We went looking for a shortcut today and ended up taking the long road back home.

Trailhead

Thanks to Jay and Urai for dropping Aileen, Jen, Lilyn, Merrill and myself off deep in Kunia Farmland.

Honuliuli Contour

Pushing off on the jeep road.

Kunia Farms

We left the known trail and plunged into the itchy California grass in search of the “shortcut trail.”

Kunia Farms

Clouds of little flies soon descended upon us, in what I have since dubbed “Mosquito Valley.”

Kunia Farms

We scrambled uphill in order to gain the ridge line while attracting the female bloodsuckers that preferentially target humans based on type O blood, heavy breathers, an abundance of skin bacteria, high body heat and pregnant women. I guess we all somehow and somewhat fit the bill. I still don’t know who’s expecting. They hide it well.

Kunia Farms

Glimpsing a different perspective of the crumbly cliff.

Kunia Farms

We soon left the valley but not the mosquitoes behind us as took a small breather on the trail we were searching for this morning.

Kunia Farms

Following the trail as it slowly gained elevation towards the ridge line.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Taking a well deserved break away from the mosquitoes. Gawd, they were awful.

Pohakea Pass

Aileen climbing her way up.

Pohakea Pass

Merrill hauling himself up.

Pohakea Pass

Climbing and contouring our way up.

Pohakea Pass

Merrill duct taping his shoes together, further proving the phrase “it ain’t broke, it just lacks duct tape.”

Pohakea Pass

The rest of the group joining us at the base.

Pohakea Pass

Making my way up the crumbly pile of rocks.

Pohakea Pass

Aileen climbing with her left hand.

Pohakea Pass

Merrill reaching the top.

Pohakea Pass

Sitting pretty at the top of the roughly 2,100′ pass.

WST

Scrambling out of the pass onto more stable ground.

WST

Group photo on the narrow dike between the pass and the forest.

WST

Who’s on the right side of the fence line?

WST

Taking a short break after our relentless climb up the fenced hill.

WST

Wading through the sea of uluhe ferns.

WST

Pushing our way through the heavily overgrown trail.

Palikea

Group photo at the 3,098′ ti leaf summit.

WST

Descending down the steps into an area that is chock full of endemic plants.

WST

Why slip and fall when you can scoot your way down the slippery stairs?

WST

Aileen exiting the stand of pine trees.

WST

Contouring our way alongside the basaltic rocks.

WST

Views of Nanakuli Valley.

WST

The social media tree.

WST

What goes in …

WST

… must come out.

WST

Erosion control at work.

Palehua

Leaving the trail for the road.

Palehua

On the road to Nanakuli … or so we thought.

Palehua

When a landslide interrupts your plans. Stop. Do not pass Go. Go back where you came from.

WST

Sad stories do not play well in the mountains.

Honouliuli Forest Reserve

I had always wanted to check out this trail ever since the landowner pointed it out to me a couple years back. Be careful what you wish for, today was the day. Voluntary or involuntary.

Honouliuli Forest Reserve

Passing through the remains of some type of shelter.

Honouliuli Forest Reserve

We were back in another mosquito valley as clouds of them attached themselves to everybody in the group. Not again!

Honouliuli Forest Reserve

The “trail” soon petered out to be replaced by scattered ribbons and the path of least resistance.

Honouliuli Forest Reserve

Merrill checking out a boulder cave.

Honouliuli Forest Reserve

Taking the fastest way down. Jump.

Honouliuli Forest Reserve

Scrambling our way down while avoiding cliffs and paths of most resistance.

Honouliuli Trail

We soon hit the 15.8 mile trail that contours below the Waianae Mountain Range. Talk about a sight for sore eyes and legs.

Honouliuli Trail

Another trail that I had always wanted to explore. Killed two birds with one stone today.

Honouliuli Trail

Following the trail through the dips and peaks as it afforded views of Pearl Harbor and the central plains.

Honouliuli Trail

The remains of a previous group that failed to make it out.

Honouliuli Trail

When will this road end?

Honouliuli Trail

Back at the crossroads where we had started earlier in the morning. Full circle.

All pau

Thanks to Chris who patiently waited several hours over the projected exit time to pick us up.

GPS Tracks

Our unintended loop hike covered 11.49 miles through bushwhacking, mosquito swarms and rugged mountain terrain. Outstanding crew who took everything in stride. Post hike meal at one of the few remaining Outback Steakhouses, where clam chowder was still on the menu.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Jen Odence, Lilyn Avendano, Merrill Kalapodes, 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.