Rain was drenching the islands for almost a week, you would think the stream levels would be overflowing. One would think.
Wahiawa
We all met up on the street that was named after the California Colony that was founded by families from the 31st state who came to farm pineapples and fruits in the early 1900s.
Wahiawa Hills
Edgar making his way down the heavily rooted and forested hill.
Wahiawa Hills
Following the thick rope down that ran the entire length of the slippery slope. Kudos to whomever carried and left it for others to utilize.
Wahiawa Hills
Passing through a farmed and managed area.
Wahiawa Hills
Our first crossing of the longest river in the islands.
Wahiawa Hills
Putting our glutes and quads to good use this morning.
Wahiawa Hills
Scott getting our bearings in the rolling hills. Multiple hikers have gotten lost and rescued in this lush jungle and one hiker never made it back.
Wahiawa Hills
Descending to our exit stream crossing.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Scott tying a yellow towel to an overhanging branch so that we would have a visual reminder where to get out, otherwise we would rack up extra mileage. Not the kind you can redeem either.
Wahiawa Hills
They don’t call this place Wahiawa Hills for nothing.
Wahiawa Hills
Group photo on the relaxing horizontal stretch of ground.
Wahiawa Hills
Matt standing in front of a Traveller’s Palm, despite his doubts. Google Lens confirmed the flowering plant. It’s on the Internet, so it must be true.
Wahiawa Hills
Keeping to the lower trail.
Wahiawa Hills
The group “exploring” in the hills. All trails eventually lead to the stream. Right?
Wahiawa Hills
Deja vu.
Wahiawa Hills
We are absolutely and positively on the right trail this time. That and a nickel will get us wet.
Wahiawa Hills
Getting ready at the launch point, as we inflated our floaties and put on our wetsuits.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Making our way to the stream which was full of water but not as deep as we had hoped.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
We have buoyancy!
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Floating lazily down a river.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Squirting water on suspecting passerby’s.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Adding more air to my floatie as it was already running low. Do I need to lose weight?
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
The mostly shallow river meant we had to cross the exposed rocks by foot or by butt.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Sandra on the rocks. Shaken and not stirred.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Scott banking off the bank, like a pool shot.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Nature’s wet’n’wild waterpark. Saved us $39.99 and standing in lines and subject to the exorbitant food and beverage prices.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Groot and the chain gang.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Kenny adopting the drag coefficient position to float down the river.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Swimming and tubing in the deep section.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Matt requiring assistance from the Kauai chapter of AAA. I would also require assistance.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Sandra riding the rocky class two rapids.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Back at the finish line sans my gopro. I was more than ready for terra firma. Keep my floatie. Thank you very much.
North Fork Kaukonahua Stream
Deflating the floaties as we dragged our water soaked bodies out of the river that drains into Kai’aka Bay.
Wahiawa Hills
Climbing our last hill for the day.
All pau
Exiting back to our cars where Sandra recovered her banana from my truck that was still sitting there. No hungry chronics in this neighborhood.
GPS Tracks
Our hike/floatie ride covered 4.67 miles through the hills of Wahiawa with a fun group. Thanks to Scott for putting this together. Post hike meal at a local staple in the town, Dong Yang Inn. Under new management without the pupus that used to come with your entrees and everything is now packed to go. Still tasty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8upgtMVRd8
Video by Edgar Gamiao of our tubing/hiking day.
Photos taken by Edgar Gamiao, Kenny Lui, Matt Vidaurri, Sandra Walter, Scott Dea 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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.
{ 0 comments… add one now }