I met up with Gen, Glenn, Jose and Justin to do some exploring on the North Shore. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trailhead

We passed the revolving graffiti wall on our way to the Ma’akua Ridge Trail.

Sunrise

The sun breaking over the town of Hauula.

Bench

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Jose, Gen, Justin, Glenn and myself.

Papali Ridge

We left the loop trail and headed up the ridge.

Rope Log

There were no rope and no log. What the heck is this thing?

Papali Ridge

The trail started like a typical ridge hike, multiple short ups …

Papali Ridge

… and downs.

Papali Ridge

The trail was surprisingly clear. The uluhell was only ankle high. Ankle biters.

Papali Ridge

Spoke too soon. Glenn wading through waist high uluhell.

Coastal view

Looking back at the coastal communities of Hauula, Laie and Kahuku.

Papali Ridge

Group photo at the Papali junction. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail snacks

Gen munching on uki grass. A good source of dietary fiber.

Papali Ridge

Justin approaching the saddle.

Papali Ridge

Ferns and fungus growing out of a fallen tree.

Mountain of dreams

Dirty yoga. Wrong in so many ways. Photos by Justin Hirako.

Papali Ridge

The ridge became a steady chore going up.

Papali Ridge

Justin and Glenn making their way up.

Ridges and Valleys

We soon noticed a fresh looking cut trail going down into the valley.

Costco Hot Dog

Glenn sucking down the mustard like there’s no tomorrow to combat his cramps.

Trail Junction

A sign pointed to the trail we had just been checking out from the top of the ridge.

Trail

The trail looked like it had been recently cleared. Lucky us.

Bare Tree

A lonely tree shorn of its leaves.

Moss Trees

The trail switch backed through a forest of moss covered trees.

Leap of faith

One had no faith. One went blindly. One went with eyes wide open.

Trail

Gen and Jose checking out the stream below the trail.

Kaluanui Stream

White hibiscus lined the banks of the stream.

Kaluanui Stream

Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Kaluanui Stream

We dumped our packs and decided to do some exploring.

Kaluanui Stream

Glenn rock hopping down the stream.

Kaluanui Stream

What’s around the corner?

Waterfall

Waterfall! Photo by Justin Hirako.

Tours

Helicopters frequently buzzed the valley during our short stay. We waved. They waved back.

Waterfall

Noticed a couple of old rappelling anchors at the top. No ropes. No rappel.

Waterfall

We contoured our way down to the base of the waterfall. Group photo by Justin Hirako. Hey, where did the other two go?

Kaluanui Stream

If only we had more time to explore downstream.

Sunning

We made our way back upstream to find Jose sleeping soundly on a rock. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

We refilled our camelbacks from the stream and picked up the trail on the opposite side of the banks.

Construction

Stopped to check out the site of a future cabin? Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Leaving the stream behind us.

Trail

Looking out towards the ocean.

Notch

I can’t go any higher. Something might rip. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Notch

Justin squeezed through horizontally and vertically. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Punalu’u Valley

Click here for the larger image.

Trail

The trail was completely overgrown with towering pink fringe flower vines. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Going under and around strawberry guava trees. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Heading down into Punalu’u Valley. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trail

Some overgrown sections were so thick that we had to crawl on our hands and knees.

Trail

Justin used sheer momentum and mass to break through.

Trail

Passing underneath a tangled thicket of tree branches. Luckily we didn’t have to go through them.

Trail

Between a hard rock wall and a drop off. Walk carefully.

Detour

Looked like a section of the original trail got closed down. Possibly due to a landslide?

Detour

Gen going down the detour trail.

Trail

The detour trail soon dropped us back to the switchbacks.

Road

We followed the sign that pointed to a road further down. Talk about taking a spur ridge down instead, dissipated with the fact that darkness would soon cover us and we didn’t know the lay of the land.

Trail

Gen wading through head high uluhell.

Trail

Flower girl.

Trail

Glenn making his way under and over thickets of tree branches. That road can’t come soon enough.

All pau

We made our way down off the ridge, passed through the valley populated with farms and palatial houses until we popped out on the road. Photo by Justin Hirako.

GPS Tracks

Our hiking mileage varied, depending on whose tracking app you asked, 9.85 or 11.01 miles. Either way, it was quite an epic day hiking in the mountains with a fun crew. We even had a “valet” that was watching our truck. Glenn gave him some cash and a job referral for his “troubles.” Post hike meal at Zippy’s.

After a month of relatively easy hikes, it was time to get my “hiking legs” back. And what better way to do that, than an ridge hike with the Caveman? That’s why I found myself in Tamura’s parking lot along with Marcus, George, Jay, Tom, Brian R, Darren, Brian C, Peter, Helen and Scott at 7:45am sharp. Adjusted for Hawaiian time of course.

The long dirt road

We then drove North on Farrington Highway until we passed Kea’au Beach Park and parked outside of the Lady of Kea’au, which is the former FHB recreation center. After climbing over the gate, we walked for about half an hour upon a series of roads while the sun started to break over the Waianae Mountain Range. We soon turned left into the treeline to follow a fence uphill, which we eventually hopped over to make our way up one of the side ridges.

Cardio climb

It was a steady cardio climb up the rocky ridge that was thinly covered by dry grasses and shrubs.

The fence

We soon found ourselves at the top of the ridge to face the fenceline which would pretty much run up all the way to the top of Ohikilolo. Of course, they were several rockfaces along the way up, that presented climbing opportunities to those inclined.

Free range goat

The saying “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” certainly applied to this goat that we found stuck in the fence. There seems to be much more green vegetation on the Makua Valley side, which is why this goat stuck his head through the fence to munch his lunch and was luckily freed by Jay, Darren and Peter.

Makua Valley

A nice view of Makua Valley from the ridgeline. The fence was installed to prevent goats and pigs from entering this valley and other protected areas. Photo by Tom Engle.

Skin and bones

Further up the ridge, we discovered the remains of a goat that wasn’t so lucky.

Scenic viewpoint

Taking two minutes to stop and enjoy the stellar views. I think Marcus gave us a break and actually gave us ten minutes.

Mountain cabin

Just before the summit of Ohikilolo, is a cabin in the mountains. Great timing as a passing rain shower pelted us briefly as we took refuge in the cabin. We took another short break inside the cabin, checking out the inside ( which can bunk up to 12 people ) and the great views of Ohikilolo and the surrounding mountain range. There is even an outhouse with outstanding views of Makua Valley, a good reason to take your time on the throne.

Pu’u Ohikilolo

We left the cabin to pick up the fenceline trail going up to the summit. While the fenceline is a blight on the landscape, it did come in handy in areas where the loose, brittle rocks made footing a little tricky.

Summit of Ohikilolo

We reached the 3,052′ pyramid summit of Pu’u Ohikilolo at 11:00am, with clear views of Makaha, Ohikilolo and Makua Valleys.

Panoramic view from Pu’u Ohikilolo

Click here for the larger image.

Going down the saddle to Pu’u Kea’au

We headed back down from the summit and turned left towards the saddle of Kea’au ridge. Photo by Scott Bowling.

Rock climbing ahead

We scrambled and climbed our way along the rocky ridge, absent was the fenceline. I guess there are places that even goats can’t climb over.

Climbing down the saddle

Climbing down the exposed dike formation was a litte tricky due to a small drop and gap in the rocks. Photo by Scott Bowling.

Top of Pu’u Kea’au

We topped out at the 2,650′ summit of Pu’u Kea’au at around 12:20pm, with the flat topped mountain of Ka’ala in the background. Bottom row left to right: George, myself, Jay and Tom. Top row left to right: Brian R., Darren, Brian C., Marcus, Peter, Helen and Scott.

Panoramic view from Pu’u Kea’au

Click here for the larger image.

Going down Kea’au ridge

We soon headed back down the ridge into Kea’au Valley.

Almost pau

George checking out a bunker on our way down.

GPS Tracks

The 6 1/2 mile hike took us exactly 6 hours to complete. The weather also blessed us by giving us cloud cover for most of the hike, which dialed down the notoriously hot Waianae sun.