In search of ridges that I have yet to hike; met up with Andy, Jen, Lilyn, and John today.

Trailhead

Some of us left our doors unlocked and crossed our fingers and hoped for the best as we started up the grassy and rocky ridge.

Kamaileunu Heiau

Skirting the ancient Hawaiian temple.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Mass in the mountains.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Coming up on the Makaha side of the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Stuart Ball calls this ridge, “the most rugged hike on the island.” Do this on a stiff summer day and one will wholeheartedly agree. Luckily, we were blessed with breezy and overcast conditions on our hike.

Pu’u Kamaileunu

Leaving behind the 1,085′ summit behind us and the sprawling solar farm, one of many that are popping up all over the island.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Checking out the valley views of Waianae and Lualualei.

Kamaileunu Ridge

John charging up the rocky ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Did lightning or a campfire burn this tree down to charcoal?

Kamaileunu Ridge

Less talking, more hiking.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Climbing up the steep stretch of the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Dropping into the saddle.

Pu’u Kepau’ula

Group photo at the 2,678′ summit, left to right: Lilyn, John, Andy, myself and Jen.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Why contour when you can climb?

Kamaileunu Ridge

Going through the ironwood grove.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Andy and Jen climbing one of many dikes on the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Passing through kiawe trees and cacti that dominated the ridge line.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Another puka or hole on the mountains.

Kamaileunu Ridge

John approaching the last pu’u or hill where we took our lunch.

Kamaileunu Ridge

End of the road for us. Group photo at the highest peak on the ridge at 3,206′. Somebody give it a name already. Expansive vista views of the valleys and nearby fluted cliffs and peaks of the Waianae Mountain Range were enjoyed by all.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Following the ribbons as we made our way back down the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Somebody was happy that they didn’t miss the puka this time around.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Lilyn and John climbing over the dike.

Kamaileunu Ridge

The imposing rock edifice that interrupted the fence line.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Contouring below the dike.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Back on the dike.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Jen taking the climbing option to heart.

Hunter’s Ridge

Going down the spur ridge. It later dawned on me that I have partially hiked this ridge back in 2014, when a bunch of us searched for a missing local boy by the name of Kalani Vierra. Unfortunately, he was never found.

Hunter’s Ridge

Some of us found bullet shells as we climbed our way down, hence the name of the ridge. Pickings were slim today.

Hunter’s Ridge

John checking out the brown massive cliffs in the gulch below us. Resembled a bear claw, cousin to the one in Waimanalo.

Hunter’s Ridge

Holding the pair of goat skulls that John had found on our hike down. It was later gifted to Andy.

Hunter’s Ridge

Somebody was trying to get someone’s attention.

Hunter’s Ridge

This fella? Packs of goats were seen running around the sides of the cliffs as if it was just a Sunday walk for them, which it was.

Hunter’s Ridge

This must be the steep parts that I had heard so much about. Yay!

Hunter’s Ridge

Climbing down the relentless ridge as the bottom couldn’t come soon enough.

Hunter’s Ridge

Scanning the bushes for something white, old and lost.

Hunter’s Ridge

The mountain had coughed up John’s cap from its Lost & Found collection.

Hunter’s Ridge

Passing through the field of waist high dry grass and rolling rocks underfoot.

All pau

Walking back to Andy’s truck that he had staged earlier in the nearby neighborhood. All vehicles were still present and intact. The best part of the hike.

GPS Tracks

Our hike with new and old friends covered a little over five miles over rough terrain decorated with decent views, bullet shells of assorted calibers and goat remains. Post hike meal at El Mariachi. There was no live music with our food.

Photos taken by Jen Odence, John Sage, Lilyn Avendano, Richard Anton St. Onge 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.

The goal of the hike was to get a close shave on the mountains today as Jasmin dropped Ferlino and myself off in the valley of screaming peacocks. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Makaha Valley

We were pleasantly surprised to see Aida, Analyn, Anne and Art chasing the preening peacocks for their photographs and not their feathers. Photo by Anne Fai.

Makaha Valley

Crossing the bone dry stream bed.

Mohala I Ka Wai

We saw taro. Laulau poke. We saw papayas. Now all we needed were chickens.

Kane’aki Heiau

No walking tours today.

OCCC

This is what happens when you have an early release of inmates due to unfounded fears of COVID19. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Makaha Valley

Following the bottlecap breadcrumbs through the forest as we picked up the trail.

Makaha Valley

Going up the steep hill. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Knife Edge

Taking a shaded break before heading out onto the exposed ridge. Photo by Anne Fai.

Knife Edge

Hope everybody slathered sunscreen on their exposed epidermis. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Knife Edge

Ferlino holding up the side of the rocks so that we could safely pass through. Photo by Art Young.

Knife Edge

Panoramic view of Makaha Valley.

Knife Edge

A hole in her heart. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Knife Edge

Aida climbing up one of many rock faces. Photo by Art Young.

Knife Edge

Contouring and climbing over the rocks. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Knife Edge

The group climbing up against the backdrop of the fluted flanks flowing down from Ohikilolo Ridge.

Knife Edge

Gaining elevation as we climbed up the rocky ridge line. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Knife Edge

The group climbing over the serrated rock section. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Knife Edge

More climbing and contouring on the ridge line.

Knife Edge

Taking a well deserved break. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Knife Edge

Burrowing our way through the tree line. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Knife Edge

Anne sitting on her “chair.” It was much more comfortable sitting on a pile of rocks than a thorny cacti. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Knife Edge

Scrambling up the ridge line.

Knife Edge

Giving a helping hand. Photo by Art Young.

Knife Edge

Analyn lending a helping foot? Photo by Art Young.

Knife Edge

Short scramble up to the terminus. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Knife Edge

Analyn pushing her way through the clump of pine trees.

The Pause that Refreshes

It would help if you take off the bottle cap. Photo by Anne Fai.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Group photo left to right: Ferlino, Anne, Analyn, Aida, Art and myself.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

The scenic views were too much to pass up for the group. Let’s take a bazillion photos.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Leaving the photo shoot behind us as we left the terminus.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Working our way through the overgrowth. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Looking up at another scenic spot. Translation to mean more photo shoots.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Art perched on the spot overlooking the giant notch we had to climb down and up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Scrambling down to our lunch spot. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Let’s take a break. Any objections?

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Settling down amongst the rocks for lunch and a free show. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

The free show was over. Got a buck?

Kamaile’unu Ridge

The group contouring their way carefully around the boulders perched on the edge.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Scrambling our way towards the big climb of the day. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Everybody did a great job of climbing up the notch, but nobody collected ten points today.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Top down view of the group clustered at the notch.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Contouring around the awkward rock. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Shaka on the rocks.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Art and Ferlino giving Aida two pairs of helping hands. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Traversing the boulder capped ridge. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

The ridge was liberally sprinkled with just enough annoying overgrowth mixed in with odd sized rocks. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Art and Aida climbing over the smaller rocks to get to the bigger rocks. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Last climb. Going up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Shaka in the mountains. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kamaile’unu Ridge

Aida threading her way through the tangled thicket of tree branches.

Kawiwi Summit

Meaningful and meaningless conversations over lunch. Are you paying attention Art?

Kawiwi Ridge

Leaving the summit behind us as it was all downhill from here.

Kawiwi Ridge

Art climbing his way down against the backdrop of the wide spread of the Waianae Mountains. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Analyn climbing her way down from the tricky crack.

Kawiwi Ridge

Touch, but don’t look. Oh wait, was it the other way around? Photo by Art Young.

Kawiwi Ridge

Are you sure this is the right way down? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Descending down the rocky dike of a ridge. Photo by Art Young.

Kawiwi Ridge

Ferlino against the backdrop of the largest coastal valley on the island.

Kawiwi Ridge

Art wanted a piece of the action as well.

Kawiwi Ridge

It’s easier going up than coming down. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

The group climbing down the ridge, one foothold and handhold at a time. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Anne emerging from the bushes.

Kawiwi Ridge

The group contouring around the ridge line as we dropped back down into the valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waianae Valley

Coming down the firebreak.

Farm to Table

What are you waiting for? An invitation? Hurry up and help us pick the parya leaves. Photo by Art Young.

All pau

Thanks to Jasmin for picking up our group with their freshly picked bitter melon leaves.

GPS Tracks

Our ridge to ridge hike covered 5.6 miles through sessions of rock climbing, scrambling and stunning valley views. Post hike meal at Jollibee where too many customers in the car made for a confused drive thru cashier. Thanks to the fun group that provided loud laughter outside and inside.

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.

I was still all wet from the soaking we had just had on the Ko’olau Mountains last weekend, so we headed off to the West side to enjoy a dry spell for a change. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Aida, Analyn, Dale, Ferlino, Sally, Tessa and myself out to the valley.

Waianae Valley

Walking up the much deserved maligned service road. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waianae Valley

Trading in the blistering paved road for Mother Earth. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Bittermelon patch

We saw Aunty picking dahon ng ampalaya for her mungo beans. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waianae Valley

Tessa crossing the flowing dam.

Waianae Valley

Going up the wide firebreak, which made it much easier to gain the spur ridge. Photo by Sally Chow.

Waianae Valley

Cardio puff up the short and steep hill. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Waianae Valley

The girls resting at the top of the firebreak. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Kawiwi Ridge

Tessa contouring to gain the ridge line. Ranch workers down below were yelling at us but their words were lost in the elevation.

Kawiwi Ridge

Starting our rocky climb up the ridge. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kawiwi Ridge

Analyn making her way up. I think we lost Dale around this point as he was feeling fatigued and went back down.

Kawiwi Ridge

Tessa scampering up the rocks. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Analyn pulling herself up.

Kawiwi Ridge

Going up the angled rocks. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kawiwi Ridge

Aida’s turn to go up. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kawiwi Ridge

Single file shuffling on the narrow ridge line. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Stepping stones that kept us out of the brush. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kawiwi Ridge

Aida hugging the steep rock face as she climbs her way up. Photo by Sally Chow.

Kawiwi Ridge

Tessa climbing her way up. Photo by Sally Chow.

Kawiwi Ridge

Sally coming up the progressively steep climb. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Tessa contouring around the rockface before climbing up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Aida against the backdrop of Waianae and Lualualei Valleys. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kawiwi Ridge

Tessa working her way to the tricky crack. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kawiwi Ridge

Somebody take my picture! Ate! Kuya!

Kawiwi Summit

Group photo left to right: Analyn, Tessa, myself, Aida, Sally and Ferlino. When you don’t have a mask to cover your face, a t-shirt or banana will do.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Somebody was quite limber today.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Sally coming down from the 2,957′ summit.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Traversing the narrow spine of the rocky ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Spotting and safety go hand in hand. Photo by Sally Chow.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Sally taking the low road. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Just do it. Double reinforcement.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Our first contact with the fence line meant to keep out pigs and goats from chewing up the native plants. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Leaving the fence behind us as we traded it for more rock climbing. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Puki Rock

The girls breaking down the language barrier by visual illustration.

Broken Teeth

Making our way over and around the boulders seemingly thrown at random on the ridge line.

Ohikilolo

Looking yonder at the pyramidal peak framed by the drifting clouds.

Broken Teeth

Go big or go home. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Analyn passing through a patch of pine trees.

Kamaileunu Ridge

The group making the slow climb to the top. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

No Name Peak Summit

The girls taking a break from their derrieres.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Making our way down from the 2,950′ summit.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Heading down the ridge line that buffered the rolling clouds. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Climbing down the fence line. Photo by Sally Chow.

Tiki Summit

Posers amongst the towering rocks that interrupted the ridge line.

Tiki Ridge

Going down the old hunter trail that Waianae Steve found and cleared.

Tiki Ridge

Contact with the first tiki.

Tiki Ridge

Two heads are better than one. Photo by Sally Chow.

Tiki Ridge

Going down one of several rock climbs. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Tiki Ridge

Tessa practicing for the upcoming pole dancing competition as we followed the red/white bottle caps on our way down. Photo by Sally Chow.

Waianae Valley

Analyn passing through Hawaii’s version of Middle Earth.

Waianae Valley

Trail meets the road. Analyn and Tessa hurried down the road to finish the job of picking bitter melon leaves.

All pau

Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up from the valley of the howling dogs.

GPS Tracks

Our 5.23 mile loop hike started and ended in Waianae Valley that were filled with rock climbs, narrow ridge crossings and great company. Post hike meal consisted of carbonated colas and melting ice cream. Times are tough when you can’t eat in.

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.

Kamaileunu Ridge in Waianae is probably one of the hardest hikes we have done to date and an experience I do not wish to duplicate anytime soon! It’s only seven miles round trip, but it will be one of the longest and toughest seven miles you will hike.

Trailhead

Our hike started on Maiuu Road which is off Farrington Highway and right across Waianae High School. The trailhead is at the end of the road before it turns left. We pushed through the grass to find the trail marked with pink ribbons and climbed over an old metal irrigation ditch and continued our hike up the rocky hill.

Kamaile heiau

The trail continues to the left of the Kamaile Heiau and contours around it until the ridge is regained . The peak on the coastline, is Mauna Lahilahi which used to be part of the Kamaileune ridge. We somehow missed Kuka’au’au cave which is supposed to be at the foot of the ridge. This cave was once fed by Keko’o Springs and used to irrigate large patches of taro back in the day.

Rolling hills

After the initial steep rocky climb, the trail turned into a grassy trail over several rolling hills that were populated by heavy goat droppings.

Panoramic view of Waianae and Makaha Valleys

Looking back from the ridge, we had superb views of Waianae and Makaha Valleys. I think that Kamaileunu Ridge boasts the best views of Leeward Oahu, hands down. Click here to see the original and much larger panoramic image.

Still going up

About a mile later, the trail became steeper marked with narrow dike rock formations.

Water break

We took a much needed water break at one of the false peaks after hiking for about 2 1/2 hours. The first part of the hike we hiked on the Makaha side of the mountain which gave us partial shade from the hot sun. From this point on, there was no place no hide from the heat. Except for a few meager patches scattered on the top parts of the ridge and the saddle of ironwood trees, there are no trees or substantial foliage to offer shelter and shade.

Goat kids

We came across two black goat kids on the trail that looked like they just dropped from a nannie goat, as they were still covered in placenta goo and were bleating and unable to even stand yet. Lucky for them, we were hikers and not hunters.

Waianae Valley

We stopped and admired the view of Waianae Valley while sucking more water. It was a beautiful day on the Leeward side, but unfortunately the beauty also came with scorching heat.

Goat lookouts

As we made our way up the ridge, we spotted numerous flocks of goats running full speed down the side ridges. I wonder how many goats met their end when they just ran off the ridge? We also spotted a couple of goats checking us out from a ridge above us. At this point on the trail, there is a goat fence on the ridge, we had decided it was easier to contour the trail on the Waianae Valley side.

False peaks

There are so many false peaks that I lost count of them, just when we thought we had gained the summit, we had to tackle another false peak. This really played with our heads when we went back, as just when we thought we were almost at the trailhead, another false peak after another would pop into view.  

Mount Ka'ala

We finally made it to the end of the trail with superb views of Mount Ka’ala and the Waianae coast and valleys. I believe we had passed the actual summit at 3,270 feet a little earlier, which is the third highest mountain after Mt. Ka’ala and Pu’u Kalena.

Going back down

Going back down was hot and hard on the knees as the entire trail is brittle rock which just pounded our joints. Also water became an issue. All our prior hikes, I would bring three 16 oz water bottles and would never drink all of them. This time I brought five bottles and shared one with my friend and ran out about halfway down the ridge. All I could think of while trudging down the ridge was grabbing an ice cold coke-strawberry slurpee from 7-11,  which is what we did immediately once our eight hour hike was over. When we finally got back down to the road, I was drained, sore and tired. Kamaileunu Ridge certainly lives up to it’s reputation as challenging to say the least.