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
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
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
Ferlino crossing the fenced irrigation system. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.
Waianae Valley
Looking towards the sun rising through the clouds.
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
The cow skull has apparently grown legs and migrated further up the fence line since my last visit.
Timber!
Crying wolf in the mountains. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Kawiwi Ridge
Leaving the valley floor behind us as we began our climb up the windy ridge. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.
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
Chris going up the ridge line that got progressively steeper and rockier.
Kawiwi Ridge
Scenic rock overlooking Waianae and Lualualei Valleys. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.
Kawiwi Ridge
Stepping stones. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.
Kawiwi Ridge
Lining up as we approached the tricky crack. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Kawiwi Ridge
Trying to look heroic, perhaps best to stick with the weight loss program.
Kawiwi Summit
Group photo left to right: Shirley, Analyn, Matt, Chris, myself, Ferlino and Cisco.
Ridge
Photoshoot in progress. Photo by Chris Bautista.
Ridge
Hiking in progress.
Ridge
It was only a matter of time before we ran into the fence line. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.
Ridge
We had lots of rocks to climb down …
Ridge
… and over and under.
Ridge
Prickly pears for the picking. Watch the thorns. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.
Ridge
Looking over into Makaha Valley. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.
No Name Peak
The Pepsi Challenge is alive and well in the mountains.
Ridge
Dropping down to the Tiki Rocks.
Hikers gone wild
Tiki, do you love me? Are you riding? Synchronized to music. Live entertainment. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.
Mango Ridge
Where you guys came from and you seen my dog? That way and nope.
Three Poles
Some people drive themselves up the pole. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Bolohead
Rain showers sweeping our planned route back down to the valley.
Waianae Ka’ala Trail
To ladder or not to ladder. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.
Shelled gastropod
Indigenous or invasive? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.
Mount Ka’ala
Lack of time and inclement weather pretty much dictated our route down, bottle cap notwithstanding. Photo by Shirley.
Mount Ka’ala
Approaching the socked in FAA tracking station.
Mount Ka’ala
Group photo by Matt Vidaurri at the highest point on the island.
Waianae Ka’ala Trail
Leaving the rain soaked summit for fenced ridge lines and clear skies. Never fails.
Waianae Ka’ala Trail
Sliding our way down into the valley. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.
Waianae Ka’ala Trail
Chris heard waterfalls so most of the group followed the stream to find the source of the noise.
Waianae Waterfalls
Going with the flow.
Waianae Valley
Color coding the valley. What happens if you’re color blind?
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
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.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Although we didn’t thread through bolohead it’s still a great and fun hike. Some educational dinner conversation to laugh at.
Aloha Ferlino,
Haha, yes it was very entertaining and educational at the same time. Great hike as always.
Mahalo
Awesome!!! What great fun and laughs…Weather was Funny…One minute it’s Sunny and the next minute it’s Raining. Lol
Aloha Cisco,
Yup, great time in the mountains, even with the shifting weather patterns.
Mahalo