Met up with Jen, Quan and Tessa on the oldest inhabited island in the main Hawaiian chain to hike and explore the Garden Isle over President Day’s weekend. Forecasted weather predicted the entire weekend would be raining cats and dogs. As luck would have it, we like feline and canine companions.

Trailhead

The trailhead was not marked like the other trails as it seems the State no longer maintains the trail due to hurricane damage a few decades earlier. A few decades earlier. Let that sink in. Scattered ribbons on the trees were no help, so we had to drive back down the road to get cell reception to download the trail map to find out where to go.

Honopu Ridge Trail

We followed the trail until we came across the fence line meant to keep out the invasive species from the endemic species.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Pushing our way through a thick stretch of uluhe ferns which also doubled as organic wipes since somebody didn’t want to share their invasive wipes.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Making our way down amongst fallen trees and slippery descents.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Multi-colored ribbons kept us on trail, along with following the fence line.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Somebody came running back on the trail after a couple pigs startled her on the trail. Luckily, we were scarier than the pua’a and we continued on our merry way.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Making our way down the steeply rutted trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Walking through the wooded section of the trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Catching our first views of the craggy cliffs that dominate and rise above the coastline.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking back at a huge waterfall cascading off Kalepa Ridge.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Bird’s eye view of Honopu Valley, Arch and Beach.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking out towards the stretch of Na Pali coastline that extends all the way to Kalalau and Ke’e Beaches.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Rain drops keep falling on our heads. Intermittent. The song of the same name is about remaining positive in spite of negative things that one can be facing, such as predicted rainstorms that would have cancelled a trip and hike for others. The song debuted in the 1969 film, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid and went on to become #1 on the Billboard Charts.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Looking over into ‘Awa’awapuhi Valley with hanging clouds drifting over.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Why do you guys always leave me? You look like Nana! I guess that’s a good enough reason as any.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The cathedral cliffs were formed millions of years ago when massive streams of water from the mountains carved out the valleys and constant crashing surf formed the character of the beaches and sea caves.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Watching ‘Awa’awapuhi Stream flow down from the mountains and out to the ocean.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Heading to the brush and tree line where we backtracked when we realized we went too far.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Group photo at the “end” of the trail for us.

Honopu Ridge Trail

How many people can fit on this little pile of rocks? Let’s find out.

Honopu Ridge Trail

360 view on top of the spit of rock.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The window of viewing opportunity was closing fast.

Honopu Ridge Trail

In the blink of an eye. Maybe a couple blinks.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The group making their way back down the exposed and eroded trail.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Hiking in the clouds. Always a surreal experience.

Honopu Ridge Trail

The stiff winds soon scattered the clouds away.

Honopu Ridge Trail

Taking in the waterfall view on our way back out.

Honopu Ridge Trail

No pig sightings on our way back.

All pau

We came back to our car with time to kill before dinner reservations and went back to Scott’s studio to clean up, some more than others. Post hike meal at Kintaro, where the wait was almost as long as the meal. Good food to finish off our fun hike.

GPS Tracks

Our in and out hike covered roughly five miles with scattered showers and spectacular views of Honopu Valley and the Na Pali Coastline.

Photos taken by Jen Odence, Quan Haberstroh, 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.

We spent King Kamehameha Day Weekend on the only island that was never conquered by the first founder and ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. However, it has been conquered by wild chickens that are the descendants of jungle fowl, fighting cocks and domestic chickens.

Kauai Airport

King Arthur has come to re-establish the independence of Kauai. He brought along his entourage of Jen, Lilyn, Liz, Marilyn, Quan and myself where his vassal, Scott picked us up.

Konohiki Seafoods

We stopped to have breakfast in Lihue. Sushi breakfast. Just missing the hot tea.

Hanapepe

Brief stop at Kauai’s “biggest little town” which also means crushed bay in Hawaiian.

Hanapepe

Squeezing and swinging our way across the bridge that was built in 1911.

Hanapepe

The load limit of 15 persons at one time was not exceeded. Safety first.

Waimea Canyon

We bypassed the fee paying tourists and gawked in the grandeur that is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Waimea Canyon

Some of us left the nosebleed section to take a closer look at the canyon that measures roughly 10 miles long and more than 3,500′ deep.

Waimea Canyon

Scrambling back up the slippery slope.

Pu’u Hinahina Lookout

Out on a limb to gain a different perspective of the canyon.

Lunch at Koke’e Lodge where we just beat the lunch crowd. Some of us got the kamaaina discount without asking. Must have been the t-shirt.

Kalalau Lookout

Group photo at the lookout, left to right: Art, Marilyn, myself, Liz, Jen, Quan, Lilyn and Scott; where one can check out the largest valley on the island. We wanted to get a closer look.

Kalepa Ridge

We descended through the thick brush and tree canopy until the trail became more exposed along with the views that opened up.

Kalepa Ridge

Somebody was looking for alepa ridge? Acapella ridge? Say it enough times and one is bound to get it right.

Kalepa Ridge

The group coming down the trail bordered by low lying shrubs one one side and steep drops on the other side.

Kalepa Ridge

Looking down into the remote valley that was once home to Hawaiians and hippies.

Kalepa Ridge

The exposed crumbly red dirt stood in marked contrast to the greens and blues of the shrubbery and ocean.

Kalepa Ridge

Looking back at the stopping point for the rest of the group while Art, Jen, Lilyn and myself kept the forward momentum going on the trail.

Kalepa Ridge

Following the trail of goat poop as we continued our descent down the ridge.

Kalepa Ridge

The ridge narrowed as we lost elevation but gained splendid views of the valley, ridges and the deep blue ocean.

Kalepa Ridge

Jen climbing down the chossy ridge held together by the dry grass.

Kalepa Ridge

Somebody was wondering what they got themselves into and my ears were ringing. Loud. Very loud.

Kalepa Ridge

I think the ringing stopped as somebody soaked in the magnficient views all around us.

Kalepa Ridge

Looking down into the fluted peaks of the Kalalau cathedral.

Kalepa Ridge

Group photo at the end of the trail. Involuntarily. Sweeping views of Honopu and Kalalau Valleys along with the incessant helicopters circling below us.

Kalepa Ridge

Time to go back up and leave all this panoramic eye candy behind us.

Kalepa Ridge

Hey, where did everybody go? So much for the group photo.

Kalepa Ridge

Perfect timing as clouds started rolling in as we returned to the lookout.

Red Dirt Falls

On our way back down, we stopped at the seasonal waterfalls that are surrounded by red dirt which is a byproduct of the oxidized iron-rich basaltic rocks that are found in this area.

Red Dirt Falls

Hop, skip and a jump. Or something close to that.

Jojo’s Shave Ice

Stopped at the original location in Waimea for some flavored ice dessert that has its origins in Japan.

Salt Pond Park

When you follow the wrong Tacoma and still end up at the family beach that is also home to a salt pond where kanaka maoli families have their own plots to make Hawaiian salt for their own consumption or trading.

Wailua Falls

Quick stop at the 173′ triple falls. I don’t see de plane.

Dinner at Garden Island BBQ. Family style. Pass the rice. Loco moco to go.

Chicken whisperer

Day 2
Birds of a feather flock together. I think the rice had something to do with it. The original plan today was to pile into a zodiac boat and explore sea caves and secluded beaches, high swells took care of that option. We woke up with the crowing chickens and screeching birds to go off-roading in search of the secret tunnel.

Wailua River

Overlooking the only river navigable by boats in the islands.

Secret Tunnel

Never send a AWD to do a 4×4 job.

Secret Tunnel

Russell, we have a problem. Time to turn around and do something else secret.

Wailua

Where there’s a tree, there’s a photo opportunity.

Opaeka’a Falls

The water flow was a bit thin at the 151′ waterfalls.

Secret Falls

Why did the hikers cross the road? Because there was a crosswalk.

Secret Falls

We elected to take the hiking trail rather than the kayaking tour.

Secret Falls

Crossing the Wailua River.

Secret Falls

Passing underneath one of several tree tunnels.

Secret Falls

How high can the water get? Don’t want to be around to find out.

Secret Falls

Scott said there used to be another concrete column on the other side of the river bank and they used to be connected to each other with a tethered cable for river crossings.

Secret Falls

Looking down at the boardwalk that parallels a good chunk of the river.

Secret Falls

Passing King’s Pool whose waterfall was barely trickling.

Secret Falls

Approaching Uluwehi Falls aka Secret Falls aka Not So Secret Falls.

Secret Falls

Group photo in front of the roughly 100′ waterfall. We had the place all to ourselves.

Secret Falls

Water wings. Just got to work on the synchronicity.

Secret Falls

Everybody getting out of the water. I think everybody had their water time.

Secret Falls

Trying our best to feel rooted on the tree stumps.

Secret Falls

Crossing the only rope found on the trail.

Secret Falls

Passing a collection of crimson flowers.

Secret Falls

Two way traffic on the North Fork river crossing.

Secret Falls

Walking through the colorful beached kayaks.

Secret Falls

Back on the road again. Back in the car again.

Olympic Cafe

Eating lunch at the eatery where there is a little bit of everything on the menu. There was discussion of what to hike next. My suggestion of King Kong was repeatedly ignored. I would actually say blatantly.

Sleeping Giant

We settled on hiking Nounou Mountain. The back side. A slipper friendly trail. The shortest and steepest of the three routes up the mountain.

Sleeping Giant

The beginning of the trail was mostly shaded with pine trees planted back in the 1930s.

Sleeping Giant

Switch backing up the trail as it became less shaded and intermittent rocky outcroppings on the way up.

Sleeping Giant

Scott bareback bronc riding the bench on the “chest” of the giant.

Sleeping Giant

After the rodeo was done, we all headed to the summit or “head” of the giant with a detour to the “nose.”

Sleeping Giant

Some went through and others went over.

Sleeping Giant

Exhaling.

Sleeping Giant

Inhaling.

Sleeping Giant

Jen showing off her rock climbing skills.

Sleeping Giant

Standing tall.

Sleeping Giant

Climbing up the most direct route to the top.

Sleeping Giant

Group photo on the “nose.”

Sleeping Giant

The rest of the group wrapped up their photo shoot and made their way to join us at the “head.”

Sleeping Giant

Spin the hiker at the summit.

Sleeping Giant

Going back down the West trail.

Sleeping Giant

Looking back at the giant that has yet to be roused from his slumber.

Hee Fat General Store

We sampled some of the best shave ice that most of us has had in the islands.

Kapa’a

Fallen angel. Can somebody pick her up please?

Wahine Weenies

No weenies for the wahines.

Island Craves

Dinner was pizza with most of the toppings. Outside seating. Closing time.

Kalalea Mountain

Day 3
Woke up early on our last day on the island and drove North to take in a few more sights before flying home. Trying to separate King Kong from the ridge line. The mountains was also the background for the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Kilauea Bakery & Pizzeria

We had breakfast at this cozy shop tucked away in a shopping center. Forget the pastries and get the stromboli. Veggie or sausage, it doesn’t matter. Thank me later.

Turtle Cave

Climbing our way down the short and steep hill.

Turtle Cave

Walking in low tide. No swimming needed.

Turtle Cave

A Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (Honu) swimming in the shallow waters.

Turtle Cave

Mouth of the cave.

Turtle Cave

Looking out towards the ocean.

Turtle Cave

Shadows in the cave.

Turtle Cave

Keeping our distance from the endangered species. Look but don’t touch.

Turtle Cave

Low tide reflections.

Turtle Cave

Looking out the other cave entrance/exit.

Turtle Cave

Ocean view on the other side.

Turtle Cave

Art overlooking the tidepools with captured fish and missed photo opportunities.

Turtle Cave

We left without any attached barnacles. Our next stop to Queen’s Bath was derailed due to us being the 11th and 12th vehicles. No tandem parking.

Hanalei Pier

Stepping foot on the pier that was built back in 1892.

Hanalei Pier

Somebody’s buns hit the bottom. Not going back for seconds.

Hanalei Pier

Group photo at the 340′ pier.

Kuhio Hwy

Who let the dogs out? Scott’s truck must have been a postal truck in its past life.

Maniniholo Dry Cave

Somebody went to get cobwebs on his head in the cave that was formed from wave erosion when the sea level was higher and others picked avocadoes from the low hanging branches.

Blue Room

Climbing down into the Waikapalae Wet Cave that was also featured as the fountain of youth in the movie, Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides.

Blue Room

Looking up at the hanging vines and roots that drop down from the cliff to the cave.

Blue Room

The group making their way down to the water.

Blue Room

Scott said the water levels have dropped noticeably over the years and he urged us not to go into the water as he has had to pull a couple dead bodies from these waters over the years.

Blue Room

The cold water must have numbed their hearing. The sunlight bounces off the caves calcite rocks which gives the waters a blue tint.

Haena State Park

Walking through the taro patches populated by wild chickens and Nene (Hawaiian Goose).

Kalalau Trailhead

A hike that’s definitely worth repeating.

Ke’e Beach

Want to pet my tako (octopus)?

Ke’e Beach

A scene straight out of a B-horror movie, spider hikers fanning out on the exposed tree roots. Straight to DVD.

Last meal on the island was at Princeville Foodland where price means no object to the locals. We are not locals. Rich locals. We also had another helping of shave ice from Hee Fat before being dropped off at the airport by Russell and Scott.

We left Kauai full of fun memories and shave ice. Good times had by all. Special thanks to Scott for his generous hospitality and playing tour guide to our group over the weekend. Mahalo to Jacob for the rides to and from the airport.

Photos taken by Art Young, Elizabeth Barnaby, Jen Odence, Lilyn Avendano, Marilyn Bermudez, Quan Haberstroh, Scott Dea 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.