Aiea to Poamoho

I spent the weekend in the mountains celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

Day 1

Walking under the moonlight with nothing but feral cats and nothing else I hope to keep me company. Thanks to Marilyn for dropping me off.

Leaving the loop trail as I caught a glimpse of the interstate highway that is not connected to other states but built to the same standards.

This was pretty much my last view at the 2,441′ summit as I continued my climb towards the top of the ridge line.

Looking back at the power-line tower that I contoured to get back on the ridge.

Cloudy and rainy at the 2,805′ summit. Just another day in the Ko’olau Mountains.

I followed the HECO (local utility) ropes down the knee high overgrowth and muddy trail as I approached the second power line tower.

The constant drizzle and moisture laden clouds kept the peaks and dips of the ridge sufficiently saturated.

Descending down towards the largest meadow on the Ko’olau Mountains where brisk winds and rain kept my stay short.

Climbing out of the meadow as I looked back at the native palm trees dotting the landscape.

The strong winds intermittently punched through the clouds to tantalize me with Windward views.

Dropped down to the 2,160′ summit in the saddle and left my John Hancock in the bauble of a log.

Climbing up to the fence line to find that there is now a gate that makes it easier to navigate in socked in conditions.

Somebody must have plucked one of these dew kissed crimson flowers from an ohia tree. In Hawaiian mythology, Ohia (tree) and Lehua (flower) were two lovers who were turned into local flora by a jealous Pele (Goddess of Fire). It is said that if you pick the flower from the tree, then the skies will be filled with rain, much like today.

Reaching the 2,660′ knob where my stay was cut short due to nothing to write home about.

Scooping up water in the bug and foam filled creek.

The weather finally started to break apart as I approached the Waiawa Gap.

I had my fill of the rainy ridge conditions and decided to make camp at the flattest spot I could find on the ridge.

Day 2

The next day was quite a change from yesterday. The sun was out and the clouds were high in the sky. Picture perfect.

Dropping down through the grove of Loulu palm trees.

Looking towards the Waianae Mountains in the middle of the field of flowers that were swarming with bees.

Enjoying the views after I lost my brand new phone on the trail which I luckily recovered and then the wind plucked the cap off my head. Needless to say, my enthusiasm to continue the hike had been considerably dampened.

Passing the summit of Kipapa as I left behind the ridge trail.

Relaxing in the middle of the stand of Japanese Sugi pine trees.

Pushing my way through the knee to shoulder high overgrowth on the trail.

Approaching the backside of the horizontal leaning Japanese Sugi.

Enjoying an uncommonly clear day at this spot.

Pulling myself up the fence line with Windward background views.

Looking back at the trail system that contours it way through the mountains.

The peaks of Manana, Ohulehule and Kanehoalani in the distance.

Shadow hiker.

The unmatched 2,360′ summit view of the valleys of Kahana, Ka’a’awa, Hakipu’u and Waikane.

Looking down into the ridge that drops down into Kahana Valley.

Traversing the trail that was blasted out of the side of the mountains back in the 1930s.

One of multiple gates on the trail meant to keep out the foraging pigs.

I was expecting solitude at the oldest cabin on the KST and instead found two hikers that I knew and two others along with their dogs. Quite a pleasant surprise.

Day 3

Cabin companions. We soon all went our separate ways as Dana and Shari were going down Schofield-Waikane and Jon and Marissa were going down Pauao trail. I decided to not continue towards Laie and took the easy way down after Jon gave me the combination to the gate.

Hiking over the cloud soaked boardwalk.

I bypassed the wind swept and socked in 2,520′ summit and hurried down the mud soaked trail.

HTMC and other parties did a remarkable job in repairing the landslide ravaged trail.

Shout out to Andy for picking me up on the road like the dirty hitchhiker that I was.

The end of my hike did not reach the planned destination but it was time still well spent in the mountains. Photo by Andreas Wiegand.

My three day hike covered almost 28 miles through the most cardio intensive and scenic stretch of the Ko’olau Mountains. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse, where we came too early for the prime rib.

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.

Tagged as: aiea loop trail, aiea ridge trail, aiea summit, corner, eleao meadows, kipapa summit, koolau summit ridge trail, koolau summit trail, ksrt, kst, manana summit, pauao junction, poamoho cabin, poamoho trail, puu kawipoo, schofield-waikane summit, waiahole summit, waiawa gap, waimalu meadows, waimano summit