Met up with Alex, Gary and Gen deep in Palolo Valley to loop a hidden crater nestled against the Ko’olau Range. Early hikers gets the limited parking spaces.
Trailhead
Going down the rabbit hole. Last time we took the wrong road and ran into two large dogs. Protective dogs. They are still around.
Going down
Making our way down the flagged trail.
Ginger Shampoo
Abundant awapuhi growing on the stream banks. Forget Paul Mitchell. Straight from the source.
Wai’oma’o stream
Morning yoga.
Water follows the arrow
We soon left the stream and followed the water pipe as it snaked through the lush forest.
Human picker
Catch! Alex tossing out mountain apples like they were free or something.
Landslide
The black pipe’s continuity was interrupted by white PVC piping, a testament to the power of Mother Nature.
Which one carries the water?
Crossing the new pipe to get over the old pipe.
Waterfall #1
We dropped down into the first waterfall.
Seeking the magic mushroom
Feed your head. Feed your head. Feed your head.
Going up
We climbed out of the waterfall and made our way up the rocky trail to the left.
Looking down
Water plunging down the 40′ fall.
Waterfall #2
Group photo left to right: Alex, myself, Gen and Gary.
Contour
We climbed the trail to the right and walked on tree branches to make our way up the cliff.
Memorial rock
Alex making his way around the bronze plaque dedicated to Heidi Marie Page.
Close to the edge
Water gushing over the 50′ fall and trickling down the valley stream.
Follow the stream
We followed the stream that lead us to…
Waterfall #3
…the longest and gradual of the waterfalls.
Kalo patch
Got poi?
Synchronized hiking
Gary and Gen crossing the waterfall.
Slippery when wet
Need rope? Maybe not.
End of the waterfalls
We soon crested the cascading falls and took the trail to the right to gain the ridge.
Ridgeline
Straight shot to the Ko’olaus.
Steep climb
The trail became steeper, muddier and sparsely vegetated as we neared the top.
Ko’olau Range
Looking towards Mount Olympus and points beyond.
Ka’au crater
The marsh filled crater that constantly feeds the waterfalls. One day I would like to paddle a small boat in there.
Cloudy Olomana
Checked out a couple windward ridges for future hikes.
2,395′ summit of Palikea
Afternoon siesta and yoga at the top.
KSRT
Traversing the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.
Another view
Peeking into the crater and the sprawling city of Honolulu beyond.
On the edge
Soaking in the cloudy views.
Zip line
If you build it, they will come. In droves.
Ridge hike
Hiking in the clouds towards the second power lines. Always a surreal experience.
Going down
Gary and Gen making their way down the ridgeline.
Connecting powerline
The trail soon leveled out. Easy peasy.
Barefoot hiking
Alex shed his shoes due to festering blisters as we took the ridge down that bypassed the waterfalls.
Rope vs branch
Whatever it takes to make your way down.
Pipe going down
The ridge dropped us back down into the stream trail.
Follow the arrow
Signs and ribbons sprinkled the trail like bread crumbs.
All pau
We came out of the canopy filtered trail and walked back to our cars.
GPS Tracks
The waterfalls, crater and ridge hike covered 5.33 miles. Post hike meal at Big City Diners. Side of Pad Thai.
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