I need a push!

Tree lined trail

Looked like the hand of man was involved on this trail section, rather than Mother Nature.

Junction

A pink bottle cap marked the way down into Wailupe Valley.

Down into the valley

Going down was somewhat steep at times, but the ample presence of trees came in use as handy brakes.

Pollinator

More bees at work.

Follow the pink ribbons

The trail down was marked at regular intervals with pink bottle caps or ribbons. Once the trail dumps you back down into the valley floor, the ribbons become somewhat scarce and the side trails seemed to proliferate. The GPS tracks came in handy.

All pau

Making my way back to the car.

GPS Tracks

The loop hike involved two ridges and a brief cross over that covered 5.63 miles. Post hike meal at McDonald’s. Miss the super size option and the company.