Met up with Jasmin and Jose to do a short ridge loop trail in Hawaii Kai.

Small climb

Climbed up a small cliff thick with bougainvillea bushes. Nothing like a poke in the morning to get the juices flowing.

Watch your step

Small mountain ball cacti.

Follow the poles

Jasmin and Jose following the electric poles to the top of the ridge.

Fact or fallacy

Glad to know that. I can sleep better at night now.

Mauna o Ahi Ridge

Looking back towards Maunalua Bay.

Which way does the wind blow?

Let me lick my finger and find out.

Exposed ridge

We were buffeted with blustery winds and blessed with overcast skies.

Not in season

Trail snacks not ready for plucking.

Canopy cover

Towering trees started to dominate and cover the ridge.

Make yourselves at home

Taking a short break.

Going up

Short cardio climb to the top, as the ridge took on a steeper slant.

Timber

Uprooted tree.

Mauna o Ahi summit

Group photo at the 1,735′ summit left to right: Jasmin, Jose and myself.

Mauna o Ahi Windward

Looking back at another steep Windward Ridge.

KSRT

We turned right on the Ko’olaus to continue the trail that weaved between the Windward and Leeward sides of the mountains.

Scenic view

Windward views of Waimanalo, Mokulua Islands and Kaneohe Bay.

Power lines

Providing power since 1891.

Ko’olau Mountains

It was a nice day on the mountains. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Detour

Flower power. Wilted orchid.

Pyramid Rock

We contoured on the Windward side to stay on the KSRT.

Flip side

Jasmin looking back at the Pyramid Rock from the Leeward side.

Rocky area

Looking out towards Hahione Valley and Koko Head.

Crumbly rock

Jasmin coming up the hard way.

Mariner’s Ridge Summit

Jose headed towards the lonely 1,361′ summit.

To the right

Your other right.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Kaluanui Ridge Summit

The original plan was to hike to Makapu’u, but due to time restrictions, we had to bail out at Mariner’s Ridge. A trail that is now closed to the general public. Several hiking clubs are granted limited access.

La, la, la

Jasmin be limbo. Jasmin be quick. Jasmin go unda limbo stick.

No traffic

The once bustling trail was now eerily empty going back down.

Petroglyph?

Signs of modern man.

Going back to nature

The trail is slowly being reclaimed by Mother Nature.

All pau

The trailhead is now blocked by a wrap around gate. Greased from top to bottom. Left to right. Jiffy Lube?

GPS Tracks

The breezy ridge loop hike covered 4.97 miles. Post hike meal at Aina Haina Chop Suey. Family Style. Pass the rice. Post hike run to Kaimuki Laundromat. Got quarters?