Bolohead to King Kong Ridge

That once in a blue moon struck again this weekend as Team BASK and friends met up for a hike on the West side. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Thanks to Mike for dropping Analyn, Bill, Ferlino, Lilyn, Shirley and myself off at the trailhead.

Most of us put our heads down as we trudged up the service road, while some of us held their heads up high. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Time to leave the road and hit the trail that was …

… marked with yellow arrow …

… and bottlecaps.

Leaving the trail as we started our way up the rocky ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Gaining elevation as we left behind the forest canopy. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Bill and Shirley scrambling up the ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Turning around for views of Waianae and Lualualei Valleys and the coastline.

Preparing to assume my rightful seat … Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

… until I was dethroned. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

The group preparing to traverse the somewhat skinny dike while holding aloft a GoPro to record said activity.

Activity recorded. Photo by Bill Yogi.

Making our way to the first hump on the ridge. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Now I know what it feels like to be on a short leash. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

Lilyn climbing her way up. Webbing optional.

Contact with the fence line in the middle of the ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The burning bush had spoken and halted progress for some in our group that would descend back down to the valley.

Drone photos by Bill Yogi. Still waiting for mines.

Ferlino hopping over the fence. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Topping out at the not so bolohead rock face. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ferlino pulling himself up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Climbing down the backside of the rock face. Somebody said it didn’t look that high. It’s all about perspective. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn making her way down while looking for her next foothold.

Analyn and Ferlino leaving the rock face behind them. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Scrambling our way up the steep flank of the mountain. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Looking back at the ridge we had just traversed. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Following the sound to the waterfall. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Standing on the scenic rock or something close to it. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Climbing up the rock slide. One way. Fingers crossed. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn pulling herself up while trying to avoid a flashback.

We soon traded in the hot and harsh conditions for a more refrigerated one. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Analyn and Ferlino crossing through the wetland. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Dropping down the fence as we crossed a small stream. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Following the fence line through the overgrowth.

The end of the fence. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Walking on the boardwalk that cuts through over 1,000 acres that is home to native fauna and flora. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn leaving no leaf overturned in her search for native snails.

We ended our hike at the highest point on the island. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lunch in the drizzling rain. We soon moved to shelter to be fixated by a shiny ball. All that was missing was the disco music. Bill and Shirley soon rejoined the group.

Running reflections. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

The weeping wall. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Walking down the mist shrouded road during off peak hours. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear, left to right: Ferlino, Analyn, Lilyn, myself, Bill and Shirley. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Does this apply to ladders as well? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

We should have brought our hardhats. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

End of the road.

Going down the initial steep descent. Strawberry guava trees and faded webbing was most helpful. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The grade soon leveled off.

Going down a small rock face. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Analyn climbing her way down. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Looking for yellowjackets and the primate rock. Luckily, one was a no show. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Scrambling up the slippery rocks to get a better view from the top. Photo by Shirley Gloriani.

The resemblance still went unnoticed. Group photo on top of the pile of rocks.

Standing on the shoulders of primates.

Going down the very slippery slope.

Standing before the spirit cave which was formed when giant boulders landed on the side of the mountain. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

A couple of hikers hanging upside down.

Now we were flying down the trail like bats out of hell. Well some of us were, some were just trying to make it back before curfew.

Not all tree huggers are liberals.

Leaving the trail for the road. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The ponds were indeed icy for the three of us that took the plunge.

Crossing the stream where we took the less trodden trail to exit the valley. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Approaching the towers that were built in the 70’s.

The last picture of the hike. Fingers crossed. Photo by Bill Yogi.

Our ridge to ridge hike covered 9.72 miles with fun friends. Thanks to Bill’s family for picking us up and taking us back to our cars. Post hike meal at A&G Steaks & Things where we enjoyed Hawaiian food, live music and impromptu dancing.

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: bolohead ridge, kaala, king kong ridge, makaha valley, spirit cave, waianae summit trail, waianae valley, wst