Aiea to Pacific Palisades

by kenji SAITO on May 29, 2021

Met up with Lilyn and Quan for a camping weekend in the mountains. It turned out to be a shorter stay than expected. Photo by Art Young.

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea Loop Trail

Stepping foot on the popular trail as it already started filling up with trail runners and casual hikers. Thanks to Allison for shuttling us to the trailhead.

Junction

Junction

Trading the wider trail for a narrower one. Why are our packs so heavy? Perhaps because we are camping?

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Passing through introduced and native trees on the trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

We are going that way. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pu'u Kawipo'o

Pu’u Kawipo’o

The views were still holding steady as we paused at the 2,441′ peak.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Quan standing on top of the grassy clearing with commanding views of the Windward side. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

Looking back at the Leeward side with its multiple ridges leading to the summits.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

Group photo at the 2,805′ top with uncommonly clear views of the Windward side.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Beginning our roller coaster ride on the ridgeline.

Valley of the Temples

Valley of the Temples

A cramp perhaps of spiritual design directed somebody’s gaze to where her parents are buried. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

KSRT

KSRT

Lilyn contouring her way past another powerline tower.

KSRT

KSRT

The summit of Waimalu seemed so close, yet so far away. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Climbing our way up … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

… to enjoy the valley views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Lilyn preparing for colder temperatures that thankfully never materialized.

KSRT

KSRT

The ups and downs seemed to go on and on. Cardio city.

KSRT

KSRT

The panoramic views never get old.

KSRT

KSRT

Are we there yet? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimalu Summit

Waimalu Summit

Our second summit of the day which turned out to be our last as we were running out of daylight.

Camp Waimalu

Camp Waimalu

We pitched our tents and settled in for the sunset that never quite showed up.

Camp Manana

Camp Manana

However, it did show up for Aida and Art who were camped on Manana Ridge. Lucky them. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Camp Manana

Camp Manana

Camping night lights. Photo by Art Young.

Camp Waimalu

Camp Waimalu

Somebody was “volunteered” to take our night lights.

Camp Waimalu

Camp Waimalu

The morning moon greeted us rather than the sun peeking out from the mountains.

Waimalu Meadows

Waimalu Meadows

Hikers in the morning mist.

Slip'n'Fall

Slip’n’Fall

Pictures or it never happened. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimalu Meadows

Waimalu Meadows

Hiking down into the clouds. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimalu Meadows

Waimalu Meadows

The girls coming down the spongy ground.

Waimalu Meadows

Waimalu Meadows

And then just like that, Mother Nature snapped her fingers and lifted the cloud veil. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimalu Meadows

Waimalu Meadows

Our individual and not collective photographic memories of the meadows.

Water Cooler Talk

Water Cooler Talk

Somebody just had to get past the off-putting color and floating dead bugs to taste the H20.

Waimalu Meadows

Waimalu Meadows

One last look around at this magical and mythical place before we took our leave. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Waving from the edge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Leaving the largest meadows on the KST behind us.

KSRT

KSRT

Quan enjoying a wide section of the trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waimano Summit

Waimano Summit

Panoramic view of from the 2,160′ top of Waihe’e Valley bordered by the toothy ridges of Kalahaku and Eleao Windward.

Waimano Summit

Waimano Summit

Our parting group photo as the girls decided to cut short the hike and go down the seven mile graded trail.

KSRT

KSRT

Crossing over the landslide section. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking down into the saddle as the girls saw me off on what turned out to be an abbreviated journey for myself as well.

Eleao Meadows

Eleao Meadows

Following the fence line as it lead me through the bowl shaped grassy field.

Manana Summit

Manana Summit

Aida enjoying another uncommon view from the 2,660′ knob, before she made her way down. Photo by Art Young.

Manana Summit

Manana Summit

The heat had gotten the better of me, so I decided to go down Manana instead.

Manana Summit

Manana Summit

Art being recalled from the semi-dry watering hole.

Manana Ridge Trail

Manana Ridge Trail

Traversing our way through the multiple humps on the ridge. Where is Aida?

Manana Ridge Trail

Manana Ridge Trail

Passing through the gate with no latch and the 3.5 mile marker. Photo by Art Young.

Manana Trail

Manana Trail

We left behind the countless false peaks and enjoyed the relatively flat trail as we made our way out.

Yellow Bird

Yellow Bird

Just glad it wasn’t us being airlifted. Even though we might have appreciated the ride.

All pau

All pau

Who wants to be my Popeyes? Thanks to Tessa who picked us up and brought ice cold beverages. Photo by Art Young.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our camping hike covered roughly 13.5 miles, give or take. It seems the mileage varies with what GPS unit is tracking the hike. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where Lilyn, Narissa and Quan joined us. We were then segregated based on our odorous scents. At least oxtail soup was still on the menu. Fun weekend with good friends.

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.

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