Star Trek Ridge to Kolekole Pass

I decided it was time for another visit to a place where no (wo)man has gone before.

Met up with Aida, Art and Lilyn in Schofield Barracks where Mia then shuttled us to the valley laced with helpful messages, revived terraces, abandoned cars and stray dogs.

It was not even a hop, before we were off the much maligned service road and into the bushes. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Breaching the rock wall. Photo by Art Young.

Left for Hobbs and right for where many a (wo)man has gone before.

Contrary to popular belief, some parts of Waianae would give Manoa Valley a run for its money.

Are we following the yellow caps …

or the green ones? Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The climb started to get a little steep, fortunately there was an abundance of trees scattered throughout the trail.

Aida scrambling up towards the rock wall. Photo by Art Young.

Art contouring his way around the rock wall. Photo by Aida Gordon.

You had to be a tree hugger on this hike, no matter your political leaning.

We missed it by that much. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Following the discolored webbing like so many breadcrumbs scattered throughout the forest. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Taking an unintended detour. Or as they call it, exploring our way around the mountains.

Lilyn taking in the views. What views? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Art climbing up a steep section. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn practicing her three points of contact and one contact on a rope that has been out here 24/7 for who knows how long. Photo by Art Young.

The girls enjoying a brief respite from the steep climb as the trail leveled off for a bit. Photo by Art Young.

Back to climbing. No rest for the weary.

There must be a trail somewhere in this steep hill marked by crumbly under footing and tightly packed trees and dense undergrowth. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Group photo on the Waianae Summit Trail, left to right: myself, Aida, Art and Lilyn.

We followed the fence line that cut a corridor through the overgrowth. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Well, most of it.

Some invasive species had the right idea on how to hike the trail and avoid all those pesky thorny bushes. If I could only be green and horny as well. Photo by Art Young.

Trying to prevent my cap from blowing away. Resistance is futile. Something I would learn later on in the hike. Photo by Art Young.

Enjoying an open area to soak in the expansive West side views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Pushing through more overgrowth with the fence as our guide.

Walking on the windy ridge line. Photo by Art Young.

Can you see the ridge for the clouds? Photo by Art Young.

Wet and windy conditions prevented us from exhibiting foolish behavior on a narrow spur ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Art climbing down to the rock dike where we soon crossed paths with two other hikers that had come up from Schofield Barracks.

Taking a seat. A panoramic seat. Photo by Art Young.

Diamond Head was nearby according to a certain nobody.

Your pic … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

… for my pic. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Group photo at the 2,881′ terminus with the cloud capped summit of Kalena behind us.

Descending down the narrow dike with winds whipping all around us. It was hard not to lose ones head. Let alone a cap.

Art making his way down the dike.

Lilyn climbing her way down. Photo by Art Young.

Uh, shouldn’t the cache be a tad more difficult to find?

Aida looking back at the narrow dike that we had just traversed. Something that she had done before. Shades of the forgetful hiker. Photo by Art Young.

Somebody wanted to ride the crumbly Forbidden Mountain ride. One day. When you are old enough.

Trading the treeline for the hardscrabble terrain.

Aida preparing to slide and scoot her way down the hill. Photo by Art Young.

Art walking down the eroded hill.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of UXO, I will fear nothing, for ignorance is bliss. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Big shout out to Mia who picked us up ahead of schedule. That’s always a good thing.

Our Wild West hike covered a scant 3.6 miles through the rugged terrain of the Waianae Mountain Range. Somebody said they will boldly not go back here again. Post hike meal at Chicken in a Barrel. We should’ve stuck with the Louisiana style chicken. Closer and more flavorful.

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.

Tagged as: kolekole pass, sexxxy ridge, star trek ridge, waianae mountain range, waianae summit trail, waianae valley, wst