Love was in the air. Oh wait, that’s tomorrow. Met up with Bernice, Dale, Glenn, Justin, Thessa and Troy to hike an overgrown trail. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Trailhead

Everybody got their permits? Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Glenn, myself, Bernice, Thessa, Justin, Dale and Troy.

Rainbow

Of course, it had to rain on our parade. Rainbows don’t come free. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Pine Trees

Two trail runners followed me to this point and turned around. Do I really smell that bad?

Laie Falls

No visit to the waterfalls today.

Laie Trail

I can’t see the summit for the clouds.

Laie Summit

It was cold, rainy and windy at the top. Just another day in the Northern Ko’olaus. Views of Kahuku and Laie were denied to us by the smothering clouds. Photo by Justin Hirako..

Kawailoa

Talk about visiting another summit was scuttled by the incoming inclement weather.

KST

We soon left the summit to begin our hike on the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Laie Junction

Passing the trail back down to Laie.

KST

Traversing the overgrown and oftentimes indistinct trail.

KST

The trail meandered along the Windward side…

KST

…and switched back to the ridgeline.

Malaekahana Junction

We almost missed the junction in the soupy conditions. Luckily, Justin spotted what was left of the Malaekahana sign. Bits and pieces.

Malaekahana Trail

We left the KST and started making our way on the trail that time and hikers seemingly forgot.

Malaekahana Trail

Keep the country country. No worries here. Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Malaekahana Trail

Bushwhacking uphill through uluhe ferns. Always a joy. Especially for those wearing shorts.

Malaekahana Trail

The rest of the crew coming down the trail.

Malaekahana Trail

In between ridges and valleys. Group photo by Justin Hirako.

Malaekahana Trail

We’re not out of the woods or jungle yet.

Malaekahana Trail

The sun finally came out to play.

Malaekahana Trail

Wading through chest high ferns.

Malaekahana Trail

Dale taking the shortcut down.

Malaekahana Trail

We must be getting closer.

Malaekahana Trail

Did you hear that? Can somebody go down and search for my lost camera? Anybody? Crickets.

Malaekahana Trail

Some of us were more tuckered out than others from all the bushwhacking. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Malaekahana Trail

Wide open trail.

Malaekahana Trail

Running down the red dirt trail.

Malaekahana Trail

Riding down the red dirt trail.

Malaekahana Trail

Bernice looking back at the bikers and hikers on the trail.

Malaekahana Trail

Skirting the fenced part of the trail. Mooving right along.

Laie Trail

Just when we though we escaped the mud.

Laie Trail

Bone dry. The shoe washing station was closed today.

All pau

Where did all those colorful signs go? To the land of litigation most likely.

GPS Tracks

Our loop hike covered 9.64 miles. Thanks to Troy for leading us on this hike. Post hike meal at Papa Oles. Order separately or be prepared to wait a long time.

Note: I have been made aware the 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.