I had a vacation day to burn off so I spent it in the mountains.

Wiliwilinui Trail

Checked into the gated neighborhood that came into its own in the 1980s, this entire ridge was once home to Wiliwili trees that are now replaced by upscale homes.

Wiliwilinui Trail

Going up the stairs that were collecting mud puddles, missing the swing that used to be at the base of the stairs, until the powers that be dictated that was not safe and too much fun.

Wiliwilinui Trail

Standing underneath the power lines buzzing at a higher audible level due to the humidity in the air.

Wiliwilinui Trail

Looking back at the valley views.

Wiliwilinui Trail

I don’t think that is the regular gate. That is why we can’t have nice things.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Gained the first summit of the day at 2,480′ elevation with sweeping views.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Threading my way up the row of power line poles that were crackling due to the corona discharge.

Kulepeamoa Summit

No flapping chickens or papaya trees around. Getting hungry.

KSRT

Climbing up to the summit of True Lanipo, where pipe dreams go to die.

Pu’u Kainawa’aunui

The clouds soon erased any views upon reaching the fourth summit, leaving me to hike in a soupy fog.

KSRT

Glad I’m going down the BFH (Big F*cking Hill) this time around.

KSRT

The clouds wrapping around the tuff cone gave it a postcard picture effect.

Ka’au Crater

Standing at the “top” of the tuff cone that was created in Hawaiian legend when Maui’s fishhook snapped and landed in Palolo Valley and created the marsh filled crater.

KSRT

Pushing up to my last big climb of the day towards Mount Olympus.

Awa’awaloa Summit

My last summit of the day before I headed back down. The true summit is actually a little further up, but for all intents and purposes, this will suffice.

Wa’ahila Ridge

Running down the rutted section of the trail that separates Palolo and Manoa Valleys.

Wa’ahila Ridge

Manoa valley views where I soon crossed paths with the only other hiker I saw the whole day.

Wa’ahila Ridge

Took the junction which was the faster way down to the valley.

Kolowalu Trail

Enjoying the forest views and going down the slippery roots and rocks.

All pau

Five hours and fifty minute later, I found myself back in civilization. Thanks to Kenny for picking me up, stopping at Paradise Park to wash off and driving me back to my car. Post hike meal was tossing down some Taco Bell on the way home.

GPS Tracks

My vacay day turned hike clocked in at 6.74 miles where the weather was surprisingly kind as winds only buffeted me on the ridge and the heavens sparingly sprinkled me with water. Not a bad day to get in some cardio and mountain views.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Back to the mountains for another camping weekend. Met up with Ethan, Shirley and Yoly in Upper Manoa.

Trailhead

Ethan providing curbside assistance in the form of packing. No shoelace tying offered.

Trailhead

Let’s keep the noise down for the neighbors. Stay on the trail and watch out for blood thirsty mosquitoes. Let’s hike.

Kolowalu Trail

Shirley straddling one of many fallen trees on the trail.

Kolowalu Trail

Looking back at the view of Manoa Valley.

Kolowalu Trail

Going up the short, steep and heavily rooted trail.

Waahila Trail

Just asking. Are they ever going to maintain the trail beyond the sign?

Waahila Trail

Shirley going through the knee high uluhe ferns. Hiking wouldn’t be the same without them. Strange as that may sound.

Waahila Trail

Pushing up the last section of the steep and rutted trail. Glad it wasn’t raining today. Otherwise, it would have been mud city.

Awaawaloa Summit

Group photo at the 2,486′ summit with Ka’au Crater behind us, left to right: myself, Yoly, Ethan and Shirley.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail

We briefly chatted with some other hikers and left the summit to drop down onto the trail.

KSRT

Looking back at the summit more commonly known as Mount Olympus.

KSRT

Making our way towards the power lines that tower over one of three tuff cones on the island.

Ka’au Crater

We ran across some European hikers and failed to take a single picture of the crater. I think this spot is the last we saw of Yoly’s Hana Pa’a hat.

Kainawa’au Summit

Yoly making her way up to the summit where the Mau’umae ridge trail terminates.

KSRT

Shirley headed towards the peak of True Lanipo.

KSRT

Coming down to a stunning valley view of town. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

True Lanipo Summit

I have a dream. A pipe dream? Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Headed down to the HECO poles that bridge the power divide between Leeward and Windward.

KSRT

Shirley and Yoly vying to be the next HECO pole replacements.

KSRT

Enjoying the relatively wide open roped trail while it lasts, courtesy of HECO.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Group photo at the 2,480′ congested summit, left to right: Yoly, Shirley, myself and Ethan.

KSRT

We left the teeming summit to resume our hike.

KSRT

Two way traffic on the trail. Who yields first?

Hawaii Loa Summit

The minimalist hiker, who eschews fancy hiking shoes and gear, has come home to roost. I don’t need your offers of water or food, but thank you. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Hawaii Loa Summit

Panoramic view from the 2,520′ summit.

KSRT

Back on the trail.

Kulepeamoa Summit

Can you see the palm tree from 2,480’? Photo by Shirley.

Pu’u o Kona Summit

Ethan took his leave of us, as he had a house to watch and left us in a cloud of uluhe ferns and dust.

KSRT

Shirley dropping down from the summit.

KSRT

Yoly passing over an eroded section of the trail.

KSRT

Headed towards our camp site. Or so we thought.

KSRT

This is not going to work after all. So much for the IG photo shoot. Plan B. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Leaving behind compacted dirt and crushed dreams.

KSRT

Shirley on the exposed and eroded section of the trail.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Yoly decided that her dwindling water supply necessitated a return down the trail with promises of returning the next day with breakfast service or something close to it. We set up our tents and got ready for cooking when a loud scream cut through the air and a bare footed Shirley ran after her rolling water bottle down the cliff. Something to have experienced in person.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Tucked away in our tents for the windy night. Chris had summited with Ted earlier in the evening to join us at the camp site. Ted shot a couple sunset photos and trotted down the Kuli’ou’ou Trail to go back home. Photo by Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Our first visitor at the summit to greet the sunrise with us.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Squatters in the tent. Oh, it’s Yoly! Photo by Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Sunrise group photo at the windy 2,028′ summit, left to right: Chris, myself, Yoly and Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Chris jumping for joy. Photo by Shirley.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

Guess who brought us carbonated beverages for breakfast?

KSRT

The summit began to slowly fill with hikers as we left the summit.

KSRT

Looking back as we saw more hikers joining the swelling crowd at the top.

Hahaione Junction

Group photo of a semi-dressed, over dressed and dressed hikers.

KSRT

Shirley trudging up through a carpet of pine needles.

KSRT

Yoly at a scenic point.

KSRT

Winding our way through the heavily forested section of the trail.

KSRT

We broke out of the forest to the exposed section of the trail affording scenic views of the East Valleys.

KSRT

Making our way to Mariner’s Ridge Summit.

Kaluanui Summit

Looking up towards the sunny top.

Kaluanui Summit

The group making their way up the rocky cliff to the abandoned summit.

Kaluanui Summit

Can you see us? Chris and Yoly hiked up to the knob.

Kaluanui Summit

Can you see us? We stayed back at the summit. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Kaluanui Summit

Shirley showing how to climb and pose at the same time.

Kaluanui Summit

Group photo at the top of Mariner’s Windward Ridge.

KSRT

Looking out towards Waimanalo with her white sand beaches and inviting blue green water.

KSRT

Hike like a snake.

KSRT

Breaking free of the overgrowth to the open rocky ridge line.

KSRT

Looking out towards Koko Crater.

KSRT

We are hiking through another dimension, a dimension not only of pose offs…

KSRT

…but one captured through composition and lighting.

KSRT

We are hiking into a land where time stands still. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

You unlock this door with the key of the perfect photo. Fail and you are stuck in photographic purgatory. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

You’re moving into a land of colors, shapes and lines. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of angle and perspective. Photo by Chris.

KSRT

You’ve just crossed over into the Photo Shoot Zone.

Bells Tower

Climbing up the rock formation also known as Rito’s Tower.

KSRT

Looking out at Keahupuamaunalua Pond that once sprawled over 500 acres but has since been shrunk by urban constriction and development.

Tom Tom Ridge

The Windward ridge that will take you to the bottom of Waimanalo.

KSRT

Whack-a-hiker. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Shirley looking down into the deep gorge.

KSRT

Cliff notes on rock climbing.

KSRT

Time to leave all this fun behind us as we had places to go. Other photo shoots were waiting on the trail.

KSRT

Shirley sitting on a tree … Wait, we are missing someone ….

KSRT

… Let’s go back to hiking.

Kamiloiki Summit

Group photo minus one at the 1,245′ summit. Dropping elevation as we made our way down the ridge line.

KSRT

Panoramic view of the Ko’olau Range and the Waimanalo basin.

KSRT

Approaching the communications tower.

KSRT

Humping the middle of the saddle.

KSRT

Coming up from the saddle. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

Yoly sitting on a rock.

KSRT

Shirley sitting on a different rock.

KSRT

Yoly scrambling her way to the top.

KSRT

Just missing the bars, I mean doors. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Dead Man’s Catwalk

I guess it worked. Tear it down and they will stop coming. Haiku stairs – watch out.

KSRT

A plastic lawn chair with a million dollar view.

KSRT

Enjoying the sweeping views of Manana and Kaohikaipu Islands, Makai Pier, Sea Life Park and Makapu’u Lighthouse as we continued our way down.

KSRT

Making our way down to the puka.

KSRT

Looking straight down the backside of Kohelepelepe.

Makapu’u Puka

Warming up for another photo shoot … Photo by Shirley.

Makapu’u Puka

… because you can’t just take one photo at the puka.

KSRT

Hiker see … Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

… hiker do.

KSRT

Shaka in the puka. Photo by Shirley.

KSRT

We were blessed with trade winds and overcast conditions which helped immensely as there was no shade on this section of the trail.

KSRT

Sun beams splashing across the landscape and washing over the group. Magical and mystical. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

KSRT

Making our way down to the lookout.

Kalanianaole Highway

Why did the hiker cross the road? To join the other hikers. Photo by Shirley.

All pau

Going to the lighthouse? Not today. Mahalo to Jasmin for picking us up at the lookout. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

GPS Tracks

Our weekend hike covered 14.3 miles that was blessed with beautiful weather, fun times and great company. Post hike meal at Kona Brewery Company, because somebody wanted to quaff a beer labeled in the islands but brewed in California.

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.

When I heard that HTMC was going down Waiakeakua Falls, I jumped at the chance to go visit another new place. Glenn picked me up and we met the other club members by the Manoa Chinese Cemetery. We also witnessed why hikers in general get a bad rap from the stupid minority of hikers who fail to exercise common sense. Another hiker with a different group blocked somebody’s driveway and some sort of accident ensued, with the obvious unpleasant outcome as a result. I fail to see why people can’t just follow a couple rules – don’t block people’s driveways, don’t use their garden hoses, don’t leave trash and don’t make a lot of noise. Is that too much to ask? Time to get off my soapbox and start hiking!

The briefing

Thea, the hike leader, told us during the briefing that we weren’t going down Waiakeakua Falls as originally planned, but would instead go down Manoa Middle Ridge. Bummers. I saw a couple of familiar faces in the group, Bob and Randy, from prior hikes.

Which way to go?

A couple hikers split from the main group and went on the Puu Pia trail. They wanted to go up the Manoa Middle Ridge and would meet us at the top.

Kolowalu Trail

The rest of us made our way uphill on the Kolowalu trail.

Wa’ahila Trail

An hour later, we were at the junction that went up the “unmaintained” part of the Wa’ahila trail.

Clearing

It was shaping up to be a nice day on the Koolau’s. There are three of these clearings as you make your way up to Olympus. Perfect times to take pictures and catch your breath.

Panoramic view of town

Click here for the larger image.

Dirt + Water = Mud

When Mother Nature turns on the faucets, this section literally becomes a mud slide.

Mount Olympus

This is the closest we came to Olympus. Even though the hike was billed as going to Olympus, there were no takers. What a shame as Olympus is usually swathed in clouds, today was the exception.

Headed to the Koolau Summit Ridge Trail

We went back down the trail a bit until we connected to the KSRT ( Koolau Summit Ridge Trail ).

Koolau Summit Ridge Trail

It’s always a blast to be walking on top of the Koolau’s, especially when the weather cooperates and gives unrestricted views as far as the eye can see.

Looking for the “sedan” rock

As we made our way along the ridge, we failed to see the rock formation that looked like a “sedan.” Must have been more like a smart car. But we did pass the trail that would have took us down to Waiakeakua Falls. Another hike for another day.

Which way does the wind blow?

It’s always interesting to see how the wind shapes the trees and terrain up in the mountains.

Making it up to the Manoa Middle Ridge

The rest of the group making their way up to meet us at the top of Manoa Middle.

Lunch time

What a lunch spot!

Manoa Valley

After we filled our bellies and stretched our legs, some of us headed down the Manoa Middle Ridge. Hikers can thank the HTMC for clearing this trail going down into Manoa Valley. The rest stayed to enjoy the views a little bit longer. Who could blame them?

A big tree

As we lost elevation coming down the ridge, these huge trees started looming over us and forming a canopy at the lower elevation.

Ridge going down towards Waiakeakua Falls

We spotted the ridge that would have taken us to Waiakeakua Falls to our left.

Upstream

Exploring a little bit upstream, we found a rock dating back to 1891. It’s always amazing what one can find in these valleys. You just have to take the time to look.

Queen’s Bath

The water at this popular watering hole was so crisp and clear, it was almost out of a spring water commercial.

Until we meet again

We bid farewell to one of the group as he followed the stream out to his house in Manoa. We had a short cardio blast going up this small hill past these huge Chinese Fan Palm Trees.

Puu Pia trail

After a short climb to the top, we made a left and followed the Puu Pia trail out back to our cars.

GPS tracks

The 5.4 mile leisurely paced hike took us about 5 1/2 hours to complete. Even though we didn’t get to go down Waiakeakua Falls, it was still a fun hike.