Our original destination was changed due to impaired physical conditions, so we ended up making the most of our weekend. All good.

Poamoho Road

Driving up 2WD the whole six miles. It’s not the car, it’s the driver that makes the road.

Poamoho Trail

It was a boys trip this weekend as the other usual female suspects were not feeling well.

Poamoho Trail

Scott entering the pearly gates of Poamoho where magical views await.

Poamoho Trail

Blink and you’ll miss the bench with views of the Waianae Mountain Range.

Poamoho Trail

Stepping foot on the mostly graded trail which by the looks of it was recently cleared of overgrowth.

Poamoho Trail

The group traversing over a landslide that since been reclaimed by Mother Nature. I remember when we hiked this same path five years ago and came across the fresh mass wasting of the trail. It was wrecked and DLNR subsequently closed it that following Monday and took months before the trail was reopened back to the public. Nothing in life is permanent, everything is temporary.

Poamoho Trail

Last chance to turn back. The maintained trail ends and who knows what lies beyond this gate.

Poamoho Trail

Entering the gulch and the stream crossing.

Cline Memorial

Standing next to the rock obelisk dedicated to avid hiker, Geraldine Cline who perished in a car accident in 1975. In 1978, friends and family each carried a small rock to build this memorial in her honor.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ summit with sweeping views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Chico and Scott entering the gates to step foot on the historic KST that originally spanned from Pupukea to Kipapa when it was first carved out of the mountains back in the 1930s.

KST

Panoramic views.

KST

The group contouring below the ridgeline.

KST

Back on the fence line.

KST

Is social distancing still a thing?

KST

Chico climbing up the hill to get away from the fence line.

KST

Back on the fence line. Theme of the day.

KST

The fence glove is getting a little long in the tooth.

KST

Brushing past the native mint that lacks the mint smell as there were no predatory animals to eat them back in the day.

KST

Group photo at the iconic boot junction. The KST sign is also getting long in the tooth.

KST

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

KST

Scott contouring around the fence line.

KST

The KST is this way!

KST

Passing a native lobelia plant that seemed on the verge of flowering.

Rabbit Hole

Group photo with the KST sign that has definitely seen better days.

Army Cabin

Cabin Sweet Cabin for the night.

Army Cabin

The face of exhaustion after lugging nine liters of water through the mountains.

Army Cabin

Cooking in the mountains. Everything tastes better in the outdoors. Especially steak!

Army Cabin

We all enjoyed watching the fiery sun setting behind the Waianae Mountains. No green flash but eye popping nevertheless.

Army Cabin

How many times can you be a shithead in one night? Some didn’t wait and find out and just went to sleep.

Sunday October 12, 2025

Army Cabin

Good morning from the Ko’olau Mountains! We cleaned up the cabin and even received two 5 gallon water bottles that was delivered by Menehune Water. Talk about commitment and dedication.

Army Cabin

Nothing like starting off your hike in early morning fog.

KST

Followed up by skin exfoliation through a cocktail of uluhe, clidemia, and fence line.

KST

Stepping in mud baths on the trail that draws out tensions and toxins as it rejuvenates the body with fermented soil and water.

KST

Nothing like cold wind on the exposed ridges to keep one chilled.

KST

The rising sun slowly burned off the morning fog revealing the valley views.

KST

We left the jungle behind us.

KST

Looking down at the snail habitat and of course, the awesome valley views.

KST

Man down! Chico seems to have a knack for finding false holes on the trail. He should have been a gravedigger.

Poamoho Trail

Descending down into the gulch as we left the summit.

Poamoho Trail

Low clearance. Luckily I washed out of the NBA tryouts.

All pau

Our cabin weekend with priceless views and a stunning sunset covered a little over 11 miles with awesome company. Aida, Mari, Roger and Tessa met us for our post hike meal at the restaurant chain (CPK) that was founded by two lawyers in 1985.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Kenny Lui, Scott Peterson 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.