Kunia to Kolekole Pass

by kenji SAITO on September 30, 2018

I joined Matt for a hike in his backyard today.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Nobody else showed up at the appointed time, so we pushed off into the farmlands.

Swing

Swing

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that give you the most happiness. But this is not one of them. LOL.

Kunia

Kunia

Going up the trail littered with forest detritus.

Honouliuli Contour Trail

Honouliuli Contour Trail

Briefly setting foot on the graded trail …

Spur Ridge

Spur Ridge

… before heading up the spur ridge.

Scenic spot

Scenic spot

Looking through the forest canopy across Wahiawa to the lagoon harbor and the iconic symbol of Hawaii.

Saddle

Saddle

Battling the overgrowth as we descended to the low point on the ridge.

Uluhell

Uluhell

What hike in Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without the clawing and scratching staghorn ferns?

Destination

Destination

We could see the mountain for the overgrowth.

Two-Minute Mark

Two-Minute Mark

No turning back now.

Spur Ridge

Spur Ridge

A short scramble was all that separated us from …

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

… the washed out area just shy of the summit of Kanehoa.

WST

WST

Matt decided to keep me company on the way to Kolekole Pass.

WST

WST

Looking back at missed opportunities.

WST

WST

Did we miss the trail?

WST

WST

Matt contouring his way around the ridge line.

WST

WST

Looking back at the exposed grey rock edifice sticking out like a sore thumb amidst all the green overgrowth.

WST

WST

Following the fence line. Photo by Matt Sorenson.

A-OK

A-OK

No complaining back here.

WST

WST

Fences for daze. Photo by Matt Sorenson.

WST

WST

Passing showers, not enough to melt.

WST

WST

Clouds on the left and windmills on the right. Photo by Matt Sorenson.

Lualualei Valley

Lualualei Valley

Looking back at the largest coastal plain that also has the tallest man made structures as well.

Pu'u Hapapa

Pu’u Hapapa

Standing on the 2,883′ squared summit.

Washout

Washout

The quickest but highly not recommended way down to Wahiawa. Photo by Matt Sorenson.

Hapapa Trail

Hapapa Trail

I always particularly liked the panoramic vista that this approach offered when dropping down from Pu’u Hapapa. Photo by Matt Sorenson.

Hapapa Trail

Hapapa Trail

Matt making his way down the ridge.

Notch

Notch

Climbing down the shallower and smaller cut in the ridge. Photo by Matt Sorenson.

Notch

Notch

Matt making his way down the deeper and bigger incision in the ridge.

The Gap

The Gap

Feeling small, insignificant and full of wonder.

Hapapa Trail

Hapapa Trail

Matt coming down the corridor of paperbark trees.

Hapapa Trail

Hapapa Trail

Overlooking the ridges, valleys and coastline.

Meadows

Meadows

Soaking in the views one last time. Photo by Matt Sorenson.

Kolekole Pass Stone

Kolekole Pass Stone

Dead tired. Don’t take it literally.

Instafamous

Instafamous

“You’re Matt? I follow you on IG!”

All pau

All pau

Our hike through the Waianae Mountains covered 5.4 miles through rugged terrain and raw scenery. Thanks again to Matt for showing me his “backyard.” Shout out to Mia for picking us up at the lowest point in the mountain range. Post hike meal at Popeye’s Chicken.

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.

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