Wailupe Valley to Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail to Makapuu

by kenji SAITO on January 31, 2016

Hiking 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.

Trailhead

Trailhead

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

Cardio hill

Cardio hill

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

Cardiac hill

Cardiac hill

Huffing and puffing all the way to the top.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

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

Sunrise

Sunrise

The sun being filtered by the ridges and trees.

Wiliwilinui Stairs and Swing

Wiliwilinui Stairs and Swing

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

Relay station

Relay station

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

Wiliwilinui Summit

Wiliwilinui Summit

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

Sweat

Sweat

Anybody thirsty? Steripen?

Leaving the summit

Leaving the summit

Do we follow the arrow or the words?

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal experience.

Wailupe Summit

Wailupe Summit

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.

Ohia Lehua

Ohia Lehua

An uncommon sighting of a dew dropped salmon lehua flower.

Flora

Flora

Toxic red flower buds of the hydrangea on the trail.

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking on the edge.

Hawaii Loa Summit

Hawaii Loa Summit

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

KSRT

KSRT

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

Kulepeamoa Summit

Kulepeamoa Summit

Chris at the top of the “flapping chicken.”

Kulepeamoa Windward

Kulepeamoa Windward

Can you spot the palm tree?

KSRT

KSRT

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

Puu O Kona Summit

Puu O Kona Summit

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

Panoramic view

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

KSRT

KSRT

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

KSRT

KSRT

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

Camping spot

Camping spot

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

Bear Claw Junction

Bear Claw Junction

Right or left?

KSRT

KSRT

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

KSRT

KSRT

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

Kuli'ou'ou Summit

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

A spot less crowded. Photo by Justin Hirako

Kuli'ou'ou Summit

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Halfway there. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

KSRT

Justin looking back at the crowded summit.

Hahaione Junction

Hahaione Junction

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

Detour

Detour

Looking out at Koko Crater and Koko Head.

Pyramid

Pyramid

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

Mariner's Ridge

Mariner’s Ridge

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.

KSRT

KSRT

Justin making his way to the top.

Mariner's Summit

Mariner’s Summit

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

KSRT

KSRT

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

Kamilo Iki Valley

Kamilo Iki Valley

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.

KSRT

KSRT

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

Bells Tower

Bells Tower

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.

Tom Tom Trail

Tom Tom Trail

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

KSRT

KSRT

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

Caveman Proving Grounds

Caveman Proving Grounds

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

Kamiloiki Summit

Kamiloiki Summit

Just passing by. No time for breaks.

KSRT

KSRT

Going down into the saddle. Photo by Justin Hirako

KSRT

KSRT

Looking back into Waimanalo. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

KSRT

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

KSRT

KSRT

We were about to crash the IG party.

The Dead Mans Cat Walk

The Dead Mans Cat Walk

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

Hang Gliders Platform #1

Hang Gliders Platform #1

Have wind, will fly.

Hang Gliders Platform #2

Hang Gliders Platform #2

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

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way down the rocky ridge to the puka.

Makapuu Puka

Makapuu Puka

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

Mini Makapuu Puka

Mini Makapuu Puka

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

KSRT

KSRT

Almost there.

Makapuu Lookout

Makapuu Lookout

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

All pau

All pau

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.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

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.

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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Justin March 26, 2016 at 10:31 pm

“Being mistaken for homeless” Hahahaha those appetizers were were well-appreciated after our long hike.

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kenji SAITO March 26, 2016 at 10:32 pm

Yes, you should have ordered more! They were on the house!

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Justin March 26, 2016 at 10:59 pm

Guarantee! No need bring my Chef Boyardee! Haha

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