Pipiwai Trail and Iao Needle

We hit up two of the most popular attractions on Maui that tourists visit while on the Valley Isle. Aren’t we all tourists to some degree? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

We broke down the hotel on wheels and gave up our prime parking so that other tourists could park here. Courtesy and hindsight go hand in hand. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Looking at the work of constant stream erosion that created these pools and waterfalls.

Catching the mauka and makai views. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

The stream draining out along the Kipahulu coastline.

Starting at the trail that means sprinkling water in Hawaiian and falls within the Haleakala National Park system.

The 200′ falls was mostly bone dry along with the infinity pool.

Stopping at the impressive banyan tree, which are the “alien” tree as they grow from seeds that land on other host trees. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Lady in red.

Trying to shake the monkeys off the tree. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

The state flower hanging over the empty trail. Where is everybody? The bridge construction further up the road had turned away the traffic from Hana. We pretty much had a private trail hike all to ourselves. An uncommon occurrence according to Matt.

Quan straddling one of two bridges on the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Looking down at Pipiwai Stream cascading over several small falls.

Tessa entering the first of three bamboo forests on the trail.

The view from the second bridge looking back towards Matt on the first one.

Getting our cardio workout as we made our way up the rock steps.

Walking through the second bamboo forest.

Quan jumping over the boardwalk that elevates you above the marshy ground. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Looking through the dense bamboo grass. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Tessa getting ready for another photoshoot. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Matt looking up at the bamboo forest that filters the sun and wind and plays nature’s symphony of light and sound.

Approaching the gorge that contains one of the larger waterfalls on the island.

No waiting in line today.

Looking up at the 400′ falls. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

The view from inside the “cave.”

Sheltered from falling water. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Pipiwai i ka ua nui, kaumaha i ka noe o Waimoku. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Aida approaching the rainbow that appeared at the base of the falls. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Matt and Quan getting wet under the rainbow. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Group photo in front of the falls that means “water that cuts, severs, amputates, or breaks in two.” Not a good place to be hanging around when heavy rain hits and the ensuing flash floods.

Making our way back to the stream crossing.

We followed Matt to another stream that he said was the “sister” falls to Waimoku.

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Climbing over some boulders. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Approaching another narrow gorge strewn with boulders of assorted sizes.

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Aida decided to enjoy the falls from the lower tier. Photo by Aida Gordon.

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Matt tasting the rainbow. Who wants some skittles? Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Do we have to photoshop Aida in the picture?

Taking our leave of the second and last waterfall for the day.

Rock hopping our way back down.

Going back on the boardwalk we finally started to see other hikers on the trail. Our private showing was over.

Always remember your roots and don’t talk to strange men on the trail. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Driving on the “highway” around the rugged coastline that is bordered by mountains on one side and steep drop offs on the other side. The road will never be the same. Oh wait, we are not driving an Acura. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Matt still talking to strange men. Bad habits are hard to break. Bumbai he gonna learn.

Post hike meal on the slopes of Haleakala where the honor system gets you entry to the outdoor garden and brick oven fired pizza.

After lunch, we drove to a valley rich in history, culture and natural beauty.

The Battle of Kepaniwai (damming of waters) took place in this valley in 1790 where Kamehameha landed his fleet in Kahului and advanced towards the Maui army lead by Kalanikupule and eventually defeated Kalanikupule and his men after the third day with assistance from English canons. The battle was so bloody that the fallen warriors clogged the stream and the waters “ran red with the blood of the dead.”

Looking at the 1,200′ basaltic ridge that is actually only a “needle” if looked at a certain angle.

We took our final group photo of the weekend and then drove back to the airport to fly home. Another fun weekend in the books. Thanks again to Matt for getting the rolling hotel on wheels and showing us around The Valley Isle.

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPcE-qjraTI

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: bamboo forest, iao needle, kuka'emoku, pipiwai trail, waimoku falls