I had a hankering to revisit the entire Waianae Summit Trail. Helping me to scratch that itch again was Chris, Gen and Jose. Shout out to Brian who dropped us off deep in Waianae Valley.

Trailhead

A friendly hunter greeted us and advised us to sign in, just in case we got lost. Hmmm. We then talked about the hanging cloud system over Ka’ala and hoped it would clear up. The hunter quickly dissuaded us from such foolish notions, by saying it was sticking around. All day. And then some. Really? And then some?

The long road

Walking up the paved road. Loving it. Not. Click here for the larger image.

Harvest time

Waianae Farmer’s Market is now open. Bring your own knives.

The dirt trail

We left the road behind us and started following the purple caps and ribbons as we made our way up. Hiking bread crumbs. No time for picnicking.

Steady climb

Nothing like a good cardio workout to get your juices flowing in the morning.

Three poles

Scenic break overlooking Waianae Valley.

Follow the fence

We ran into a hiker that had returned from attempting to summit. He ran into the boulder section and couldn’t get past the slippery rocks. Better safe than sorry.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image of Bolo Head Ridge, Waianae Valley, Kamaileunu and Ohikilolo Ridges. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Boulders

Gen working her way up.

Slippery when wet

Safe. Not sorry.

Native forest

Chris making the final steep climb to the summit.

Mount Ka’ala

Group photo at the highest point on the island at 4,025′, left to right: Jose, myself, Gen and Chris.

On the boardwalk

Keeping our feet dry.

Off the boardwalk

Getting our feet wet.

Jewels of the forest

We ran across some native Hawaiian tree snails, of which only 25 known species are known to exist. Their habitats are found at the cooler, higher mountain elevations.

Got moss?

There was an actual flagged trail running through the misty bog that we followed.

Boggy day

Rain, rain go away.

Raindrops keep falling on our heads

Jose making his way down the cloudy exposed ridge.

Look out below

Gen getting ready to climb down the steep, rain slicked boulders.

Next

Chris making his way down.

Leap of faith

Jose looking back at the small gap that we had to get over.

Boulders in the mist

Inspected the inviting boulders. One day.

Heavy burden

Somebody always has to be different in the group. Guess who?

Hello fence

Abundant and abusive blackberry thorns became a major obstacle along this section. Hawaiian barbed wire. Ouch for miles.

Clearing up

We dropped in elevation below the cloud deck to gather some views and enjoyed a brief respite from the thorns in our sides.

Soaking in the views

Somebody was yelling about the views. She was drowned out in the mountain’s vast silence.

Scenic view

Click here for the larger image.

Landslide

Erosion at work.

Overgrown

Time for some trail clearing action. Break out the machete.

Hobbs terminus

Chris passing the junction with the spur ridge that comes up from Waianae Valley.

All smiles

We said goodbye to those pesky blackberry thorns. Or so we thought. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Ohia lehua

Brushing past the numerous crimson colored flowering evergreen trees. Make it rain.

Summit in sight

Getting closer to the top of Puu Kalena.

Fence interreptus

The fence line was soon interrupted by the earth that was rent asunder. Or something like that.

Climbing down

One person at a time.

Spikes?

Gen about to climb down a steep section. Needed extra traction.

Climbing up

Jose reaching for a hold to pull himself up.

Mossy ohia tree

Have a seat. Sign in. Make yourself comfortable.

Puu Kalena

Jumping for joy at the second highest peak on the island at 3,504′. I guess nobody gave me the memo.

Hitchhiker

Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly away home …

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Going down

Gen heading down from the summit.

Puu Ka’ilio

Looking down at the forbidden mountain.

Sumigaw!

The scream of nature. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Skinny section

Single file shuffle.

SeXXXy ridge

We hopped over the fence to pay a visit to sexy. ridge. that is. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Waiting

Patiently. Before the wind pushed me off the rock. Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Twister on the rocks

Everybody’s here. Say cheese.

Looking back

That was a fun little detour.

Dike crossing

The crew crossing the narrow sheeted rock.

Pu’u Kalena

The nipple of the Waianae mountain range.

Junction

Time to take our leave of the fence and head down. Missed that memo again.

Narrow dike

It was a little windy as we made our way down the steep descent.

Looking up

Coming down the mountain. Here we come. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Kolekole Pass

Making our way down to the lowest section on the Waianae range.

Surfing the mountain

Click here for the larger image. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Martians

Gen and Chris against the backdrop of the red, crumbly rock.

Sliding down

Making our way down the washed out section. Photo by Chris Bautista.

All pau

We dropped down onto Kolekole Pass Road and were picked up by Chris’s brother, Jonathan. Thank you!

GPS Tracks

The mountain and ridge hike covered a distance of roughly nine miles. Fun times with good friends. Post hike meal at Outback. Can’t go wrong with clam chowder and prime rib.