Met up with the group to do Ferlino’s last hike on the island before he shipped off to Guam for babysitting duties.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Aida, Edgar, Ferlino, Lilyn, Marilyn, Quan, Scott, Tessa and myself carpooled into three cars and drove onto the Marine Corps Base Hawaii that occupies the entire Mokapu Peninsula to check in with Range Control to sign in and get briefed. We were then given the keys and radio to the kingdom or at least the tuff cone for the day.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Ferlino preparing to nearly exhaust his digital storage for photos and videos.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Semper Fidelis.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Scott trying to make the sign whole again.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Breathe girl.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Trying to stay on trail.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Somebody said this only takes 10 – 15 minutes to the top?
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Ground Control to Major Tom. Oh wait. Range Control this is R10 hike. At the top.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
One should know two acronyms when doing a jump shot. ACL and MCL.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Group photo at the 659′ summit left to right: Edgar, Ferlino, Aida, Quan, Scott, myself, Marilyn, Tessa and Lilyn.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Looking down at the range that the Marine Scouts and Snipers use for target practice.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Not paying attention can get one clotheslined on the trail by a telephone wire.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Ferlino headed down the trail.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Edgar climbing down the steep rocky section. Ropes optional.
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
Can I get a prettier model?
Ulupa’u Crater Trail
I’m not sure if Quan is trying to keep the riff raff in or out?
Pyramid Rock Beach
We had a lot of time to burn, so we crossed the airstrip and fortunately we had left our thongs and speedos at home and were in compliance by not being provocative at all. Loud perhaps, but not provocative.
Pyramid Rock Beach
Leave only footprints.
Pyramid Rock Beach
The sign did say access? What happens when you have selective reading with a purpose.
Pyramid Rock Beach
Ferlino climbing up the natural structure topped by a concrete house that has a mounted light to guide vessels into Kaneohe Bay, it’s also known in Hawaiian as Ku’au or to “handle.”
Pyramid Rock Beach
Looking out towards the Marine’s “private beach.”
Pyramid Rock Beach
Tessa looking out towards the Windward coastline.
Pyramid Rock Beach
Scott looking out towards Ulupa’u Crater.
Pyramid Rock Beach
Group photo on top of the structure, just don’t lean back as the railings have seen better days.
All pau
Our farewell hike for Ferlino covered less than a sneeze or 1.5 miles. Post hike meal was originally at the officer’s mess and then rescheduled to Koa Pancake House. A hui hou Mr. Carinio.
Video by Edgar Gamiao of our Ulupa’u Crater and Pyramid Rock Beach Hike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJZZH0yvh70
Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Edgar Gamiao, Lilyn Avendano, Marilyn Bermudez, Quan Haberstroh, Scott Dea, Tessa Bugay and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.
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.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank You Kenji, Marilyn and everyone ???? You are always a great sport and company. ?? I Shall Return
Aloha Ferlino,
Always fun with the gang and we’ll see you on your next TDY in Hawaii. LOL.
Mahalo
Do you need permission to go on this hike? I do have base access. How long is the hike, and what level would you rate it.ie- easy, moderate…I like your postings!
Aloha Lovelyn,
Thanks. You do need to call range control as some weekends they have training and I would call this an easy day in the park. Have fun!
Mahalo
So wait…you can just walk into KMAS now? Did you have to get clearance?
Yes we got clearance from the range.
Also, did you see any of the emergency hospital tunnels dug thruout the crater mound? They were sooooooper dark and creepy.
No we didn’t see any tunnels as we were restricted to the summit.
Or were they on the hill Manhattan Tower is on top of? Dunno, it’s been a long time.
Not sure what Manhattan Tower refers to. It would have been nice to hike the rim though.
Hello! I tried to do this hike in January 2022 and arrived at the TH before sunrise. I saw the locked gate and assumed that it was not open for hiking. Can you expound on how you were able to check-in with the range and get permission and keys to hike the crater? I would love to give this one another try next time I am on Oahu. Thanks!
Aloha Gustav,
Our friend called range control and we were able get the keys and a radio stay in contact with them. You should call beforehand, as sometimes it’s closed due to training.
HNY!