In search of ridges that I have yet to hike; met up with Andy, Jen, Lilyn, and John today.

Trailhead

Some of us left our doors unlocked and crossed our fingers and hoped for the best as we started up the grassy and rocky ridge.

Kamaileunu Heiau

Skirting the ancient Hawaiian temple.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Mass in the mountains.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Coming up on the Makaha side of the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Stuart Ball calls this ridge, “the most rugged hike on the island.” Do this on a stiff summer day and one will wholeheartedly agree. Luckily, we were blessed with breezy and overcast conditions on our hike.

Pu’u Kamaileunu

Leaving behind the 1,085′ summit behind us and the sprawling solar farm, one of many that are popping up all over the island.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Checking out the valley views of Waianae and Lualualei.

Kamaileunu Ridge

John charging up the rocky ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Did lightning or a campfire burn this tree down to charcoal?

Kamaileunu Ridge

Less talking, more hiking.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Climbing up the steep stretch of the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Dropping into the saddle.

Pu’u Kepau’ula

Group photo at the 2,678′ summit, left to right: Lilyn, John, Andy, myself and Jen.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Why contour when you can climb?

Kamaileunu Ridge

Going through the ironwood grove.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Andy and Jen climbing one of many dikes on the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Passing through kiawe trees and cacti that dominated the ridge line.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Another puka or hole on the mountains.

Kamaileunu Ridge

John approaching the last pu’u or hill where we took our lunch.

Kamaileunu Ridge

End of the road for us. Group photo at the highest peak on the ridge at 3,206′. Somebody give it a name already. Expansive vista views of the valleys and nearby fluted cliffs and peaks of the Waianae Mountain Range were enjoyed by all.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Following the ribbons as we made our way back down the ridge.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Somebody was happy that they didn’t miss the puka this time around.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Lilyn and John climbing over the dike.

Kamaileunu Ridge

The imposing rock edifice that interrupted the fence line.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Contouring below the dike.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Back on the dike.

Kamaileunu Ridge

Jen taking the climbing option to heart.

Hunter’s Ridge

Going down the spur ridge. It later dawned on me that I have partially hiked this ridge back in 2014, when a bunch of us searched for a missing local boy by the name of Kalani Vierra. Unfortunately, he was never found.

Hunter’s Ridge

Some of us found bullet shells as we climbed our way down, hence the name of the ridge. Pickings were slim today.

Hunter’s Ridge

John checking out the brown massive cliffs in the gulch below us. Resembled a bear claw, cousin to the one in Waimanalo.

Hunter’s Ridge

Holding the pair of goat skulls that John had found on our hike down. It was later gifted to Andy.

Hunter’s Ridge

Somebody was trying to get someone’s attention.

Hunter’s Ridge

This fella? Packs of goats were seen running around the sides of the cliffs as if it was just a Sunday walk for them, which it was.

Hunter’s Ridge

This must be the steep parts that I had heard so much about. Yay!

Hunter’s Ridge

Climbing down the relentless ridge as the bottom couldn’t come soon enough.

Hunter’s Ridge

Scanning the bushes for something white, old and lost.

Hunter’s Ridge

The mountain had coughed up John’s cap from its Lost & Found collection.

Hunter’s Ridge

Passing through the field of waist high dry grass and rolling rocks underfoot.

All pau

Walking back to Andy’s truck that he had staged earlier in the nearby neighborhood. All vehicles were still present and intact. The best part of the hike.

GPS Tracks

Our hike with new and old friends covered a little over five miles over rough terrain decorated with decent views, bullet shells of assorted calibers and goat remains. Post hike meal at El Mariachi. There was no live music with our food.

Photos taken by Jen Odence, John Sage, Lilyn Avendano, Richard Anton St. Onge 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.