Mokuleia to Mount Ka’ala

by kenji SAITO on August 22, 2021

Lack of a 4×4 ride resulted in additional cardio for our hike today. Thanks to Robert for dropping Art, Lilyn and myself off on the side of the highway where a directionally challenged, sunrise seeking person stopped by to give us greetings instead of a ride.

Mokuleia Road

Mokuleia Road

Group photo by Aida Gordon, left to right: Art, myself and Lilyn.

Mokuleia Road

Mokuleia Road

I didn’t know Biki had a station way out here.

Mokuleia Road

Mokuleia Road

Sometimes I don’t know if I’m coming or going. Photo by Art Young.

Mokuleia Road

Mokuleia Road

When you got to go, you got to go. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Mokuleia Road

Mokuleia Road

We could soon finally see the pine trees for the camping grounds. Photo by Art Young.

Peacock Flats

Peacock Flats

The end of our 3.5 mile hike up the road. Photo by Art Young.

Peacock Flats

Peacock Flats

Don’t we know that red-headed stepchild? Photo by Art Young.

Mokuleia Trail

Mokuleia Trail

Stepping foot on a trail that is part of the sprawling 658 acres of the Pahole Natural Area Reserve.

Mokuleia Trail

Mokuleia Trail

The trees were fruiting but not quite ready for picking.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Climbing up the short stretch to gain the ridge line.

WST

WST

Bench with a view of Makua Valley. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

Only one hour to the next summit?

WST

WST

Post with a view. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

Pushing our way through the endemic overgrowth.

Three Corners

Three Corners

You can’t be in two places at the same time. But you can be in three places at the same time. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

Swimming in overgrowth. At least it was native. Photo by Art Young.

WST

WST

We soon could see the road for the overgrowth. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

WST

WST

Trying to take a video and climbing down a steep fence is harder than it looks. Photo by Art Young.

Ka'ala Road

Ka’ala Road

Hiking koan. Two reflections and one hiker. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ka'ala Road

Ka’ala Road

Walking up the paved road. At least it wasn’t cluttered with native overgrowth.

Ka'ala Road

Ka’ala Road

Art admiring the views of the nearby valleys and ridges. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ka'ala Road

Ka’ala Road

Halfway there. Photo by Art Young.

Mount Ka'ala

Mount Ka’ala

Somebody finally lucked out with a view from the top but struck out on the bathroom. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Mount Ka'ala

Mount Ka’ala

Anybody in there that can give us a ride back down? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ka'ala Bog

Ka’ala Bog

The sign took the words out of somebody’s mouth. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Ka'ala Bog

Ka’ala Bog

Looking for endemic fauna. Not very successful I might add.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Our view as we descended from the highest peak on the island. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

The tree was just waiting for somebody to belt out the rendition made famous by a certain yawyaw.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Art descending down the steeper section of the trail.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Taking the easy way down. Photo by Art Young.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

I don’t think this is what bouldering is all about.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Following the fence line to its lowest point on the saddle. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Three Poles

Three Poles

Leaving the ridge line for the verdant valley.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Skipping and sliding down the leaf covered trail.

All pau

All pau

We met some hunters coming up the road. One was more heavily armed and less camouflaged than the others. We also found out that three cars had been victims of “smash and grab.” Not to be confused with DoorDash.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our 12 plus mile hike started with a long road and ended with a long road that was filled in between with great scenery and good company. Thanks to Quan for picking us up and saving us a visit from Safelite AutoGlass. Post hike meal at Ono Steak & Shrimp as the Puerto Rican eateries were closed on Sunday.

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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