Wailupe Valley to Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail to Makapuu

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.

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

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

Huffing and puffing all the way to the top.

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

The sun being filtered by the ridges and trees.

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

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

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

Anybody thirsty? Steripen?

Do we follow the arrow or the words?

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal experience.

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.

An uncommon sighting of a dew dropped salmon lehua flower.

Toxic red flower buds of the hydrangea on the trail.

Hiking on the edge.

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

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

Chris at the top of the “flapping chicken.”

Can you spot the palm tree?

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

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

Click here for the larger image.

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

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

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

Right or left?

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

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

A spot less crowded. Photo by Justin Hirako

Halfway there. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Justin looking back at the crowded summit.

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

Looking out at Koko Crater and Koko Head.

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

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.

Justin making his way to the top.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Just passing by. No time for breaks.

Going down into the saddle. Photo by Justin Hirako

Looking back into Waimanalo. Photo by Justin Hirako.

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

We were about to crash the IG party.

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

Have wind, will fly.

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

Making our way down the rocky ridge to the puka.

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

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

Almost there.

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

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.

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.

Tagged as: hahaione summit, hawaii loa summit, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, kulepeamoa summit, kuliouou summit, makapuu, mariners ridge summit, puu o kona, tom-tom trail, wailupe summit, wailupe valley, wiliwilinui ridge trail