Poamoho Trail to Papali Ridge

by kenji SAITO on October 14, 2018

Met up with Ferlino, Mia and Shirley to salvage what we could from the originally planned camping weekend.

Poamoho Road

Poamoho Road

Ferlino opening the gate to where the cows sometimes stray from their barbed wire pastures and hunters roam the land looking for smaller sized ungulates.

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Thanks to Brian for the tailgate ride to the top and the impromptu social mixer with the hunters. Always awkward to meet irate individuals with guns and dogs. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Starting at the trail that prohibits two wheeled modes of transportation, but permits two legged means of transportation.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Heading up the graded trail that cut a swath through the vegetation cascading down the mountain. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

The summit beckoned us with clear and inviting skies as we picked up the pace to make it there in under 90 minutes.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Hiking in unmaintained territory, with nothing but the fence line to keep us on track.

Short people problems

Short people problems

Wait, don’t push me yet! Photo by Shirley.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Heading into the gully. Almost there.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Looking at this photo, would one think: a) Mia was asking Shirley for a hand to cross the dry streambed or b) passing her iPhone to get that perfect shot? Choose wisely, grasshopper. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Poamoho Trail

Poamoho Trail

Heading to the summit where it’s usually a hit or miss in regards to the views. Today was going to be a home run.

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

Stunningly clear day at the 2,520′ summit with panoramic views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys. Words can’t describe it and pictures just scratch the surface.

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

Ferlino got arm blocked in our group photo.

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

Some of us tried to look heroic …

Poamoho Summit

Poamoho Summit

… while others could stand to lose seven pounds. Wait, did I get my captions mixed up? Photo and pose credit by Shirley.

Cline Memorial

Cline Memorial

We ended the photoshoot as we had squandered our early lead at the scenic swept summit and headed out to fenced pastures.

Ko'olau Summit Trail (KST)

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Leaving the fenced trail as we set foot on the historic trail carved out of the mountains back in the 1930’s. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Contouring our way around the ridge line and the small pockets of land slides.

KST

KST

Ferlino climbing over the locked gate. We are not illegals.

KST

KST

Working our way back to the fence line, an ubiquitous sight in the mountains.

KST

KST

Hiking our way across the rugged Northern Ko’olau Mountains.

KST

KST

Shirley attempting to prove that her head is not that big. The fence failed to validate her claim.

KST

KST

Looking out towards the strikingly clear Waianae Mountain Range.

Shoefie

Shoefie

We are not turning simple, well most of us that is. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Boot Junction

Boot Junction

Leaving one side of the fence for another side of the fence.

Fence meadows

Fence meadows

Crossing the spongy ground. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Fence meadows

Fence meadows

Synchronized fence climbing against the valley backdrop.

KST

KST

We can see the cabin for the mountains.

KST

KST

Following the fence line as it wrapped around the valley.

Ko'olau Clinic

Ko’olau Clinic

When you have to let your 7,126 followers know of your sprained ankle that was compressed with medical tape and webbing. Photo by Mia Garrison.

KST

KST

Somebody was blocking the stunning views. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Kaluanui

Kaluanui

Paying too much attention to the sign and not the fence. The other fence.

Kaluanui

Kaluanui

Hiking across the 376 acres of mountains and valleys that are home to 29 endemic fauna and flora found nowhere else.

LifeCall

LifeCall

Shirley doing her best impersonation of “Mrs. Fletcher.” I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. All that was missing was the pendant.

Waterfall

Waterfall

Something new on the trail. Wait, this isn’t the trail. Well, at least we got to see a waterfall on the hike, which you usually don’t see on the KST.

KST

KST

Back on the right trail after we spent an hour exploring, which is hiking jargon for getting lost.

Sock Junction

Sock Junction

Just wondering if the sock fits the boot?

KST Junction

KST Junction

We took a slight detour off the KST to experience …

Mud Trail

Mud Trail

… knee deep mud …Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ko'olau Mountains

Ko’olau Mountains

… and stunning views of the Waianae Mountains. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

Group photo of the cabin with the Waianae Mountains in the backdrop, left to right: Ferlino, Shirley, Mia and myself.

Army Cabin

Army Cabin

What happened in the cabin got etched very deeply into our photographic memories. Indelible.

Opae'ula Cabin

Opae’ula Cabin

Time to leave as we had squandered our few remaining daylight hours for the cabin experience. I think the group thought it was worth it.

Mud Trail

Mud Trail

Ferlino stepping to the side to avoid taking a mud bath.

KST Junction

KST Junction

Going down the rabbit hole.

KST

KST

It was a hop, skip and a jump across the short muddy section before exiting the gate. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

KST

Some of us embraced the mud more readily than the others as we passed the sun bleached pig jawbone.

Papali Junction

Papali Junction

Our last group photo of the day as rain would keep us company the rest of the way down.

Papali Ridge

Papali Ridge

Descending down from the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Papali Ridge

Papali Ridge

The rain blended in and drowned out the sound from nearby Castle Falls as we made our way down the fence. Besides, we already saw a waterfall today.

Papali Ridge

Papali Ridge

What goes down, must come back up. Something you learn very quickly in the mountains.

Castle Junction

Castle Junction

Paying too much attention to the gate that drops one down into Kaluanui Stream and Punalu’u Valley. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ko'olau Mountains

Ko’olau Mountains

Exploring the rain soaked fenced ridge line for a few hours before the curtain of darkness fell upon us.

Papali Ridge

Papali Ridge

Illuminating our way down the blackened ridge with a motley assortment of iPhone flashlights and headlamps. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Papali Ridge

Papali Ridge

The city lights looked so close and yet was so far away. Photo by Shirley.

All pau

All pau

Our 12.4 mile hike covered spectacular valley and rugged mountain views through sunny, cloudy and rainy weather. Our ordeal finally came to an end that was filled with graffiti and barking dogs. Great company made the all day adventure bearable and fun. A hearty shout out to Analyn and Clayton for picking us up in the dead of night bearing pizza, wings, banana lumpia and cold drinks. Post hike meal in the SUV. Much Mahaloz! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

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.

Leave a Comment

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Mia November 9, 2018 at 10:11 pm

Awwww, it’s truly a memorable perfect day and night! Worth it! Thank you kenji!

Reply

kenji SAITO November 10, 2018 at 7:02 am

Aloha Mia,
Yes it was! Thanks for coming along on that adventure :).
Mahalo

Reply

howzit_haole April 8, 2019 at 1:55 pm

No tracks? Bruh! I got to do this on Saturday and I need them! lol

Reply

kenji SAITO April 8, 2019 at 8:51 pm

Aloha,
Sorry device was on the fritz. If you need general directions, email me. Are you really going up this Saturday? I was looking to go up there as well and looking for a ride. LMK.
Mahalo

Reply

howzit_haole April 8, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Yes, I gotta knock out this section of the KST with my buddy Ox. Going to start at Poamoho but don’t know the Papali junction. We are working on organizing a ride up Poamoho real early Saturday if you’re interested.

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