I was unable to fly out to attend a good friends wedding on Kauai, so I camped in the mountains instead this Memorial Day weekend.

North Shore

Thanks to Jess for giving Elena and myself a ride to the North Shore and Patrick Rorie for inviting me on an uncommon HTMC three day camping hike, Pupukea to Schofield-Waikane. However, plans had changed and so the direction of the hike was detoured to start at Laie instead. The original route was still open, so I joined Gordon and Nick as we got dropped off at the Boy Scout Camp.

Boy Scout Camp

Mahalo to Gordon’s daughter for dropping us off in her spanking brand new car. Nick, being the dutiful DOFAW employee, signed in for us at the start of the trail.

Pupukea Paalaa Uka Military Road

The road has been almost completely repaired from all the erosion damage over the past years. Bring back the Stryker Brigade! Joke.

Pupukea Paalaa Uka Military Road

Leaving the road for the trail. Saying goodbye to civilization for the weekend.

Black Junction

The start or end of the “official” Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST). Black Junction was named after sections of the mountains that the Army had color coded. Learn something new every day.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Pushing our way through the dense uluhe ferns, which are surprisingly endemic and not invasive.

Pu’u Hina

Leaving Pupukea summit after taking a short break at the top.

KST

Arriving at the halfway mark after hours of insufferable overgrowth, which resulted in more bushwhacking and no picture taking.

KST

The overgrowth for the most part soon tapered from head high to knee high overgrowth.

Laie Trail

Somebody made a new sign marking the trail that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s to reach the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Kawailoa

Making our way down to the bowl shaped depression. The original plan was to pitch tent on the summit of Kawailoa. However, inclement weather had a say in persuading the group to look for a more hospitable habitat. Unfortunately, Jess had enough of the cold weather and had bailed down the Laie Trail. The three of us decided to hunker down in the sheltered shadow of the summit.

Kawailoa

Day 2
The next morning, we emerged from our tents to another repeat of the rain parade from yesterday.

KST

Sloshing our way through the mud filled trail.

KST

We saw an unnamed waterfall in the distance being fed by the weekend showers.

KST

Going over the fence where we soon met up with the rest of the group. Eric, Gordon and Nick decided to go ahead of the main group, while I decided to hang with the group to meet new faces.

KST

Winona leaving the fence line behind her as we soon began our mud-filled journey of meandering through the Ko’olau Mountains.

KST

Sandy and Patrick traversing the small notch in the trail.

KST

Betsy and Josh going across a rather open area of the trail.

Papali Junction

Lunch break at the summit with Angela, Betsy, Elena, Josh, Pat, Patrick, Sandy and Winona. Radio communications established that Eric, Gordona and Nick were at what I like to call the “Rabbit Hole.”

KST

Winona experiencing deep mud immersion. People pay good money to get treated like this.

KST

Our last group photo at the “Rabbit Hole” with Elena, Josh and Winona who had decided to visit Opaeula Cabin while I continued my forward progress on the mud and rain soaked trail.

KST

Large sections of the fence line had been replaced which resulted in the trail being temporarily cleared of the overgrowth.

KST

The boot junction marked that I had roughly an hour to the summit.

Poamoho Summit

Last reunion with my original hiking buddies for the weekend before they continued to the cabin for the night and one more day of hiking to go down the Schofield-Waikane Trail. A big shout out to Art, Richie, Roseann and Tessa for driving up the jeep road with home made permit in hand to collect me at the summit and walking back down the trail to their 4×4 which saved me an extra five miles of unwanted walking.

Poamoho Cabin

Taro farmer at work. The pickings were rather slim today.

Poamoho Summit

Celebratory consumption of my favorite carbonated beverage on trail and off trail. #14 in the books.

Poamoho Trail

Tessa hiking on the trail, bum knee and toe. Trooper.

Poamoho Trail

Giving myself a facial cleaning. Am I using it wrong?

Poamoho Trail

Post hike meal shared with the mosquitoes at the trailhead. Mahalo to Roseann and Tessa for cooking Papaitan and Pork Adobo. Broke da mouth.

All pau

Going down the jeep road, we picked up two immensely grateful hikers who had underestimated the trail.

GPS Tracks

The two day holiday weekend hike covered 18.16 miles through the muddiest and overgrown sections of the Ko’olau Summit Trail. Mileage varied for the other hikers in the group. It was a nice meet and greet hike with one of the oldest hiking clubs in the islands. The mountains had claimed my sunglasses and one set of Nick’s micro-spikes, to be hopefully regurgitated one day to their rightful owners.

Photos taken by Art Young, Gordon Lau Jr, Nick Vargo, Tessa Bugay 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.

We went back to the land of cannibal chickens where the grass needed to be mowed and the bushes trimmed back. Wishful thinking.

Trailhead

Thanks to Daryl and Lilyn for shuttling Art, Barry, Chris, CJ, Quan, Tessa and myself from Laie. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

When the scare doesn’t go off as planned.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Repairing the road for the return of the Stryker Brigade? Photo by Art Young.

Pupukea Trail

Leaving the road for the trail. Don’t let the hunting dogs make you miss the turn off. Inside joke. Photo by Art Young.

Black Junction

Group photo at the traditional start of the 52 mile plus traverse along the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Pushing our way to the first summit of the day. Photo by Art Young.

Pu’u Hina

What do you do when not everybody wants to get up from their posterior to take the group photo. Ghetto improvisation.

KST

Leaving the summit for overgrown pastures. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Keep to the left to stay on track. Detour to the right to go off exploring the other side of the hill.

KST

Pushing our way through the overgrowth.

KST

Quan’s hair got into a tussle with Mother Nature. Guess who won? Photo by Art Young.

KST

Flagging the trail. Accidentally.

KST

Group photo at the halfway spot.

KST

Making our way to the lunch spot. What? The lunch spot!

Maleakahana Junction

From one hand to another. The old glove marker was getting long in the tooth.

KST

The overgrowth tapered off as … Photo by Barry Lau.

KST

… the trail meandered through the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Summit

Group photo at the foxhole left to right: Art, Chris, myself, Quan, CJ, Tessa and Barry.

Laie Trail

Leaving the 2,240′ summit.

Laie Trail

It was all downhill on the six mile graded trail punctuated with native forest, slippery rocks, uluhe ferns, landslides, pine trees and rutted trails.

Laie Trail

Passing the steep cliff on our left and coastal views on our right.

Laie Falls Junction

Somebody’s idea of washing their spikes in the waterfalls went out the window as the day became longer than expected. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Art in the middle of the stand of towering pine trees.

Laie Trail

Keeping up with the goat. Photo by Barry Lau.

Laie Trail

Some people come down in their own different ways. Photo by Art Young.

All pau

Catching the pine tree filtered sunset on our way down as we finished our 13 plus mile hike filled with stifling overgrowth and good company. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

GPS Tracks

Some people had to rush to go home and the beach. The rest of us had our post hike meal at Zippy’s where some people like to pay for expensive soup sans the oxtail.

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.

It was time to help another friend complete the Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST). Photo by Art Young.

Trailhead

Thanks to Jasmin and for the gate being open which resulted in us being dropped off directly at the beginning of the trail. Tessa was answering the call of nature which resulted in her missing the call of Uber, so Ferlino double backed to pick her up to complete the group.

Laie Trail

Katie coming up the heavily eroded and rutted hills.

Laie Trail

Ferlino at the technical start of the trail.

Laie Trail

Going through one of multiple blowdowns that are peppered throughout the trail.

Laie Trail

Taking a break in the shade from the sweltering sun as we waited for the rest of the group to catch up. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Laie Falls Junction

When the scare doesn’t go as planned. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Laie Trail

Ferlino showing his flexibility while holding a sharp blade. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Approaching the steep cliff on the trail. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Laie Trail

Katie making her way on the Windward side of the ridge.

Laie Summit

Art and Ferlino ascending towards the 2,240′ summit.

Summit shenanigans

Booty grab. Shake it like a salt shaker. Manipulate and articulate like a toy. Noon nap. Geocache.

Laie Summit

Group gyrations at the foxhole.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Lilyn showing us the way. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Passing underneath scattered native palm trees. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Enjoying the trail conditions while it lasted. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Bushwhackers at work on the trail. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Looking out towards the rugged Waianae Mountain Range. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

When the marker hits your olfactory senses before your visual senses. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Maleakahana Junction

The wilted marker looks like it needs a dose of nature’s sildenafil.

KST

Contouring our way through the Northern mountains. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Tree huggers. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Picking our way on the trail that was littered with false holes and shin high branches.

Hawaiian Candy

Chris playing with his food. Somebody didn’t listen to their parents growing up. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

Halfway there. Are we eating lunch in this mud? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lunch time

Trying to keep most of the noodles in the cup and less on the back pack. Not very successful, I might add. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

Back to our regularly scheduled program of bushwhacking. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KST

Taking nature’s eye test.

First aid

Despite staying away from sharp objects, somebody still got cut. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Tessa testing out nature’s cushion. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

Katie pushing her way through the almost constant overgrowth on the trail. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KST

Lilyn looking towards the heavens to ask if we are almost there. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Make way for the pinay with the machete! Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at the northernmost summit on the KST, left to right: Lilyn, Quan, myself, Ferlino, Katie, Art, Tessa and Chris.

KST

I want a picture too! All downhill from the 1,860′ summit. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Are we there yet?

We met Aida coming down the trail as Lilyn did a head count. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Black Junction

Pushing to the finish line where one cold can of Coke and a haku lei awaited. No pushing allowed. Dale, Jennifer and Narissa and two dogs, one that was somewhat over friendly were waiting for us at the sign that marked the end of the KST. I did my traditional celebratory champagne pouring after being coached into an abbreviated congratulatory speech to Katie for completing all the segments that make up the entire Ko’olau Summit Trail. Props to her for joining the KST club and finishing a major hiking accomplishment.

Black Junction

Group photo where not all eyeballs were focused on the same camera, left to right: Dale, Kamalani, Aida, Art, Lilyn, Tessa, myself, Hana, Katie, Jennifer, Petra (Facetime), Narissa, Ferlino, Quan and Chris.

Pupukea Trail

Art making his way out of the forest and back to civilization.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Where the trail meets the road. Expecting another champagne dousing? Limit one per customer.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Going down the road that never seems to end. Photo by Art Young.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Who let the dogs out? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Putting in extra cardio training with our dog trainer, Hana. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Aida shedding some light at the end of the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

All pau

#14. Congratulations again to Katie for finishing the entire Ko’olau Summit Trail which spans over 52 miles from Makapu’u to Pupukea. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

GPS Tracks

Our epic hike with good friends covered roughly 12.3 miles through the most overgrown and densely packed section of the KST, well some thought it wasn’t that bad. Post hike meal on the road sans the cannibal chickens, that included salt and vinegar chicken wings and chilled carbonated beverages. We topped it off with a side trip to McDonald’s to scarf down shakes, McFlurry’s and saimin. Hold the French fries. Thanks to Jasmin and Narissa for the rides back to our cars.

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.

What was supposed to have been a friend’s last section to complete the KST turned out to be just another day in the mountains. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Ferlino and myself at the Laie Falls trailhead where we also saw Allison, Anne, Art, Chris, Cisco, Janell and Tessa. Meeting hiking friends at the same hiking trails was getting to be a habit. Not a bad habit to break. Photo by Art Young.

AAA

Some of the guys helped unstuck a truck on the rocks. Just needed a lot of elbow grease. We had time to kill as somebody was running late.

Trailhead

Janell checking for her permit as we waited in the bushes for the straggler.

Building permit?

Cisco checking out the shelter just in case, but the rain forecast stated 14% probability. So we should be good. Famous last words. Photo by Anne Fai.

Laie Trail

Heading up the heavily rutted trail that only dirt bikers can love. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Trail

We were now in the 14% rain zone as we approached the grove of pine trees. Forgot my umbrella. Photo by Allison Banks.

Laie Falls

No side trip to the falls today. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Laie Trail

Going up through the trail that cut a swath through the thick carpet of uluhe ferns. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Trail

Allison and Janell on the trail cut into the side of the ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Laie Trail

The trail switching to the other side as we approached the summit. Photo by Art Young.

Laie Summit

It was getting lonely at the top, as the rains had left us but cool winds kept us company. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Laie Summit

Summit life. Never a dull moment. It was also Janell’s first time up here.

Laie Summit

Group shot in the foxhole, left to right: Cisco, Allison, Ferlino, Anne, Art, myself, Janell, Chris and Tessa. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Laie Summit

Leaving the 2,240′ summit. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Tessa heading into the wild untamed country of the Northern KST.

KST

When the overgrowth is taller than you, you know it’s going to be a long day.

KST

Can you spot the hikers for the loulu palm trees? Photo by Anne Fai.

KST

The overgrowth was more pronounced on the sheltered Leeward side of the trail. Photo by Anne Fai.

KST

Cisco going through knee high overgrowth. Photo by Art Young.

KST

Pushing our way through the wispy overgrowth.

Malaekahana Junction

The glove was looking a little limp. Not getting enough action in the mountains.

KST

Enjoying the Windward side of the trail.

Food Pantry

Some people come prepared. And then you have Art. At least we won’t starve in the mountains. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

Back on the trail after our short break.

KST

Following the trail as it meandered through the mountains. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

The group rounding one of many bends in the trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Green Pages

How do you feel about this trail? Anne let her finger do the talking.

KST

The group traversing the trail with the windmills pinwheeling in the background. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

Tessa disappearing into the uluhe overgrowth.

Lunch time

It was time put a dent in those canned goods. Spreading the wealth around aka pork and beans.

KST

Halfway there. The worse half of the bushwhacking was yet to come.

KST

Taking pictures on the trail. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KST

Where are my pictures?

KST

Plunging our way through the uluhe infested corridor of strawberry guava trees.

Peek-a-BOO!

I don’t know which is scarier, the uluhe or uki.

KST

When you’re in over your head.

KST

Taking a break from the punishing overgrowth. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KST

Allison and Cisco up to their necks in overgrowth. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu’u Hina

Group photo at the benchmark.

KST

Heading down the trail. Photo by Anne Fai.

Ukininam!

Trying to scare the COVID19 away. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Black Junction

The official end of the KST. Wish you could have been here Matt! Well, at least I didn’t have to carry the champagne around the whole day. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Pupukea Trail

When a tree falls in the forest, all it does is block the trail. Photo by Anne Fai.

Pupukea Trail

Leaving the trail to pound the pavement going back down.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Landslides are taking a toll on the military road that is slowly reverting back to Mother Nature. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Erosion at work

Wait, who’s going to take our picture and why are we sitting so close to the edge? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Bike Ramp

I didn’t get enough air time. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

All pau

Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up at the end of the congested road.

GPS Tracks

Our 12.9 mile hike through the most overgrown section of the KST was made bearable by the good company of friends. Post hike meal at Casa Carinio’s where we got to eat home made Chicken Papaya. Not enough to go.

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 decided to spend another camping weekend in the mountains, but on the KST this time around. Thanks to Lonnie for dropping Ani and myself off at the start of our hike.

Trailhead

No other hikers on the trail this morning, except …

Trail

… a friendly dog walker and her domesticated charges.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Enjoying the mountain shade until we curved around the road and greeted the morning sun.

Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road

Practicing my flood evacuation procedures. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Trail

Going off the beaten road and onto the beaten path.

Black Junction

Pushing off to start the official beginning of the Ko’olau Summit Trail.

Ko’olau Summit Trail (KST)

Making our way down the tree lined trail.

KST

Ani passing the separated and solitary ohia trees on our way to the small clearing at the top.

Pu’u Hina

Taking a short break at Pupukea Summit.

KST

Watching the windmills slowly pin wheeling at the Kahuku Wind Farm.

KST

Welcome to the jungle. Please keep your hands, arms and legs on the trail at all times. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Geocache

Is there a machete or sickle inside that leaky Tupperware container? Nope, back to pushing our way through the dense overgrowth which pulled, scratched and poked us six ways to Sunday.

KST

Shouldering our way through the Windward side of the trail. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

KST

Halfway there and my arms were already on fire. I should’ve worn long sleeves as this was not my first rodeo on this trail. Slow learner.

KST

Fighting gravity and the overgrowth as we pushed our way up the hill.

KST

Ani enjoying every minute on the overgrown trail. Lovin’ it. Maybe I was thinking of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese Value Meal instead.

Tree Cross

Service in the mountains. Does your body and soul good.

Malaekahana Junction

Watching the waves wrap around Laie Point before dropping down to contour on the Leeward side of the ridge.

KST

Ani pushing her way through the dense thicket of uluhell ferns and trees.

Laie Summit

Can we just camp here? Absolutely, positively not.

KST

Pushing on the Windward side of the ridge in a futile attempt to make the cabin before nightfall.

KST

Ani making her way out of the bowl shaped depression.

KST

We made contact with the beginning of the fence line and the rain just started dumping on us. Then the sun went away as well. Good times.

KST

Climbing over the fence only to find that the cabin was locked tighter than a drum. We ended up pitching our tent on the porch in the driving rain.

Koloa Cabin

Early morning bowel movements. Air freshener not included nor needed.

Koloa Cabin

Mahalo for the porch hospitality.

KST

Ani climbing over the fence to get back on the muddier trail. The mud pits that she heard so much about, she was about to experience it first hand.

KST

Contouring the carved trail on the Windward side as the sun and rain took turns bathing us.

KST

Hawaiian rainbow arcing from the mountain to the sea.

KST

Passing through a section of moss blanketed trees.

KST

Ani sloshing through the mud trail.

KST

Back on the exposed Windward side of the ridge line.

Papali Junction

What happened to the 10 minute break? It’s only been two minutes! Sorry, I went to public school.

The Pig and The Lady

Opening soon at a mountain near you. Fresh off the bone.

KST

Ani going through the gated fence that would take us to the other side of the fence.

KST Sign #3

One of four wooden KST signs on the trail.

KST

Following the fence to the smelly sock post.

KST

The ridge soon began opening up with wrap around never-fails-to-disappoint views of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys.

KST

Looking back at Pu’u Piei through the constricted views afforded by the narrow ravine.

KST

We can see the boot for the fence.

Bus Shelter

Let’s not miss the bus at Poamoho. Leaving at 1500.

Boot Junction

Ani finally got her whole 10 minute break at the boot junction.

KST

Background views of Manamana and Kanehoalani. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

KST

Are we on the right trail?

KST

Did we lose the fence?

KST

Are we on the right trail?

KST

We followed the outer fence line that shadowed the ridge.

KST

Hanging on the outside of the fence until we had to switch to the inside of the fence.

KST

The fence line soon ran into a blockade of trees and overgrowth which shunted us to the original trail.

KST

Yes, we are on the right trail. Please play another record. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

KST

This section of the KST affords the most bucolic views to be had from the mountains.

KST

Time to get off the fence line and join the crowd waiting for us at the summit.

Cline Memorial

We arrived at the summit around 1415, which gave us ample time to guzzle down the carbonated beverage and manapua that Chris so graciously brought us.

Poamoho Summit

Postcard perfect view of Punalu’u and Kahana Valleys. Thanks to Brian and Chris who met us at the summit; along with Andrew and Josh, two mainland welders from our work place. There were also two other hikers who happened to be visiting the summit as well, Jacey and Miles. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Poamoho Summit

Group photo at the 2,520′ summit; left to right: myself, Andrew, Brian, Miles, Jacey, Josh, Ani and Chris.

Poamoho Trail

People had places to go and Japanese food to eat, so we took our leave of the summit. Chris the Sherpa, lightened Ani’s burden by shouldering her backpack on our way down.

Poamoho Trail

Andrew and Josh fared suprisingly well in their sneakers on the muddy trail.

Poamoho Trail

Jacey and Miles making their way back on the graded trail.

Poamoho Trail

Ani at the trailhead. But wait, we’re not finished yet.

All pau

We still had to contend with and endure the bone jarring, head bashing 4×4 ride back down the five mile jeep road. Thanks Brian.

GPS Tracks

Our two day camping hike through the muddiest and overgrown sections of the KST covered just shy of 24 miles. Amazing adventure with an awesome buddy, who also doubles as a broken record player. Post hike meal at Alley’s Restaurant. Dinner on Ani. Mahalo! Thanks to Brian for picking us up at the trailhead and Chris for taking us back to our cars. A slice of pecan pie from Lonnie’s party ended our day.

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.