Met up with Chris, Justin, Ryan and Thessa to loop the Bear Claw ridges. Many thanks to Bob for letting us park at the ranch. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Trailhead
No canned messages greeted us this morning.
Trailhead
We didn’t run across any HECO workers as well.
Left Fork
The climbing begins. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Left Fork
Making my way up the pipe section. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Left Fork
Hello there.
Left Fork
Ryan scrambling up. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Left Fork
Those trees sure do come in handy.
Junction
Left meets Right. Panoramic view from the top.
Bear Claw Ridge
Mushroom rock. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Bear Claw Ridge
Straight to the summit.
Bear Claw Ridge
To the left, to the right, now kick, hike it by yourself. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Bear Claw Ridge
Group photo by Justin Hirako, top to bottom: Ryan, Chris, myself, Thessa and Justin.
Bear Claw Ridge
Ryan about to climb a section, where another long respected hiker fell to his death.
Bear Claw Ridge
Ryan at the top of the section. We still have to do something about the constant selfie problem on the ridges.
Bear Claw Ridge
Ryan coming over the ridge.
Bear Claw Ridge
Trying to outrace the clouds.
Bear Claw Ridge
Almost there.
Bear Claw Ridge
Climbing to the summit. Photo by Thessa Bugay.
Bear Claw Summit
Memorial to Les Merrell whose life was tragically cut short on this ridge.
Bear Claw Summit
Group photo by Justin Hirako.
Bear Claw Ridge
Going back down the ridge to spoon the other fork. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Bear Claw Ridge
The crew making their way down the somewhat steep section of the ridge.
Bear Claw Ridge
Okay, how do I get down? Photo by Justin Hirako.
Bear Claw Ridge
Contouring and climbing the ridge on our way down.
Bear Claw Ridge
Hikers, Ryan and Thessa, spotted on the ridge. Photo by Jake Kunuku.
Junction
Enjoying the views and the company. Photo by Ryan Leano.
Right Fork
Top view. Photo by Ryan Leano.
Right Fork
Bottom view.
Right Fork
Chris about to climb down and swing over.
Right Fork
Thessa making her way down.
Right Fork
Ryan dropping down the ridge. Photo by Justin Hirako.
Right Fork
The rest of the ridge down was marked by heavy overgrowth and rocky sections.
Waimanalo
Hear that? That’s the Doberman dogs that Bob warned us about. So what’s the plan? Photo by Justin Hirako.
Who let the dogs out?
We came down from the mountain and of all the places that we could cross, was the farm that the dogs called home. One of them came right up to me. Nice doggy. Hey, where did everybody go? Luckily the owner was on site and had the dogs under control. No rabies shot for me.
All pau
Beers in a cooler. Thanks Bob. Cars still intact. Thanks Bob. What more could one ask for after a hike?
GPS Tracks
Our 2.8 mile loop hike was filled with stellar views, rocky climbs and good fun all around. Post hike meal at Outback’s. Seems they always seat us at the same table. Perhaps this is where they put smelly and disheveled people that pass themselves off as hikers?
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.
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