Back to back Kona Lows meant another waterfall hike. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
We all met up at the natural wind tunnel that was out of service today.
Everybody chose their ingress to the Old Pali Road based on body type.
We didn’t start this stack of stones, but we are going to finish it.
It’s hard to believe this road used to accommodate two lanes of traffic before it was closed down in 1961, in favor of the current Pali Highway.
The water draining from the road that was blasted out of the Pali in 1897.
Some struggled more than others in attempting to execute this common callisthenic exercise.
Aerial view of Twin Falls. The flow was not as voluminous as it was during the storms.
Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming the road through landslides and overgrowth.
Paralleling the bustling highway as we walked through the corridor of uluhe ferns.
Drones are like dogs, they don’t always follow you.
Accident prone hikers need to exercise extreme caution crossing this foot bridge. Said hiker was not in this photograph.
Look but don’t touch. I think we got it backwards. Or twisted.
We decided to explore our first stream crossing to our first waterfall.
Marilyn next to a side waterfall.
If you are gullible enough, people will believe your made up name.
Walking over the slippery bridge as we passed by a trickling waterfall. Accident prone hikers beware.
Coming across a historic landmark on the trail that dates back to the 1930s, an old rainwater collection tank that is connected to the Saint Stephen Diocesan Center located below the hill.
Crossing over one of multiple streams flowing down from the mountains.
Pausing at the junction to Piliwale Ridge, a steep Windward trail that touches the KST.
Edgar working his way around one of multiple blowdowns on the trail.
Our group photo at the turning point on the trail as we saw our destination through the low hanging clouds and trees.
Another view of the four waterfall chutes flowing down from the mountains.
Working our way upstream under the giant ferns.
Blonde Buddha at the first waterfall.
Waterfall point of view.
Climbing our way up the second waterfall.
Not much flow for the effort.
Ani joining the spectators down below.
Running into the Katz family on the trail.
Short hike up to the third waterfall.
More flow, less effort.
Look up in the sky, it’s a i’iwi bird, it’s a tour helicopter, it’s a upper tier waterfall!
Slipping, sliding and falling on our way to the last waterfall.
Akira on top of the lower tier. Come and join us. Our invite fell on water clogged ears.
Scrambling our way over loose rocks and blowdowns to the upper tier.
Photo with the raging 600′ gusher of a falls. Dramatic exaggeration for those that missed it.
Making our way back down loose rocks and trees. One tree gave way which resulted in Akira sliding down the hill before being stopped by a not so loose tree.
Chico checking to make sure the fellow hiker from Beijing is properly attired for the trail.
Heading back to the Pali Lookout just as rain showers started to sweep the area.
Kenny met us at the end and took our final group photo. Quite the artist.
Our waterfall hike covered 6.10 or 7.5 miles, depending on whom is tracking. Mad respect to everybody that came out for today’s adventure. Post hike meal at Kam Bowl, hyped as “Home of The Best Oxtail Soup Since 1965,” but the jury is still out, as some would argue Kapiolani Coffee Shop has the best oxtail soup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueMt-d-2uGU
Video by Edgar Gamiao of our irresponsible hike.
Photos/Crew taken by Akira Suzuki, Allison Banks, Ani Lagpacan, Chico Cantu, Edgar Gamiao, Marilyn Bermudez, 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.
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