Rainy weather in Wahiawa diverted Chris, Ferlino and myself to the end of the island. Plan B.

Kaena Point Tracking Station

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off in front of the guard shack, where we waited for our 4×4 rides to show up while we watched a couple of cannibal chickens peck at a roadkill.

Deja vu

I had a strange feeling that I’ve been down this road before.

Road

Entering the facility that has been tracking satellites since statehood.

Road

Leaving our escort behind us as we left the 153 acres of military controlled land.

Kuaokala Trail

Catching some fresh air before I was shaken, rattled and rolled to the truck bed and splattered with mud. The joys of off-roading. Somebody’s kid was amused at my misfortune.

Kuaokala Trail

What happens when you under-inflate your tire, you lose your bead. Luckily, somebody had a lot of toys on their jeep.

Trail runners

Are you guys with AAA?

Kuaokala Trail

I decided to sit out the rest of the ride safely ensconced in the truck cab.

Peacock Flats

We soon passed the Earl Pawn Campground and barreled our way up the road. Mahalo to Brian and Zack for driving us all the way to the trailhead. Saved our feet from pounding out many miles.

Mokuleia Trail

Stepping foot in the Pahole Natural Area Reserve.

Mokuleia Trail

Taking a well deserved break from the punishing 15 minute trail. It was brutal, stay hydrated my friends. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Mokuleia Trail

I guess somebody told these two about the birds and the bees.

Mokuleia Trail

Passing the shed with no signs of hanging avocados or ripe tangelos.

Waianae Summit Trail (WST)

Climbing out of the ravine to the WST.

Mokuleia Lookout

Group photo left to right: myself, Chris and Ferlino.

WST

Hiking underneath the ominous blanket of udderly striking clouds.

WST

Experiencing three different types of cloud formations in the mountains. It was quite the visual treat.

WST

Picking our way through the assorted rocks strewn on the trail.

WST

When the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing, let alone where it’s at.

WST

Making the push up the final hill. Almost there.

Three Corners

Panoramic view of Makaha and Makua Valleys.

WST

Bushwhacking our way through the dense and tangled thicket of uluhe ferns and thorny thimbleberry plants.

WST

A hop, skip, and a jump and we were back into the bushes.

King Kong Ridge (KKR)

Making our way down. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KKR

Dropping down the initial steep descent that was marked by weathered webbing. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KKR

Looking down at the stone sentinel that gives the ridge its name.

Pueo Falls

Watching the thousand-foot waterfall cascade down into the valley. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KKR

Scrambling our way to the top of the rock that resembles the iconic gorilla. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Halloween

An escapee from the local sanitarium, who after being locked up for 15 years wanted nothing but an ice cold soda. Lukewarm will do.

KKR

Contouring our way down another steep descent down the ridge.

Kahuna Cave

Going around the massive boulder that got deposited here ages ago. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KKR

Chris gathering some wild mushrooms. Magic, poisonous or edible?

KKR

If it’s true that we swallow four spiders a year while sleeping, I might as well do it awake. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Halloween II

Too soon for the sequel? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Mango Tree

No avocados or mangos on the trail for us to pick today. Farmer’s market was closed.

BWS

Passing through the head high and itchy California grass.

Makaha Icy Ponds

Some of us took a dip into the local watering hole. Splish for one and splash for the other.

Chain link fence

Chris and Ferlino coming up to the end of the road.

Temple of Lono

One of the best preserved Hawaiian temple in the islands.

got poi?

Passing by a taro patch on our way out. Just need to find a pua’a now.

All pau

We ended our 18.8 mile hike amongst the pecking peahens and the strangely deafening silence of the strutting peacocks. Another hike where the mileage was mostly done through sitting on our okoles as we bumped our way through the Waianae Mountains.

Post hike meal

Mahalo to Jasmin for picking us up and bringing us back to the Windward side of the island. Shout out to Analyn for bringing her home made oxtail soup and Shirley for her store bought dessert that made it one of the best post hike meals to date. We should do this more often.

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.