Upper Lulumahu Falls

Projected heavy rain showers lead us to visit a waterfall. I still haven’t learned my lesson. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Aida, Art, Ferlino, Lilyn, Tessa and myself off in the mountains above Tantalus.

Art taking point on the trail and guiding us on what was a promised four hour hike. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Making our way through the dense bamboo forest that diffused the sunlight from above.

We took an unintended detour off the trail and found a lonely swing on a tree. Playtime in the mountains.

Threading our way through the densely packed bamboo forest.

The trail soon spit us onto a paved road. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Disappointment registered strongly in some of us when we found out that the Tantalus Tower has been taken down. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Going up the short and steep incline.

Leaving the paved road to connect back to the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Entering the gated community of Pauoa. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Ferlino passing through the forest of bendy trees. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Lilyn was catcalling for the catwalk. Strutting our stuff on the runway. Some did it more suggestively than others.

Art sawing off bamboo poles for the muddy trails ahead.

Heading up towards the lookout.

It was another touchy-feely moment in the mountains.

Going up the grassy trail that leads to Konahuanui.

Ferlino overlooking the Nu’uanu Reservoir. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Looking ahead to the double tiered waterfalls nestled on the slopes of the highest peak on the Ko’olau Range. Photo by Aida Gordon.

We split from the main trail to descend down to the falls. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Going down one of the roped steep sections. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Crossing the runoff trail.

Group photo left to right: Lilyn, Tessa, Art, Aida, Ferlino and myself.

Does Lilyn think she is going to climb down to Lulumahu Falls? Think again. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

While we were checking out the larger of the upper falls, a big group descended on the falls resulting in a traffic jam.

The larger group migrated to the upper tier and monopolized the smaller falls, which resulted in only their group photo being taken.

The rest of our group moved to the top of the lower falls and took their edge of their seats pictures.

This was my edge of the seat photo. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Tessa going back up the trail.

Taking a short, snack break at the junction. Photo by Aida Gordon

We had to do single file shuffling as we got behind the larger group.

Pressing on past the lookout.

Ferlino going up the ridge instead of the flats trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Dropping off the ridge and onto the wide and maintained trail.

Going with the flow of gravity down the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Art turning onto the trail.

Most of us tried our hand and legs at climbing up the slippery banyan tree.

Making our way down the switch backs. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Hitting the loop trail. We skipped the scenic route and went straight to the stream.

Reaching for the sky. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Passing through one of the hau groves where we soon passed the popular watering hole, Jackass Ginger Pool.

Scrubbing and washing our lower extremities with what we thought was clean water. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Leaving the stream, feeling clean and refreshed, as we headed towards the Old Pali Road to wait for our ride. Photo by Aida Gordon.

We looked over the bridge and discovered a headless rotting carcass of a pig that the stream water washed over and trickled down to where we had sat and scrubbed. Not feeling so clean and refreshed anymore, are we?

Thanks to Art for showing us the falls on our 7.96 mile hike, despite taking longer than the promised time, but we still had loads of fun. Mahalo to Jasmin for picking us up. Post hike meal at Dean’s Drive Inn. I should have ordered the tripe stew instead.

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.

Tagged as: jackass ginger pool, judd trail, manoa cliffs trail, nuuanu overlook, nuuanu trail, pauoa flats trail, puu ohia trail, upper lulumahu falls