Papali Ridge to Poamoho Trail

Chris and I spent the Labor Day weekend backpacking in the mountains. Thanks to Daryl for dropping us off.

Passing the revolving wall of graffiti.

Leaving the road behind us.

Views of the Hau’ula coastline and Laie Point to our left.

We left the loop trail to continue the climb up the ridge.

Gaining elevation through the uluhe ferns, which were surprisingly trimmed back. We found out later that some fellow hiking friends had cleared it earlier for their upcoming backpacking hike. Lucky us.

Humping up the rollercoaster ridge.

We followed the ridge line as it curved to the left towards the mountains.

Looking ahead to the saddle crossing.

Even our boonie hats took a break in the field of flowers.

Looking back at the sweeping views of the Windward coastline.

Our first contact with the sprawling fence line.

The trail down to Kaluanui Stream. Not today.

Hiking through the wide open swath made possible by the recently installed fence line.

We hopped over the fence to take in a brief look at this waterfall nestled back in the valley.

Passing a moss-ified ohia tree on the trail.

Strolling to the summit.

Standing on the Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST).

We meet again. Last time we saw this particular pua’a (pig), it had recently passed and was lying next to a tree on the other side of the fence. Somebody staked its skull to the fence post.

Going off the reservation. The KST reservation.

Trying my (un)successful best to avoid sinking into the mud. At least I didn’t sink waist deep, like on one of our last visits. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Chris pausing to soak in the views of the Waianae Mountains.

We arrived at the recently painted cabin shortly before 3pm. What time is check in?

It was one of the best feelings to exchange our mud soaked shoes for slippers, that I just had to jump for joy. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Watching the sun rays poking through the clouds and dancing across the land.

Fiery sunset on the North Shore.

Cabin life lit by a flickering candle that needs to be replaced soon.

Morning bowel movement view.

We checked out at 8am. Mahalo for the hospitality!

Extreme hula hooping. Forget plastic hoops, hikers do it with metal hoops.

Following the fence back to the gate.

Back on the KST. Photo by Chris Bautista.

The rugged peaks of Manamana, Kanehoalani and Ohulehule poking out above the ridge line.

Chris passing through another gate.

It was a beautiful day to be in the mountains.

Chris dropped down the fence line to follow the barely moist stream bed.

Standing on top of a trickling waterfall. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Jaw dropping views of the valleys kept us company.

Crossing the fence to get to the other fence.

Talks of exploring the overgrown and presumably lost trail soon fizzled out.

Seated and waiting to try on a pair of boots. Make that singular. Shoelaces not included.

Heading back into the jungle of uluhell ferns and assorted shrubs and trees.

The fence line soon split into two forks. Which one to take?

Outside the fence line.

Inside the fence line.

The contour below the ridge line is now fenced off. The gate is there if you look hard enough, otherwise climb over the fence.

Hikers version of the fidget spinner.

Chris getting off the ridge and fence line.

Pitching tent at the summit for strictly photographic purposes.

Chris climbed the hill to catch a better perspective.

Clear day at the 2,520′ summit.

Chris standing on one of the spur ridges looking down into the stunning valley views.

Leaving the breathtaking summit. I think over two hours was enough.

Passing the gulch on our right.

Transitioning from the unmaintained to the maintained trail.

The trail going down was surprisingly bone dry. No complaints here.

Is that our ride? Wishful thinking.

I switched to auto pilot going down the mentally and physically numbing road. One foot in front of the other. Repeat until needed.

Our forward progress was momentarily halted by a rather large black cow that had planted herself squarely in the middle of the road and wasn’t budging. I waited for Chris to catch up as he had shed his red shirt as some cows were following him. We soon edged around the cow to resume walking down the road and thought we had saw the last of that heifer. We were sadly mistaken. Taking a break at the second gate, we heard loud bellowing and saw the same black cow had followed us! We climbed through the barbed wire to the other road and the cow soon lost interest.

No sign of the black cow. The red ninja hiker kept us safe. Mahalo to Dale and Kamalani for picking us up on short notice.

Our two day hike through some of the most scenic trails on the island covered 16.72 miles. Not a bad way to spend the weekend with good company. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse. Prime rib is what’s for dinner. Moooo!

Note: I have been made aware the 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: army cabin, castle falls, castle trail, haaula valley, kahana valley, koolau summit trail, kst, maakua ridge trail, opaeula cabin, papali ridge, plantation road, poamoho summit, poamoho trail, punaluu valley, waianae mountain range