Pu’u O Kila to Ohulehule Junction

by kenji SAITO on November 8, 2015

Chris B and myself joined the HTMC on their hike to a sharp peak on a rugged ridge in Kahana Valley. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trailhead

Trailhead

We met up with the group and were briefed by Grant, the hike leader and then moved our cars to the visitor parking inside the valley to begin our hike.

Trail

Trail

Single file shuffle.

Dam crossing

Dam crossing

The group crossing Kahawainui Stream.

Nakoa trail

Nakoa trail

Which way guys? Straight?

Uphill

Uphill

The group walking through a stand of lauhala trees.

Uluhell

Uluhell

HTMC had cleared the lower portion of the trail earlier, but the remaining part to the top was steep and heavily overgrown.

Looking back

Looking back

Looking out towards Kahana Valley, the former playground for the US Army during WW2.

Short, steep and sweet

Short, steep and sweet

Looking ahead to the summit of Pu’u O Kila. It took us only 90 minutes to get to the top. Huffing and puffing 90 minutes. Still only an hour and a half.

Steep

Steep

Who needs rope where we’re going?

Puu O Kila

Puu O Kila

Click here for the larger image. The 1,520′ summit was quite sparse in terms of space and views.

Bushwhacking

Bushwhacking

I had asked earlier about the possibility of breaking away from the group and doing the connector ridge from the summit to Ohulehule. Word was that it was probably not doable anymore. Key word on probably. We separated from the group and forged ahead on the connector ridge. Rain clouds looked promising.

Fiddlehead

Fiddlehead

Toss them in a pan with butter and sea salt. Drizzle with lemon juice. Serve.

Trail

Trail

The ridge started to get overgrown as we pushed forward.

Kahana Valley

Kahana Valley

Click here for the larger image.

Ridge

Ridge

We had some rock climbing to break the monotony of the heavy overgrowth.

Ridge

Ridge

Chris swinging around a tree to get back on the ridge.

Ridge

Ridge

This rocky section reminded me of the second peak of Paku’i.

Looking back

Looking back

Leaving Pu’u O Kila behind us. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ridge

Ridge

Typical ridge hike filled with multiple short ups and downs. Some sections were narrow and crumbly.

Pu'u Koile

Pu’u Koile

Group photo at the 1,660′ summit. There was another connector ridge to the KST. Another hike for another day.

Ridge

Ridge

We were within striking distance of Pu’u Ohulehule. Or was that hiking distance?

Ridge

Ridge

Chris “Machete” Bautista hacking away at the overgrowth.

Uluhell

Uluhell

The struggle was real. Steep and heavily overgrown climb to the junction.

Junction

Junction

We took a breather after battling through all that overgrowth.

Pu'u Ohulehule

Pu’u Ohulehule

Talk about summiting Ohulehule was dispelled by the rapidly accumulating cloud cover at the top.

Ridge

Ridge

We turned left and started our descent down the Northwest ridge.

True Manamana and Two Apes Talking

True Manamana and Two Apes Talking

A possible loop hike for another day?

Stream crossing

Stream crossing

We dropped down from the ridge and started making our way through the valley.

Looking back

Looking back

The rugged ridge we had just traversed behind us.

Hidden dragon

Hidden dragon

Where was the crouching tiger?

Trail

Trail

Chris walking next to the gurgling stream.

Stream crossing

Stream crossing

No flash flood conditions today.

Nakoa trail

Nakoa trail

We meet again.

That dam crossing

That dam crossing

No swinging or swimming in the water for us today.

All pau

All pau

We walked back to the trailhead and the barking dogs. Leashed.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

The scenic hike covered a scant 7 miles through sometimes steep, narrow and overgrown ridges. Post hike meal at Waiahole Poi Factory. Scratch that. Closed. Next stop. Zippy’s.

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