I decided to repeat a section of the KST that we had just done three weeks ago. With one difference, as I did not have company to share the misery this time around. Thanks to Anne for dropping me off.
Jeep Road
I’m just glad we were chasing the cow and not the other way around.
Trailhead
Mahalo to Edgar for driving me up the jeep road that saved me over five miles of wear and tear.
Welcome to Poamoho
I picked up my pace as the summit looked clear. I hope that I would not be subjected to Mother Nature’s bait and switch.
Poamoho Summit
The windy lookout did not fail to disappoint or deliver.
Poamoho Cabin
I stopped briefly at the weathered cabin to add my entry to the storied logbook and filled up my two liter bladder for the weekend.
Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)
No matter how many times I’ve set foot on this trail, these views never get old.
Hiking Trail
Just missing the hiking stick.
Schofield-Waikane Summit
Soaking in another great scenic point with more ridges and peaks that you can shake a hiking stick at. Except I didn’t have a hiking stick.
Waikane-Waiahole Junction
Passing over landslides, uneven terrain and false holes before taking the higher road.
Waianae Range
Leeward views of the Waianae Mountain Range etched against the background sky. Maybe I picked the wrong range to hike this weekend.
KST
Crossing back over to the Windward side.
Sugi Cedar Grove
Making my way down into the magical valley of moss covered evergreen trees that have been twisted and shaped by Mother Nature.
Tree of Life
I am not camping here again.
Waiahole Summit
Standing in the sheltered campsite with coils of rusted wire and cabin pieces at my feet.
Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)
Back on the ridge line where the clouds had settled in for the night.
Campsite
My hopes for a scenic sunset were smothered in clouds, so I decided to call it a day and pitch my tent. Besides my eyes were already closed.
Waiawa Gap
Woke up on Veteran’s Day to find out that the clouds were still outside my tent. No sunrise views for me.
Waiawa Dip
Losing hundreds of feet in elevation resulted in me getting below the clouds and enjoying some valley and coastal views.
Waiawa Gap
I made a hurried climb up the ridge to avoid another stinging experience and escaped unscathed.
Uluhell
It’s frustrating how the overgrowth just bounces back no matter how many hikers have trampled through these trails. In some circles, it’s called character building.
Eleao Windward
Looking down at the cloud wrapped windward ridge, one of the hardest hikes I have experienced to date.
Manana Summit
White out conditions persisted upon reaching the hilltop at 1045. Early lunch.
Eleao Meadows
Passing this hardy specimen of the trematolobelia singularis on the verge of flowering.
KSRT
Working my way out of the meadows and avoiding the fenced spur ridge, where I reconnected back to the ridge line that exposed the lush green fluted flanks of the mountain.
KSRT
I soon passed the landslide and found myself descending down to the summit.
Waimano Summit
Backdrop of Waihe’e Valley bottled up by the sister ridges of Eleao and Kalahuku.
Waimano Trail
Putting my head down, I just went on auto pilot and hiked down the overgrown 7.5 mile trail. This trail has failed to grow on me. In fact, I mentally noted to bypass this trail on future cross-overs.
All pau
A big thanks to Aida for picking me up after her hike and bringing me a lemonade flavored with cucumber, apple mint and carrot. It’s the thought that counts.
GPS Tracks
My two day hike covered 20.33 miles through the wild back country of the Northern KST. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse. I came for the food and stayed for the service.
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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