It was that time to play Santa Claus and bring Christmas cheer to the mountains this weekend.

Trailhead

Passing the gate, several two and four legged hikers kept me company on the trail until the stairs section.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

The mountains were strikingly clear against the blue backdrop of the sky. Why can’t every day on the trails be like today?

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Approaching the summit that is landmarked with the communications tower. Plane optional.

Wiliwilinui Summit

I had the panoramic view all to myself at the top.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Left the 2,480′ summit to thread my way through the new HECO poles on the ridge.

KSRT

Looking at the streak in blue catch up to me on the ridge line.

Lanipo Windward

Chris standing on the path that Dick Davis took on his way down.

Kainawa’aunui Summit

It was a toss up if the Mau’umae trail has more ups and downs than this section that we were doing. I think I would rather do the cross over.

KSRT

Dropping down from the big hill to the valley views.

Ka’au Crater

HFD Chopper looking for tourists disguised as hikers in distress?

Ka’au Crater

One day I want to row, row my boat across this marsh.

KSRT

Climbing to the summit of Awaawaloa. Photo by Chris Bautista

Mount Olympus

Hydrating at the 2,486′ summit.

KSRT

Taking a break from the ridge and enjoying the relatively wide open contour trail.

KSRT

Looking out towards hazy views of the Waianae Mountain Range.

KSRT

Blue tour helicopter searching for views for their paying customers.

KSRT

The contour trail soon ended shortly past sedan rock and we got back on the ridge trail.

Manoa Middle Summit

It was a pleasant surprise to run into Lita’s group at the flat clearing, as they had come up from Manoa Valley.

KSRT

Resuming our hike on the ridge line, we bumped into Janell’s group who had come down from K2.

KSRT

Chris heading to the crown jewels of the Ko’olau’s.

KSRT

Traversing between the two summits. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KSRT

Almost there.

Konahuanui Summit

The summit was one of the clearest days that I can recall being here, I almost didn’t recognize or more accurately believe we were standing on the highest point on the Ko’olau Mountains.

K1

The things that you find in geocaches.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris with a commanding view below him.

Nu’uanu Saddle

A lot easier going up than coming down this rock. Maybe it’s just me. Photo by Chris Bautista

Nu’uanu Saddle

The ridge soon lost most of it’s vegetative character and took on a more crumbly note.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Making my way around the contour. Always mindful of what happened here. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Time to pass out lumps of chossy rocks. Photo by Chris Bautista

Nu’uanu Saddle

Sitting on the nipple and watching Chris getting ready to come down. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris coming down the Chimney.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Approaching the second notch, where Analyn was waiting for us.

Nu’uanu Saddle

We unintentionally crashed somebody’s photo shoot. Photo by Analyn Balisco.

Nu’uanu Saddle

A paraglider skimming the saddles also photo bombed the other group.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Now it was time for our photo shoot.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Time to pack up our dresses and head back down.

All pau

Mahalo to Analyn for meeting us at the notches and taking us back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Our crystal clear day on the mountains covered 7.54 miles from start to finish. Great hike with Chris but coming down from K1 seemed harder than in the past. It was somewhat unsettling to be honest. Post hike meal at Pieology. Coming soon to a shopping mall near you.

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.

Lanipo Windward ridge was last reportedly done by HTMC hiker Dick Davis in the 1940s when he lost all his fingernails going down. Ouch. I wanted to scout out the ridge for a possible future hike. Joining me today were Jose, Ryan and Thessa.

Trailhead

We parked at the top of Maunalani Circle and found two condoms on the ground. Used. At least somebody had safe sex.

Corridor

The beginning of the trail is sandwiched between a BWS tank and somebody’s private property.

Mau’umae ridge

It was a rainy day on the ridge. Can’t catch a sunny break.

Walking up

The Lanipo trail has been described as a rollercoaster hike. A light version of the Manana Trail. Up and down. Repeat until you get to the top.

Looking back

Click here for larger image.

Steve Becker bench

Group photo at the bench left to right: Jose, myself, Thessa and Ryan. Sound advice that was posted: Never hike alone, carry a cell phone, and leave your hike plan with someone.

Trail snacks

Strawberry guava trees fruiting along the trail.

What’s that?

Ryan and Thessa looking at some red flowers nestled amongst dead branches that caught their eye.

Dew drops

Something you only see in the morning or after a good rain. We had both.

Captain Morgan?

Where’s the rum? BYOB on the trails.

Shaka rainbow

It’s all about perspective. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Waterfall

The third waterfall cascading down from Ka’au Crater.

Palolo valley

Looking out all the way to Diamond Head.

Baby fern

A fiddlehead.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Almost there

Ryan and Jose going up the last hill to the summit. The rollercoaster ride has ended. Please remain seated until the car comes to a complete stop.

Mount Olympus

The cloud deck was skipping and skimming the top of the Ko’olaus. Caught a rare glimpse of Olympus not capped in clouds.

Kainawa’aunui summit

A severe infestation of gnats or flies replaced the rain at the 2,520′ summit. Bring back the rain.

One less pollinator

A bumblebee chose this branch as its last resting spot.

What the?

Jose spotted this peculiar looking beetle that had some white stuff clinging to its body. Imperial bug trooper.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Cloudy summits ahead

The gnats or flies were feeding off the fruits and seeds of the ‘ie’ie woody climbers. I think we ended up feeding on some of them.

On the KSRT

Back on the rollercoaster. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Koolau Summit Ridge Trail

Keep your arms and legs on the Leeward side at all times.

Lanipo Windward

Approaching Lanipo summit and Windward ridge. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

True Lanipo

Socked in summit. What are we looking at?

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Scouting

Doesn’t look that bad. So far.

Lanipo Windward

Jose coming down the ridge.

Checking it out

Some pretty hairy sections further down. Warrants further scouting from the bottom of Aniani Nui Ridge that connects to the backside of Ahiki. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Looking back

Side view of Lanipo Windward Ridge. Steep and sketchy. I know other hikers have scouted it from top and bottom and decided it was too dangerous to complete. Something to chew on.

Cloudy ridge

Going down to the cluster of HECO power lines.

That’s my name

Little known fact is that Ryan works for HECO.

HECO power lines

Imagine working up here. Must be nice to get choppered into work, instead of taking the bus.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Almost to the last summit

Ryan and Jose making their way up the last hump.

Wiliwilinui

Another socked in summit. Typical day on the Ko’olaus.

Communications relay site

Headed down the Wiliwilinui trail.

Steps

Familiar trail footing, slats buried into the hillsides to retard erosion.

Looking back at the Ko’olaus

Looking at the path we had traveled from Kainawa’aunui to Wiliwilinui on the Ko’olau Mountains.

Swingers

Made use of a popular swing at the bottom of the stepped trail. Look under the seat to find clues to other swings.

Easy trail

The rest of the trail down was a dirt road. Wide open. Nice change of pace.

Connector trail?

We passed the connector trail that descends down into Wailupe Valley. Another hike for another day.

One last view

The trail afforded us one last view of East Oahu ranging all the way to Koko Crater.

Hike pau?

Headed towards the trailhead gate.

Not yet

Going up an access trail which leads to several WW2 bunkers and gun turret emplacements formerly known as Battery Wilridge (Kirkpatrick) that were built in 1942.

Bunker #1

Thessa sliding down to the first bunker.

Exploring

This bunker could have been the control station. The holes seen in the recessed area were possibly data and power lines for a naval computer. Computer in 1942?

Bunker #2

The second bunker was much larger and possibly had a powder room that contained the magazine/conveyor belt that fed the shells to the guns.

Camouflage

We followed the powder room where it lead to this barbette, which once housed an 8″ gun turret that was removed from the carrier USS Lexington.

Looking down

This was one of two 8″ gun batteries. We could not locate the other. There are numerous tunnels that connect to other bunkers on this ridge, but most of them have been walled off by private owners that own some of them.

Rich mans bunker

One of the bunkers sitting next to somebody’s house that was converted into their private man cave. Tours? Release the hounds Mr. Smithers.

GPS Tracks

Our hike clocked in at 6.44 miles. Got to explore two new trails and scouted out a potential third one with a great group. Post hike meal at Big City Diner. Love Uncle Ray’s Poke.

Rain rain go away, come again another day. That childhood nursery rhyme was going through my head as I pulled in Wa’ahila Park at the top of St. Louis Heights to be greeted by morning showers. I met Jason there, as Glenn had bugged out due to the rain. We talked about it and hoped the rain would pass, so we got into my car and drove to Hawaii Loa to start our hike at 7:15am.

Going up Hawaii Loa Ridge

As we made our way up Hawaii Loa ridge, the clouds seemed to be settling lower and lower on the Koolau Mountain tops. The rain had not followed us, but what we got instead was clumps of dirty water drops.

Hawaii Loa Summit

We got to the top of Hawaii Loa Summit at 2,520 feet in whiteout conditions. The views of Waimanalo and the Windward side of the island were nowhere to be seen. Not having anything to keep us at the summit, we proceeded to follow the heavily vegetated trail on the left.

Wailupe Middle Ridge

We hiked the Koolau Summit Ridge in the clouds and at times, could barely see in front of us. The top of Wailupe Middle Ridge harbored the same whiteout conditions we had hoped we left behind at Hawaii Loa. There was a little sign on the ground that pointed in the direction of Wailupe Loop, didn’t seem too stable as somebody or something could easily move the marker.

Wiliwilinui Ridge

About an hour later, we still had no view at Wiliwilinui ridge. But we did see the communication tower appearing out of the clouds like a pirate ship. I was beginning to think the whole hike was going to be in these conditions, a total bummer.

Diamond Head

A funny thing happend coming down from Lanipo where we had our lunch, the clouds started to clear up. As we made our way down into this little valley and climbed back out of it, the views started opening up, which gave us renewed energy to push on.

Mount Olympus

We could finally see our goal ahead of us, which was Mount Olympus or Awaawaloa.

Panoramic view going toward Mount Olympus

Click here for the larger image which shows the split views of the Town and Windward side.

Ka'au Crater

As we passed the two powerlines on the ridge, we saw the marsh filled Ka’au crater nestled against the Koolau Mountains.

We're coming Zeus!

Little wisps of clouds started rolling in from the Windward side, threatening to cover the summit. That made me push harder to get to the top as I didn’t want to miss an opportunity for a clear view from the top, something which rarely happens. 

Olomana

Going up Mount Olympus, we had to climb a narrow and rocky ridge that was followed by a 10′ rockface and a somewhat steep hill. No ropes required.

Top of Mount Olympus

The top of Mount Olympus at a little over 2,400 feet was remarkably devoid of clouds, the last time I was here, there was zero visibility. The original plan was to continue until Manoa Middle Ridge and then double back. That would have completed the last part we needed to finish hiking the Eastern part of the Koolaus. But that idea was scratched due to lack of time and being plain tired on our parts. So we began the long descent down the Waahila Ridge trail towards our car.

Panoramic view of Manoa Valley and Town

Click here for the larger image of Palolo and Manoa Valleys.

The long trail home

Only twenty minutes until we get back to the trailhead (inside joke).

Need water!

We completed the hike in twelve hours, which was drawn out by being tuckered out and a tad dehydrated as we didn’t bring enough water. But how often, can you do three hikes all rolled into one?