Kaena Point to Mount Ka’ala

by kenji SAITO on August 15, 2015

Back in the Waianae Mountains. Joining me on today’s trek were Gen and Jose. Others were doing the Spartan race this weekend. We had our own Spartan race in the mountains today.

Trailhead

Trailhead

We arrived early to beat the rush hour hiker traffic.

Junk Beach

Junk Beach

Where old trucks go off the railroad tracks to die.

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve

We skirted the fence, that protects the fauna and flora populating one of the last sand dune ecosystems in the islands, to the base of the mountain.

Memorial

Memorial

I hopped into a somewhat obscure cave at the base, that is home to a memorial for Les Merrell, a well known hiker who unfortunately perished on Bear Claw several years ago. The heat and humidity dictated a short stay as we still had a long day ahead of us. A very long day.

Scrambling

Scrambling

Jose and Gen climbing up the rocky ascent sparsely covered with dry shrubs.

First bunker

First bunker

Don’t fall in the hole.

Hiking to the top

Hiking to the top

Enjoying the shade while it lasted.

Second bunker

Second bunker

Group photo left to right: Gen, myself and Jose. Somebody forgot their sunglasses.

Waianae sun

Waianae sun

Hiking on the sunny exposed ridge.

Kaena Notch

Kaena Notch

No shaka and double shaka.

Panoramic view

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Area 51

Area 51

Approaching the Kaena Point Tracking Station.

Carrion flowers

Carrion flowers

Nothing like the smell of rotting flesh to start off your hike. Inhale deeply.

Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station

Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station

Sorry, no tours today.

Life imitating art

Life imitating art

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

Life failing art

Life failing art

Let’s try again, shall we? Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

Satellite Tracking Station Road

Satellite Tracking Station Road

Just out for a Saturday walk. No jumping in the bushes today.

Radome

Radome

Tracking space objects since 1959. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

Walk the line

Walk the line

I am not drunk. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

Detour

Detour

We had no desire to catch the Yokohama Express, so we rang the bell and got off the beaten path.

Bushwhacking

Bushwhacking

Enjoying the back country of the North Shore.

Scouting

Scouting

The coast is clear. Pays to wear a camouflage boonie hat. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Back on the road again

Back on the road again

We popped back on the road and checked for traffic before continuing our hike.

Kuaokala trail

Kuaokala trail

Waiting for somebody to open the gate. Got permit?

Wide trails

Wide trails

Jose going up the expansive tree lined road.

Wakey wakey eggs and bakey

Wakey wakey eggs and bakey

Just have to find a pig now. A very, very small one.

Trail

Trail

The wide road eventually narrowed to a footpath that contoured along the Makua Valley.

Gated view

Gated view

Gen enjoying the views. Time to move along now. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

The fence line

The fence line

The fence are becoming the invasive species, invading the mountains to control the invasive species. Irony.

Looking back

Looking back

Leaving Kaena Point and her golf balls behind us.

Share the trail

Share the trail

Yield to hikers or was that the other way around?

Back at the fence

Back at the fence

We soon left the main trail and headed back up to regain the fence line.

Follow the cable

Follow the cable

We briefly left the fence line to make our way up the hill.

Moku

Moku

All shoes on the geodisc marker. Hey, no mud today. We must be on the West side.

Supply shed

Supply shed

Gen looking through the supply of condoms and KY jelly. What goes on up here in these mountains? Get a cabin.

Rolling ridges

Rolling ridges

No signs of civilization as far as the eye can see.

Pahole Natural Area Reserve

Pahole Natural Area Reserve

Entering the fenced area that protects 658 acres of native fauna and flora from feral pigs, rats and other invasive species.

Almost there

Almost there

Somebody started saying that. Wasn’t going to be the last time.

See the sign?

See the sign?

Not all of us have 20/5 vision.

Mokuleia lookout

Mokuleia lookout

Group photo with Makua Valley in the background.

Almost there

Almost there

The broken record kept on playing.

Up and down

Up and down

The fence was an unsightly blight on the terrain, but it provided useful handholds and as an obvious navigational aid.

The Glove

The Glove

Michael Jackson has left the mountains. The WST answer to the KST boot.

Three Corners

Three Corners

Group shot with Makaha Valley in the background.

Three Corners

Three Corners

Looking towards Mokuleia Valley.

Three Corners

Three Corners

Another view of Makua Valley.

Back to the fence

Back to the fence

We resumed our hike after a short break and lunch by following the fence towards Mount Ka’ala. Almost there.

Goodbye fence

Goodbye fence

The fence was soon replaced with a wide swath of thick uluhe and overgrowth. Bring back the fence.

Kaala Road

Kaala Road

We eventually dropped down from the ridge onto Mount Ka’ala Road. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Uphill

Uphill

The long boring road. Hard on our feet. The only saving grace was the mountain views. While it lasted.

Double tuck

Double tuck

We ran into a fellow hiker on the road. He looked somewhat familiar.

Got water?

Got water?

Running out of liquid nourishment. Time to share. Thanks Gen.

Last scenic point

Last scenic point

Looking out at the Kawailoa Wind Farm before the cloud deck dropped.

Hiker in the mist

Hiker in the mist

Gen walking up the road towards one of the smaller relay stations. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Mount Ka'ala

Mount Ka’ala

We are here!

Bog walker

Bog walker

Walking through the bog under twilight cloudy conditions. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Bouldering

Bouldering

Racing to beat the sun.

City lights

City lights

Twinkling lights of Waianae Valley.

Sunset

Sunset

Enjoying the sunset as we made our way down to Three Poles junction.

Night hiking

Night hiking

Coming down from the highest mountain on the island.

Star gazing

Star gazing

When we arrived at the paved road, we sprawled down to enjoy the night skies and …

Creepy crawlers

Creepy crawlers

…then we realized we were sharing the road with all these critters.

Light show

Light show

Twerking the glow light fantastic.

All pau

All pau

Now all we needed was a spooky story and roasted marshmallows to end our hike. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

The scenic and very long hike covered 18.76 miles, made bearable by good company. Post hike meal at Jack in the Box. It was the closest. 24/7 breakfast. We found out that a chronic had helped himself to some of Gen’s gas. Hope he got a severe case of indigestion.

Leave a Comment

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Gen November 7, 2015 at 6:48 pm

OMG! I love love this hike. Miss you. Suckah!

Gotta finish the last section.

Reply

kenji SAITO November 9, 2015 at 10:12 am

Yup, that was a fun and long hike and we all know your predilection with sucking things. Time is ticking for you to finish the last section. Happy Birthday to my fellow weirdo!

Reply

Robin November 24, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Very nice trail hike

Reply

kenji SAITO November 24, 2015 at 12:44 pm

Aloha Robin,
Yup, it was a very nice and scenic hike. You should hit it up if you haven’t, but be prepared for a long day. Thanks for visiting.
Mahalo

Reply

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