Some friends wanted to hike this fun ridge, I agreed to return on the condition that we do it from the bottom up. More bang for your buck.

Kahana State Park

Met up with Aida, Art, Chris, Dale, Kat, Katie, Lilyn, Tessa and Sally at one of the wettest spots on the island. Today was no exception as the area had obviously been drenched the night before.

Trailhead

A homeless hiker or squatter pointed us in the general direction of the ridge. We trusted that this was not to his camp and hungry friends.

Trail

Climbing up the steep spur ridge as we enjoyed cloudy views of Pu’u Ohulehule and Kahana Valley.

Trail

Scrambling over some rocks as we made our way up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

This was definitely not the spur ridge we had descended down six years ago. We must have turned up too early. The bright side was that this was a new spur ridge for all of us. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Trail

The look on Tessa’s face as Lilyn had just experienced a close call on the ridge. Photo by Sally Chow.

Human anchor

I was having flashbacks from Moanalua Saddle. Photo by Kat Fujiwara.

Piei Makai Ridge

Kat on the Piei ridge line.

Piei Makai Ridge

We began our gradual ascent up the ridge that became defined by narrow sections, drops of varying heights and overgrowth in all the right and wrong places.

Piei Makai Ridge

The cliff may appear larger than it seems. Photo by Dale Yoshizu

Piei Makai Ridge

I was climbing and trying not to get tangled in the snapped webbing when somebody suggested going the other way. Thanks Kat. Photo by Aida Gordon

Piei Makai Ridge

Katie scrambling her way up.

Piei Makai Ridge

Chris untangling the end of my webbing as we were going to be needing it again. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Piei Makai Ridge

Art at the approach to the first gap in the ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Piei Makai Ridge

The group downclimbing the notch.

Piei Makai Ridge

Lilyn hugging the rocks as she climbs her way up while somebody checks her watch, as Kat had shirts to fill and nails to hammer down.

Piei Makai Ridge

Need a helping hand? Don’t worry, I won’t bite. I’m not hungry yet. Photo by Tessa Bugay

Piei Makai Ridge

Scrambling up the ridge to probably the most photographed set of notches on the ridge, the ones where people recognize that this is Pu’u Piei Makai. Photo by Art Young.

Piei Makai Ridge

Going up and over was questionable as the rocks were steep and slick, so we dropped down to contour on the left. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Piei Makai Ridge

Making our way through the brush and rock. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Piei Makai Ridge

Lilyn pulling herself up.

Barefoot hiker

Tessa getting her feet dirty.

Piei Makai Ridge

Attempting to give pointers and motivation. Photo by Art Young.

Bus stop

Trying another form of motivation, climb up here or take the bus home. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Piei Makai Gym

When all else failed, Art and I did three sets of hoist the hiker up exercise. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Piei Makai Ridge

How windy was it on the ridge? Just ask Katie’s hair. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Piei Makai Ridge

Chris climbing up the wet ropes and slick rocks to the puka, while the rest of the group contoured to the right, claiming it was more sketchy their way. The jury is still out on that one.

Piei Makai Ridge

Scooting and scrambling our way on the ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Piei Makai Ridge

Hugging and contouring our way along the narrow crest. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Piei Makai Ridge

Kat guiding Sally down.

Piei Makai Ridge

Aida climbing down the side of the rock. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Piei Makai Ridge

The group escaping the bee swarm that evidently I had stirred up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Piei Makai Ridge

Standing on the rock pillar overlooking Kahana Bay. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Piei Trail

Tessa making her way down the initial steep ridge descent.

Piei Trail

Contorting our bodies to fit through the numerous fallen and twisted trees that blocked the trail.

Piei Trail

Group photo with the sun in our eyes, left to right: Kat, Tessa, Dale, Aida, myself, Katie, Sally, Lily, Art and Chris.

Piei Trail

Dale passing the unmarked cross for the unknown.

Piei Trail

Walking through the crunchy droppings of the hala trees on our way down.

All pau

Back on the highway as we made our way back to the parking lot. Fun hike that covered a scant 2.67 miles with good friends. Some of us had extra money in their pockets, as they didn’t need to spend it on bus fare. Post hike meal at Big City Diner.

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.