Pu’u Kawiwi to Mount Ka’ala

by kenji SAITO on November 11, 2018

Met up with Analyn, Chris, Cisco, Ferlino, Matt and Shirley on Veteran’s Day to hike on the West side. Some of us were still sleepy from last night’s Bruno Mars concert. Sleep walking in the mountains it is. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off deep in the valley, where we saw C-Rider Falls slicing down the mountain. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Waianae Valley

Waianae Valley

We left the road after a thankfully short walk and headed into the valley that was bouncing back nicely from the recent brush fires. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Feet wet

Feet wet

Ferlino crossing the fenced irrigation system. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Waianae Valley

Waianae Valley

Looking towards the sun rising through the clouds.

Waianae Valley

Waianae Valley

Heading deeper into the valley as the sun torched the tips of the mountains. Enjoying the shade while it lasted. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waianae Valley

Waianae Valley

The cow skull has apparently grown legs and migrated further up the fence line since my last visit.

Timber!

Timber!

Crying wolf in the mountains. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kawiwi Ridge

Kawiwi Ridge

Leaving the valley floor behind us as we began our climb up the windy ridge. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kawiwi Ridge

Kawiwi Ridge

Ferlino and Cisco coming up the exposed ridge line that was pocketed with brittle branches and chlorophyll pigmented bushes. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kawiwi Ridge

Kawiwi Ridge

Chris going up the ridge line that got progressively steeper and rockier.

Kawiwi Ridge

Kawiwi Ridge

Scenic rock overlooking Waianae and Lualualei Valleys. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kawiwi Ridge

Kawiwi Ridge

Stepping stones. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Kawiwi Ridge

Kawiwi Ridge

Lining up as we approached the tricky crack. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kawiwi Ridge

Kawiwi Ridge

Trying to look heroic, perhaps best to stick with the weight loss program.

Kawiwi Summit

Kawiwi Summit

Group photo left to right: Shirley, Analyn, Matt, Chris, myself, Ferlino and Cisco.

Ridge

Ridge

Photoshoot in progress. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ridge

Ridge

Hiking in progress.

Ridge

Ridge

It was only a matter of time before we ran into the fence line. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ridge

Ridge

We had lots of rocks to climb down …

Ridge

Ridge

… and over and under.

Ridge

Ridge

Prickly pears for the picking. Watch the thorns. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Ridge

Ridge

Looking over into Makaha Valley. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

No Name Peak

No Name Peak

The Pepsi Challenge is alive and well in the mountains.

Ridge

Ridge

Dropping down to the Tiki Rocks.

Hikers gone wild

Hikers gone wild

Tiki, do you love me? Are you riding? Synchronized to music. Live entertainment. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Mango Ridge

Mango Ridge

Where you guys came from and you seen my dog? That way and nope.

Three Poles

Three Poles

Some people drive themselves up the pole. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Bolohead

Bolohead

Rain showers sweeping our planned route back down to the valley.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

To ladder or not to ladder. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Shelled gastropod

Shelled gastropod

Indigenous or invasive? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Mount Ka'ala

Mount Ka’ala

Lack of time and inclement weather pretty much dictated our route down, bottle cap notwithstanding. Photo by Shirley.

Mount Ka'ala

Mount Ka’ala

Approaching the socked in FAA tracking station.

Mount Ka'ala

Mount Ka’ala

Group photo by Matt Vidaurri at the highest point on the island.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Leaving the rain soaked summit for fenced ridge lines and clear skies. Never fails.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Sliding our way down into the valley. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Waianae Ka'ala Trail

Waianae Ka’ala Trail

Chris heard waterfalls so most of the group followed the stream to find the source of the noise.

Waianae Waterfalls

Waianae Waterfalls

Going with the flow.

Waianae Valley

Waianae Valley

Color coding the valley. What happens if you’re color blind?

All pau

All pau

Catching the sun going down as we exited the valley and finished our 7.5 mile hike. Mahalo to Jasmin for picking us up. Photo by Shirley.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Post hike meal at Coquito’s. We sat outside where it was warm. The conversation was even warmer as the table talk turned to kissing junior and tossing the vegetables. Hey, I only had two hours of sleep!

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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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Ferlino December 22, 2018 at 6:01 am

Although we didn’t thread through bolohead it’s still a great and fun hike. Some educational dinner conversation to laugh at.

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kenji SAITO December 22, 2018 at 6:30 am

Aloha Ferlino,
Haha, yes it was very entertaining and educational at the same time. Great hike as always.
Mahalo

Reply

Cisco December 22, 2018 at 3:26 pm

Awesome!!! What great fun and laughs…Weather was Funny…One minute it’s Sunny and the next minute it’s Raining. Lol

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kenji SAITO December 22, 2018 at 6:24 pm

Aloha Cisco,
Yup, great time in the mountains, even with the shifting weather patterns.
Mahalo

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