It was that time to pay another visit to the least trafficked area of the KST.

Poamoho Road

Playing paniolo on a mechanized beast of burden while corralling cows back into their pastures.

Trailhead

Thanks to Edgar and Lilia for dropping us off at the start of the trail as it started to drizzle.

Poamoho Trail

Group photo, left to right: Ryan, Chico, Tessa, Aileen and myself.

Poamoho Trail

Dead roof rat on the trail. Rodent traps on the trails attempt to curb the scourge that attack native animal and insect populations.

Poamoho Trail

Hiking on the graded path, which the US Army once considered making this a jeep road all the way to the summit. The start of WW2 scuttled those plans.

Poamoho Trail

Halfway point. Checking for cannibals. Not cannabis.

Poamoho Trail

Crossing over the largest of the landslides that shut down the trail back in March 2021.

Poamoho Trail

Heading into the side gulch above a small tributary of Helemano Stream

Poamoho Trail

Crossing the stream, which marked less than 10 minutes to the summit.

Poamoho Summit

Windy group photo at one of the best summit spots on the island with sweeping views of Punalu’u, Kahana and Ka’a’awa Valleys.

Cline Memorial

Seeking shelter below the stone memorial before resuming our hike.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Contouring our way below the ridge line.

KST

Going through the fenced rolling hills in the cloud soaked mountains.

Boot Junction

Taking our group photo at the iconic boot that has stood witness in these mountains for many years.

Boot Junction

Why did the hikers cross the fence? To get to the other fence.

KST

Following the fence line for daze.

KST

What am I doing here? Or maybe he’s just rubbing his eyes.

Rabbit Hole Junction

Ready for more mud?

KST

Some embraced the suck, while most avoided it like the plague.

KST

I remember when there was no fence line or gates, just a thin trail through the overgrowth.

Papali Junction

Somebody with the longest arm took our group photo.

KST

Pushing our way through the bog like landscape.

KST

Is this the trail?

KST

Taking a break from slogging through the mud soaked and overgrown trail.

KST

Winding our way through the verdant mountains.

KST

Traversing on the exposed ridge line.

KST

Climbing out of the notch and towards the cabin.

KST

Sloshing through the mud as we regained the fence line.

Koloa Cabin

Approaching our home for the night. Would Tessa’s gamble pay off?

Koloa Cabin

Wash time.

Koloa Cabin

Enjoying our brief and somewhat dry spell in the cabin as we plugged holes so no rats would come around, filtered water, cooked ourselves dinner and most of the group medicated themselves to sleep for the night.

Laie Trail

Day 2
Chris started early on the hike that is a study in contrasts according to Stuart Ball, to join us at the summit.

Koloa Cabin

We cleaned up the place and took a parting group shot.

Koloa Cabin

Leaving the most spacious cabin on the KST.

KST

Tessa getting her feet back in the mud.

KST

Going down the steep fenced hill.

KST

Ryan against the background of the Waianae Mountain Range.

KST

Following the fence line for the last time on this trail.

KST

Dropping down into the bowl shaped depression.

KST

Meandering our way through the mountains with sweeping views of the coastline.

Laie Summit

Meeting up with Chris at the 2,240′ foxhole of a summit.

KST

Leaving the summit behind us as we resumed our hike on the trail.

KST

Man on the ridge line.

KST

Following the trail carved into the sides of the mountains as it meandered through the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

KST

We can thank the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the US Army for carving the KST out of the mountains back in the 1930s.

KST

The KST was not made for hikers but rather for the military and pig hunters to access the previously inaccessible mountains.

KST

Tree hugger.

KST

Halfway there! Let’s have lunch.

KST

Back on the trail that was in serious need of trimming and then some.

KST

Face in the tree.

KST

Taking a break from the cloying and constant overgrowth.

KST

Let’s go that way. Never argue with a man with a machete.

KST

Going through the forest that was seemingly covered with moist moss.

KST

Rainbow in the mountains.

KST

Somebody looked slightly annoyed as we followed the trail that no longer looked like a trail.

KST

Climbing our way back up to the ridge line.

KST

The group emerging from the forest of constant poking and pulling.

KST

Approaching our last summit of the weekend. We were not out of the woods yet.

KST

Crawling through tunnels of overgrowth.

KST

I fought the uluhe and the uluhe won.

Pu’u Hina

Somebody disentangled the leaves, sticks and ferns in her hair while somebody else self-medicated their private parts. Turn away. Not safe for children.

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at Pupukea Summit, no need to stand up. This is also considered the junction for the abandoned Kahuku Trail built in the 1920s that has since been reclaimed by Mother Nature.

KST

Leaving the summit behind us.

Black Junction

The “official” end or start of the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Pupukea Trail

We were still not out of the woods yet and caught the setting sun as we made our way down to the road.

Military Road

The one and done crew exiting the trail.

Military Road

Height check.

Military Road

Less walking, more running. You got a wife to meet at the bottom of the road.

Military Road

Things that go BOO in the night. Got me good.

All pau

Big shout out to Lilia for waiting several hours over the projected exit time and picking us up at the end of the dark and deserted road. Post hike meal was not at the much anticipated, mouth watering Haleiwa Joe’s thick cut of prime rib. Due to the late hour, we ended up eating at the nearby McDonald’s. In the parking lot.

GPS Tracks

Our grueling and taxing camping weekend with a good group that weathered the hike with a couple scratches to spare and ferns stuck in odd places covered over 18 miles where the country is still country.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Ryan Meyer, 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.

Met up with Art, Chris and Tessa to finish off my last section of the KST in the dry town of Laie.

Laie

Art and Chris were running fashionably late due to traffic and plumbing problems, so Tessa and I pushed off on the trail to wait for them. We saw the signs that Uncle Pele will be missed, so will the coconut signs that only a lawyer could love.

Laie Trail

Hiking up the section that only a dirt biker can love.

Laie Trail

Passing through the pine tree section.

Laie Trail

Heading up through the corridor of strawberry guava trees. Art wasn’t feeling himself, so he turned around to grab a snicker bar at the bottom and went back home.

Laie Trail

Tessa making her way to the summit.

Laie Summit

Group photo at the top with Lobelia Hill behind us.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Hi Ho Hi Ho, it’s off to bushwhacking we go! We push, pull, chop and get poked and whacked. Its what we do on a hike.

KST

The first stretch wasn’t actually that bad. It was mostly exposed ridge hiking with waist high shrubbery and false holes liberally sprinkled on the trail.

Malaekahana Junction

Chris planted his spare glove to mark the junction that has seen the green sign and other gloves come and go.

KST

Enjoying the fresh air and scenery while we can before plunging into head high overgrowth.

Kahuku Junction

Wallowing in the trails that the feral pigs have expanded and muddied.

KST

Making ourselves at home in the patch of uluhe ferns while we took our lunch break.

KST

Eye see the face for the trees.

KST

Tessa enjoying a break in the head high overgrowth …

KST

… before plunging back into the forest on steroids which at times forced us to crawl like our primate ancestors.

KST

Standing around the overgrown gully that we thought we had missed. The trail has gone back to Mother Nature and all her children.

Pu’u Hina

Tessa waving the machete that didn’t meet a single branch or fern, not at her hands at least.

KST

Going down another endless corridor of strawberry guava trees.

Black Junction

Celebrating my 15th finish of the KST with two of my oldest hiking friends. Salamat for the company!

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Walking on the road that is being rebuilt and resurfaced. Return of the Stryker Brigade?

All pau

Mahalo to Lilyn and Quan for meeting us at the end of our 13.12 mile traverse across the muddy and overgrown KST and taking us back to our cars. Post hike meal at Ted’s Bakery. Lots of mustard packets were there for the taking to be used for future hikes.

Photos taken by Chris Bautista, 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.

It was time to help another friend complete the Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST). Photo by Art Young.

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin and for the gate being open which resulted in us being dropped off directly at the beginning of the trail. Tessa was answering the call of nature which resulted in her missing the call of Uber, so Ferlino double backed to pick her up to complete the group.

Laie Trail

Katie coming up the heavily eroded and rutted hills.

Laie Trail

Ferlino at the technical start of the trail.

Laie Trail

Going through one of multiple blowdowns that are peppered throughout the trail.

Laie Trail

Taking a break in the shade from the sweltering sun as we waited for the rest of the group to catch up. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Laie Falls Junction

When the scare doesn’t go as planned. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Trail

Ferlino showing his flexibility while holding a sharp blade. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Approaching the steep cliff on the trail. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Laie Trail

Katie making her way on the Windward side of the ridge.

Laie Summit

Art and Ferlino ascending towards the 2,240′ summit.

Summit shenanigans

Booty grab. Shake it like a salt shaker. Manipulate and articulate like a toy. Noon nap. Geocache.

Laie Summit

Group gyrations at the foxhole.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Lilyn showing us the way. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Passing underneath scattered native palm trees. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Enjoying the trail conditions while it lasted. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Bushwhackers at work on the trail. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Looking out towards the rugged Waianae Mountain Range. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

When the marker hits your olfactory senses before your visual senses. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maleakahana Junction

The wilted marker looks like it needs a dose of nature’s sildenafil.

KST

Contouring our way through the Northern mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Tree huggers. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Picking our way on the trail that was littered with false holes and shin high branches.

Hawaiian Candy

Chris playing with his food. Somebody didn’t listen to their parents growing up. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

Halfway there. Are we eating lunch in this mud? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lunch time

Trying to keep most of the noodles in the cup and less on the back pack. Not very successful, I might add. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

Back to our regularly scheduled program of bushwhacking. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Taking nature’s eye test.

First aid

Despite staying away from sharp objects, somebody still got cut. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Tessa testing out nature’s cushion. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

Katie pushing her way through the almost constant overgrowth on the trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Lilyn looking towards the heavens to ask if we are almost there. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Make way for the pinay with the machete! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at the northernmost summit on the KST, left to right: Lilyn, Quan, myself, Ferlino, Katie, Art, Tessa and Chris.

KST

I want a picture too! All downhill from the 1,860′ summit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Are we there yet?

We met Aida coming down the trail as Lilyn did a head count. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Black Junction

Pushing to the finish line where one cold can of Coke and a haku lei awaited. No pushing allowed. Dale, Jennifer and Narissa and two dogs, one that was somewhat over friendly were waiting for us at the sign that marked the end of the KST. I did my traditional celebratory champagne pouring after being coached into an abbreviated congratulatory speech to Katie for completing all the segments that make up the entire Ko’olau Summit Trail. Props to her for joining the KST club and finishing a major hiking accomplishment.

Black Junction

Group photo where not all eyeballs were focused on the same camera, left to right: Dale, Kamalani, Aida, Art, Lilyn, Tessa, myself, Hana, Katie, Jennifer, Petra (Facetime), Narissa, Ferlino, Quan and Chris.

Pupukea Trail

Art making his way out of the forest and back to civilization.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Where the trail meets the road. Expecting another champagne dousing? Limit one per customer.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Going down the road that never seems to end. Photo by Art Young.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Who let the dogs out? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Putting in extra cardio training with our dog trainer, Hana. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Aida shedding some light at the end of the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

All pau

#14. Congratulations again to Katie for finishing the entire Ko’olau Summit Trail which spans over 52 miles from Makapu’u to Pupukea. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

GPS Tracks

Our epic hike with good friends covered roughly 12.3 miles through the most overgrown and densely packed section of the KST, well some thought it wasn’t that bad. Post hike meal on the road sans the cannibal chickens, that included salt and vinegar chicken wings and chilled carbonated beverages. We topped it off with a side trip to McDonald’s to scarf down shakes, McFlurry’s and saimin. Hold the French fries. Thanks to Jasmin and Narissa for the rides back to our cars.

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.