Met up with Aida, Akira, Ferlino, Tessa and Roger to finish connecting the dots on the Southern side of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Is this Wailupe or Wiliwilinui?

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Going up the slow burn of a road.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Where the road meets the trail.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Scenic view of all the “finger” ridges sprawling through the urbanized pockets.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Kudos to whoever carried a ladder up here and installed it to help with the climb.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Are we there yet?

Wiliwilinui Summit

Group photo at the 2,480′ summit of the “large ridge.”

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Tessa pushing the ferns down as she made her way down the trail.

Wailupe Summit

Kore wa Wailupe summit desu. Now how do you say “kite water” in Japanese?

KSRT

Left the 2,580′ summit to continue our hike along the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Hawaii Loa Summit

Group photo at the eroded knob at 2,520′ elevation.

KSRT

Dropping down to the lows …

KSRT

… and going up the highs. Not that type of high high.

Kulepeamoa Windward

PTSD flashbacks to the failed ascent of this extremely eroded and steep ridge many years ago. I lived to hike another day.

Kulepeamoa Summit

360 degree group photo at the 2,480′ summit of the “flapping chicken.”

KSRT

The cloud ceiling stayed overcast which contributed to the comfortable temperatures on the hike.

KSRT

Aida making her way down a somewhat steep section of the trail. How old is this webbing?

KSRT

Enjoying the relatively flat section as we made our way to the grassy knoll.

KSRT

Lunch time. Somebody brought fresh eggs to add to his boiling pot of beef and rice. Chef Hai Hai eats good or feels really good in the mountains. Usually both.

KSRT

Ferlino heating up ribs and rice. Need a bigger grill.

KSRT

Enjoying the Windward views.

KSRT

The group going down one of the steeper sections of the trail.

KSRT

Traversing over the heavily eroded section of the ridge line.

KSRT

Akira standing out at the oft-photographed spot with the fluted backdrop of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Bear Claw Summit

Ferlino representing the Filipino colors at the top of what is also known as Pu’u O Kona Windward.

Pu’u O Kona Summit

Passing through the 2,200′ flat topped mountain.

KSRT

Tessa hopping her way down the severely eroded trail.

KSRT

The group avoiding the contour and taking the most direct route to the summit of the “sounding knee.”

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Passing resemblance?

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Group photo on the lower summit. Away from the crowds at the 2,028′ eroded hill.

KSRT

Plunging into the forest dominated by pine trees.

KSRT

Coming across one of two sets of powerline towers that straddles the ridge line.

KSRT

Enjoying the scenic spot after getting slightly disoriented in the forest.

KSRT

Following the pink ribbon.

Hahaione Pyramid

Contouring on the Windward side of the triangular pile of rocks.

Hahaione Pyramid

Akira standing naturally high on top.

KSRT

Climbing and contouring our way on the overgrown trail.

Mariner’s Summit

Akira climbing straight up the cliff.

Mariner’s Summit

The girls taking the contour way up to the top.

Mariner’s Summit

Relocating the painted rock to a safer place.

Mariner’s Summit

Look who came to join us. Climbing and complaining about the fat Alaskan that raided her stash of food and water at Wiliwilinui. Quite the multi-tasker.

Mariner’s Summit

Group photo with Amber who had started at the Pali Lookout earlier in the day and would finish at Makapu’u some thirteen hours and change later.

Mariner’s Ridge Trail

Meanwhile, we descended down the trail that Kamehameha Schools would like most hikers to forget. Unless you happen to belong to one of the two hiking clubs granted intermittent access to the trail.

New Mariner’s Ridge Trail

Splitting off the off-limits trail and going down the “new” trail that dropped us down into Hahaione Valley.

All pau

Somebody was done hiking and ready to jump into Ferlino’s truck and call it a day.

GPS Tracks

Our breezy stroll through the mountains covered 7.4 miles with a fun group. Post hike meal at Mama Pho. Somebody wanted to pick from 31 flavors of ice cream and got the nickname “Pochari.”

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Ferlino Carinio, Roger Schiffman, Tessa Bugay, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Chris, Jose, Justin and myself picked up from where we left off from last week. We all met up in the back of Wailupe Valley. Somebody was running late and somebody was never in the running.

Trailhead

Our group took the valley shortcut as we didn’t want to wait until 8am when the Wiliwilinui Trail opens to the public.

Cardio hill

We soon left the valley floor to head up the spur ridge.

Cardiac hill

Huffing and puffing all the way to the top.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

It was nice to be on the relatively flat jeep road. A mountain bike would have been even nicer.

Sunrise

The sun being filtered by the ridges and trees.

Wiliwilinui Stairs and Swing

We left the jeep road behind to start the actual trail.

Relay station

Chris about to pass the tower on his way to the summit. The socked in summit.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: myself, Justin, King Kamehameha, Chris and Jose.

Sweat

Anybody thirsty? Steripen?

Leaving the summit

Do we follow the arrow or the words?

KSRT

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal experience.

Wailupe Summit

The green wooden sign marking the summit was gone. Hopefully not scavenged by some souvenir seeking hiker. Group photo by Justin Hirako with the replacement fluttering prayer flags. Ring the bell.

Ohia Lehua

An uncommon sighting of a dew dropped salmon lehua flower.

Flora

Toxic red flower buds of the hydrangea on the trail.

KSRT

Hiking on the edge.

Hawaii Loa Summit

The clouds finally cleared when we reached the 2,520′ summit, affording us clear views of Waimanalo and beyond. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

Justin setting foot on the now clear Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

Kulepeamoa Summit

Chris at the top of the “flapping chicken.”

Kulepeamoa Windward

Can you spot the palm tree?

KSRT

Justin pushing through as the trail became a tad more overgrown on our way to Puu O Kona.

Puu O Kona Summit

Group photos at the 2,200′ summit by Justin Hirako.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

KSRT

Justin leaving the summit behind as we made our way to Kuli’ou’ou.

KSRT

Approaching the eroded section of the trail. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Camping spot

The winds were not blowing hard in the mountains today, otherwise this picture would have been lost with the GoPro. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bear Claw Junction

Right or left?

KSRT

We passed several hikers on their way to Puu O Kona.

KSRT

Jose and Chris sliding their way down to the summit of Kuli’ou’ou.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

A spot less crowded. Photo by Justin Hirako

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Halfway there. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

Justin looking back at the crowded summit.

Hahaione Junction

We passed the junction that would take one down the ridge of discarded furniture and paintballers valley.

Detour

Looking out at Koko Crater and Koko Head.

Pyramid

We decided not to visit the top and contoured the trail around the pyramid.

Mariner’s Ridge

The trail to the summit was closed by Kamehameha Schools back in 2013. The only way to visit the summit now is through HTMC, Sierra Club or do cross over hikes from other summits on the KSRT.

KSRT

Justin making his way to the top.

Mariner’s Summit

The once bustling summit was eerily empty except for two hikers passing by on their way to Kuli’ouo’ou. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

Justin plunging into the pine trees as we left the summit.

Kamilo Iki Valley

Looking into the last valley on East Oahu not touched by development. That may soon change as increased rents may push the existing farmers out, paving the way for developers to get their shovels into the ground. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

The trail became less green and more rocky as we made our way to the Tom-Tom trail.

Bells Tower

We passed the rock structure also known as Dorito’s Tower, named after the hiker that was first documented to have climbed it. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Tom Tom Trail

Looking at the spur ridge that descends deep down into Waimanalo country.

KSRT

We left the Tom-Tom trail to continue on the roller coasting ridge.

Caveman Proving Grounds

When do we get our certificates? Photo by Justin Hirako.

Kamiloiki Summit

Just passing by. No time for breaks.

KSRT

Going down into the saddle. Photo by Justin Hirako

KSRT

Looking back into Waimanalo. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

Approaching the old Nike-Hercules missile site and communication towers. Photo by Justin Hirako.

KSRT

We were about to crash the IG party.

The Dead Mans Cat Walk

Soon to be destroyed by its own fame. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Hang Gliders Platform #1

Have wind, will fly.

Hang Gliders Platform #2

Looking down at the bird sanctuary islands and the UH Makai Pier.

KSRT

Making our way down the rocky ridge to the puka.

Makapuu Puka

Hey, we’re missing somebody! Photo by Justin Hirako.

Mini Makapuu Puka

Justin found another smaller puka on our way up the ridge. Photo by Justin Hirako

KSRT

Almost there.

Makapuu Lookout

Why did the hikers cross the road? To visit the lighthouse. Not today.

All pau

We still had to walk a good stretch of the road to get back to Justin’s truck that we had staged earlier in the day. Photo by Justin Hirako.

GPS Tracks

Our trek to the end of the Southern Ko’olaus covered 11.08 miles. Post hike meal at Outback. Being mistaken for homeless resulted in appetizers on the house.

Note: I have been made aware the 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. Mahalo.