Mount Ka’ala to Star Trek

Met up with Lilyn and Marilyn to boldly go to the two highest peaks on the island and down the path where many a (wo)man has gone before. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Thanks to Leander for dropping us off deep in the valley. We also met up with Dale’s group and trudged up the much maligned service road. Light rain showers kept the temperature down and the grounds saturated.

All smiles as we started on the trail and took a group photo left to right: myself, Marilyn, Lilyn, Chongsuk, Dale, Almira and Jan.

Leaving the shelter, we met up with Kyle’s group. Ka’ala was the place to be on this Kamehameha Day holiday.

Crossing the dry streambed. The waterfalls were parched and thirsty.

Pushing up the slippery slope of carpeted wet leaves and rooted ground.

Seeking shelter or shade. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

I wouldn’t hike with you guys. Seriously! Other hikers were heard muttering in the drizzling rain “Let’s go hiking they said. They said it would be fun.” Heavy on the sarcasm.

Looking over to the next crumbly ridge that also leads to the highest mountain.

Pulling ourselves up the fenced ridgeline as the ascent got a tad steeper.

Climbing our way up and over the somewhat slick boulders.

Laddering my way up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The girls climbing their way up the rock punctuated trail.

Smack dab in an ancient Hawaiian rain forest that’s perched on top of the 4,025′ flat summit of Ka’ala. The native lobelia plants seemed to be in full bloom.

Treading our way carefully through what was once a fishpond, according to some historical accounts.

The 1,100 acres of the Mount Ka’ala Natural Area Reserve encompasses 12 ecosystems, 208 native plant groups and 11 native animal groups. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

We soon found the fence and followed it out of the mist soaked plateau … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

… and descended our way down a sliver of a ridge into the clouds.

Marilyn lowering herself down the mossy covered boulders. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Threading our way carefully through the tangled mess of ropes and webbing.

Swinging to the other side of the rock. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Marilyn standing against the backdrop of jumbled boulders that we had contoured and climbed our way down. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pushing our way through the thorny overgrowth as we picked up the fence line again. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Break time!

Switching from the ridge line to the fence line as we made our way across the rugged terrain. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Marilyn climbing down through a break in the fenced ridge line.

Lowering ourselves down to a sliver of a ledge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Marilyn climbing up the crumbly rockface. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn standing in for Tessa. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Group photo at the second highest peak on the island that stands at 3,504′ tall. Robbed of the views again.

Dropping down the ridgeline where the views of Lualualei and Waianae Valleys opened up.

Marilyn standing on one of the few barren spots on the ridgeline. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

We all had another bite to eat before hopping the fence and looking for a trail down. Any trail. Will the real trail stand up? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Looking for the next tree or grass to grab.

Following the trail that was marked with black webbing. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn coming down a steep section.

Contouring our way down the ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Group photo on the edge where you can’t see the depth for the trees.

Marilyn going down the steep pocket. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Walking under the heavily bowed trees.

Following the scattered green bottlecaps on our way out.

Crossing Honua Stream? on our way out.

Climbing up the small hill bordered with irritating California grass where we soon hit the junction shared by Hobbs.

Yay, it’s still daylight! Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

It was barely a hop, skip , and jump once we hit the service road before we found ourselves back at the parking lot. Mahalo to Leander for picking us back up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Our hike to the roof of the Hawaiian skies and down the trail where no views existed covered a little over seven miles. Post hike meal at Coquito’s. Fun hike with good friends.

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.

Tagged as: lualualei valley, mount kaala, puu kalena, star trek ridge, waianae mountain range, waianae summit trail, waianae valley, wst