Makapu’u to Dead Man’s Catwalk

I picked up where I left off from last week to finish connecting the dots along with Chico, Scott and Susan who joined me today.

Makapu’u

Chico was running fashionably late or in local parlance, Hawaiian time.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Susan soaking in the Southeastern views of the island.

KSRT

Chico basking in the natural and artificial illumination sources that have been around over 4.603 billion and 116 years respectively.

KSRT

Shadows and hikers in the mountains.

KSRT

Chico and Susan climbing their way up the hill with background views of Manana (Rabbit) and Kaohikaipu (Black Rock) islands.

KSRT

Making our way along the edge of the cliffs.

KSRT

Standing on what I like to call Hawaii’s Stonehenge rocks.

KSRT

Got room for one more and one more only.

KSRT

Susan looking back at the hill we had just come down from.

Makapu’u Puka

Stopping at the natural puka (hole) in the mountains that frames the coastline for picturesque views.

Makapu’u Puka

Looking out.

Makapu’u Puka

Looking back.

Makapu’u Puka

Chico topside.

KSRT

Scrambling over the rocks as we climbed out of the saddle.

KSRT

Making our way over the uneven rocks stacked on the mountain.

KSRT

Sitting in a cave. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. Oh wait, wrong rhyme and missing Dave to make it work.

KSRT

Scott climbing up the stiff part. Somebody called it hazing. I believe she was referring to the atmospheric conditions which reduces sky clarity or apparently mental clarity in this case.

KSRT

Approaching the first hang gliding platform. It has seen better days.

KSRT

I believe I can fly. Get a hang glider first.

KSRT

Scrambling down to find a better vantage point.

KSRT

Not all hikers wear capes. It would probably help in this case.

KSRT

Group photo on the hang gliding platform that some folks have erroneously attached the name “Dead Man’s Catwalk” to it. The original slab of concrete that somebody had spray painted “Dead Man’s Catwalk” was jackhammered out of existence in 2016 to the tune of $48,000.

Kamehame Trail

Shouldn’t the arrow point the other way? We were going to go further to Kaimiloiki Summit but prior commitments dictated an earlier descent.

All pau

We ended our short stroll in the mountains to find out security has been installed at the bottom of the trail to keep out people for the time being. It was a knee jerk reaction by the area’s association after a trampoline video went viral last month. I know this impacts a lot of local residents in the area that walk this road for their morning or evening constitutionals. I drove to Waimanalo after our hike to pick up imo one of the tastiest laulaus from Ma LauLau, only open from 10-2 on Saturdays.

Photos taken by Chico Cantu, Scott Peterson, Susan Katz, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Tagged as: koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, makapuu, makapuu puka