West side is the best side, especially for hiking. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Alexis, Annalyn, Ferlino and myself off in Kea’au.

Trailhead

Starting our dawn retreat into the valley.

Ohikilolo Valley

Party of four for the horseback adventure tours? It’s amazing how a few years can commercialize this valley.

Ohikilolo Valley

Hiking on the rocky, dirt road with views of Kaena Point in the distance.

Ohikilolo Valley

Going off the beaten trail into the bushes and the fence line.

Ohikilolo Valley

Hunter’s tree stand doubling as a flag pole. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Ridge

Leaving the valley floor and vegetation behind as they soon yielded to the rocky spur ridge.

Ridge

Contouring and climbing our way up the short and steep spur ridge that was punctuated with rugged dikes. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Ridge

Looking back at the ocean views along with the bleating sounds of goats bouncing around the valley.

Ridge

Alexis scrambling her way up to the ridge line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Time to give our fingers a work out on the fenced ridge line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

But let’s take a fence selfie first. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Going up in the shadow of the sun.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The ridge separating Makua and Ohikilolo Valleys.

Ohikilolo Ridge

I was pleasantly surprised to find no decomposing goats as we made our steady climb up the ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Crossing an open section of the ridge before plunging into the mixed forested area right before the summit.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Ferlino mingling with the swarm of dragonflies that were dancing and darting around us at the broad clearing before the cabin. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Ohikilolo Cabin

Closed for business. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ohikilolo Outhouse

Open for business. BYOTP.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking ahead to the triangular peak of scooped out brains.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Keeping close to the fence line as the eroded ridge dropped off towards Kea’au.

Ohikilolo Summit

Group photo at the 3,052′ peak, left to right: Alexis, myself, Ferlino and Analyn. Clear views of Makua, Makaha and Ohikilolo Valleys were revolving around us, a primer for the upcoming Three Corners summit.

Ohikilolo Summit

Dropping off the peak. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Ohikilolo

Zig zagging our way down the severely eroded back side.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Back on the fence line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Fences for days. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Ohikilolo Ridge

All fences lead to Ka’ala. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The ridge widened enough to a point to take a scenic break.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Ferlino standing on the crumbly rock dragon. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The ridge continued to thin out in most sections, made even thinner with the fence line taking up valuable real estate.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Descending down the ridge with the help of the handy fence line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking ahead to Pueo Falls deep in Makaha Valley.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Analyn straddling the fence from the Windward to the Leeward side to contour around a boulder that interrupted the fence line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

I heard somebody yelling at us from Three Corners. Turned out to be Chris and Ted who had hiked in from Mokuleia.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Analyn contouring her way between the boulder and the fence line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Preparing to climb up the steepest section of the fenced ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking back at the rest of the group making their way up.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Rat country.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Twin views of Makaha and Makua Valleys.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Making the final push towards the summit.

Three Corners

Views of Makua, Makaha and Mokuleia valleys spinning around us.

Ridge

Thirty minutes of bushwhacking hell through the tangled mess of dense uluhe ferns and thorny thimbleberry plants lay ahead of us.

Ridge

We could finally see the road for the uluhe ferns, but not the see the mountain for the clouds.

Ka’ala Road

Alexis descending down through a corridor of uluhell ferns. The original plan was to exit from the Waianae Kaala Trail, but time and safety considerations dictated the easier option down.

Ka’ala Road

Walking down the five miles of paved road with mountain views.

Ka’ala Road

Road mirrors are good for blind turns and group selfies.

Pig Country

Barking loudly and carrying a big stick while walking down the road. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Ka’ala Road

Color check at the cow sign.

Ka’ala Road

Oops. It’s too late to turn back. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Ka’ala Road

The walk down the road soon turned into a farmers market hike with avocados and java plums being plucked and picked from the roadside.

Ka’ala Road

Hey guys, you don’t want to harvest some honey? Oh wait, those are wasps. Never mind. Photo by Alexis Widick.

Cow Problem #1

We saw a herd of cows blocking the road. Cover the backpack and replace the shirt. Patience is a virtue as they soon grew bored of watching us and moved off to greener pastures.

Cow Problem #2

I was walking down the road when Alexis yelled to let me know that a big, black cow was charging its way through the field towards my general direction. However, when the cow hooved the road, it looked at me and the rest of the group and decided to investigate the group, who promptly scattered up the hill. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Cow Problem #3

Further down the road, we saw a big bull blocking the road ahead of us, as his herd was crossing the road to move off to greener pastures as well. Patience was a virtue, yet again. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Ka’ala Road

I think we had our fill of pigs, cows, dogs and an angry farmer today. It was not a good day at Old McDonald’s farm. Photo by Alexis Widick.

All pau

Now all we had to do was wait for our ride. Sit down and wait. Wave at the passing cars and wait. Stand up and wait. Calling other options and wait. Sit down and wait. Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up despite the navigational and directional challenges.

GPS Tracks

We hiked 10.18 miles from Kea’au to Mokuleia on our coast to coast trek. Amazing adventure with good friends. Post hike meal at Restaurant Kunio. The long wait time was somewhat sated by extra helpings of their ono garlic edamame.

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.

After a month of relatively easy hikes, it was time to get my “hiking legs” back. And what better way to do that, than an ridge hike with the Caveman? That’s why I found myself in Tamura’s parking lot along with Marcus, George, Jay, Tom, Brian R, Darren, Brian C, Peter, Helen and Scott at 7:45am sharp. Adjusted for Hawaiian time of course.

The long dirt road

We then drove North on Farrington Highway until we passed Kea’au Beach Park and parked outside of the Lady of Kea’au, which is the former FHB recreation center. After climbing over the gate, we walked for about half an hour upon a series of roads while the sun started to break over the Waianae Mountain Range. We soon turned left into the treeline to follow a fence uphill, which we eventually hopped over to make our way up one of the side ridges.

Cardio climb

It was a steady cardio climb up the rocky ridge that was thinly covered by dry grasses and shrubs.

The fence

We soon found ourselves at the top of the ridge to face the fenceline which would pretty much run up all the way to the top of Ohikilolo. Of course, they were several rockfaces along the way up, that presented climbing opportunities to those inclined.

Free range goat

The saying “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” certainly applied to this goat that we found stuck in the fence. There seems to be much more green vegetation on the Makua Valley side, which is why this goat stuck his head through the fence to munch his lunch and was luckily freed by Jay, Darren and Peter.

Makua Valley

A nice view of Makua Valley from the ridgeline. The fence was installed to prevent goats and pigs from entering this valley and other protected areas. Photo by Tom Engle.

Skin and bones

Further up the ridge, we discovered the remains of a goat that wasn’t so lucky.

Scenic viewpoint

Taking two minutes to stop and enjoy the stellar views. I think Marcus gave us a break and actually gave us ten minutes.

Mountain cabin

Just before the summit of Ohikilolo, is a cabin in the mountains. Great timing as a passing rain shower pelted us briefly as we took refuge in the cabin. We took another short break inside the cabin, checking out the inside ( which can bunk up to 12 people ) and the great views of Ohikilolo and the surrounding mountain range. There is even an outhouse with outstanding views of Makua Valley, a good reason to take your time on the throne.

Pu’u Ohikilolo

We left the cabin to pick up the fenceline trail going up to the summit. While the fenceline is a blight on the landscape, it did come in handy in areas where the loose, brittle rocks made footing a little tricky.

Summit of Ohikilolo

We reached the 3,052′ pyramid summit of Pu’u Ohikilolo at 11:00am, with clear views of Makaha, Ohikilolo and Makua Valleys.

Panoramic view from Pu’u Ohikilolo

Click here for the larger image.

Going down the saddle to Pu’u Kea’au

We headed back down from the summit and turned left towards the saddle of Kea’au ridge. Photo by Scott Bowling.

Rock climbing ahead

We scrambled and climbed our way along the rocky ridge, absent was the fenceline. I guess there are places that even goats can’t climb over.

Climbing down the saddle

Climbing down the exposed dike formation was a litte tricky due to a small drop and gap in the rocks. Photo by Scott Bowling.

Top of Pu’u Kea’au

We topped out at the 2,650′ summit of Pu’u Kea’au at around 12:20pm, with the flat topped mountain of Ka’ala in the background. Bottom row left to right: George, myself, Jay and Tom. Top row left to right: Brian R., Darren, Brian C., Marcus, Peter, Helen and Scott.

Panoramic view from Pu’u Kea’au

Click here for the larger image.

Going down Kea’au ridge

We soon headed back down the ridge into Kea’au Valley.

Almost pau

George checking out a bunker on our way down.

GPS Tracks

The 6 1/2 mile hike took us exactly 6 hours to complete. The weather also blessed us by giving us cloud cover for most of the hike, which dialed down the notoriously hot Waianae sun.

We made the hour drive to the North Shore to meet up with the HTMC ( Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club ) to do their annual hike to Three Corners. We parked right outside the Mokuleia Forest Reserve Access Road, which is very popular with walkers, runners and bicyclists. After the obligatory briefing and checking in with the hike leader, we shoved off a little past 9am.

Gulch

We walked about two miles on the paved road until we came to a bend in the road and then hopped over the guardrail into the gulch. Parts of the gulch floor were covered with kukui nut shells which felt like ball bearings under our feet as we walked over them. We soon climbed over a fence meant to keep out pigs and other animals that can harm the native plants and birds. Then we followed the fenceline all the way to the top.

Mokuleia Trail

We eventually connected to the Mokuleia Trail where we ran into a couple Boy Scouts who were shoveling and compacting the trail. Be prepared. A little later, we walked into the HTMC camping site. After a brief water stop, we took the path going up Makua rim to continue the hike to Three Corners.

Ohikilolo ridge

We got to the top of Makua rim and took a left towards the trail to Three Corners. If you take a right you will hit the Kuaokala Trail that will take you to the northern end of the Waianae mountain range.

Follow the fenceline

We continued to follow the sign and fenceline as the ridge rollercoastered going up and down, mainly down. While the fence is a blight on the landscape, it sure does come in handy as a handhold.

Makaha valley

We got to to the top of Three Corners around 12:30pm. Just in time to eat lunch. Some of our hiking group had got separated and took a longer route to get to the top, but they didn’t seem the worse for wear.

Makua valley

Three Corners is aptly named because at this point you can see the valleys of Makua, Makaha and Mokuleia.

Mokuleia

We spent about half an hour up at the top eating lunch and taking pictures. Weather conditions cooperated in giving us a great hike and the the views that go along with it.

Peacock Flats

After our group came back down from the ridge and assembled at the HTMC camping site, two exit options were offered. Most of the hiking group decided to return the way we had come from. Our smaller group elected to continue down Mokuleia Trail, pass Peacock Flats and descend down the nearly four mile paved road back to the trailhead. While our route did prove faster coming down, it was harder on the feet as my blisters soon proved. And I had the Great Aloha Run the next day.

Glider

We got back to our cars after six hours of hiking and covering over ten miles. I wish I knew somebody who had the keys to these DLNR gates. That would sure save a lot of time pounding the pavement.