We met up with some mutual friends the second day when we found out they were also on Kauai.

Tip Top

Sunday September 3, 2023

Group photo in front of Tip Top Motel, Cafe, & Bakery that was started back in 1916 by Denjiro Ota, left to right: Ferlino, Val, Aileen, Scott, myself, Cinja, Mateo, Krissy and Alex.

Indy Falls

Walking down the road as Krissy was prepared to make a quick getaway if so needed.

Indy Falls

Bushwhacking our way through the overgrown trail dominated by Guinea grass.

Indy Falls

Cinja crossing Huleia Stream. Slippery when wet.

Indy Falls

The water going over the roughly 15′ drop was not of a voluminous flow.

Indy Falls

Looking at the falls from across the swimming hole.

Indy Falls

Krissy crossing over the falls.

Indy Falls

Standing on top of the falls.

Indy Falls

Climbing down to get a better vantage point.

Indy Falls

Aileen with a more picturesque backdrop.

Indy Falls

Ferlino hanging off a tree. No surprise.

Rice Monument

Group photo in front of the structure erected in 1925 for a man that was appointed the last Governor of Kauai by Queen Lili’uokalani in 1891 and two years later he helped to overthrow her and the Hawaiian monarchy. With friends like that …

Lawai Kai

Our next stop, we parked at a dead end street and dropped down to the crescent shaped beach.

Lawai Kai

The group practicing LNT and just leaving our footsteps.

Lawai Kai

Group photo at the beach where the rich and famous used to come and play. We were neither.

Lawai Kai

Mateo doing a handstand at the secluded and scenic beach.

Poipu

We took a break at the nearby shopping center after being diverted due to a run being held that day. Shrimp and shave ice filled most of our tummies.

Heritage Trail

Our next stop took us to Shipwreck Beach where we took a group photo on top of the 40′ cliff. No jumpers today.

Heritage Trail

Aileen looking for the shipwreck that reputedly disappeared back in 1982.

Heritage Trail

Stepping foot on the Mahaulepu Coastal Trail.

Heritage Trail

We soon dropped down to explore the sand-dune cliffs.

Heritage Trail

Standing in one of the erosional “caves.”

Heritage Trail

Alex peeking around the corner. Nothing to see. Move along.

Heritage Trail

The group making their way out.

Heritage Trail

Aileen climbing back onto the trail.

Heritage Trail

Scott traversing over the edge of the trail that is being constantly eroded and shaped by the winds and waves.

Heritage Trail

Ferlino balancing on the branch. Everybody else just hung from it. Strive to be different. Strive to be Ferlino.

Heritage Trail

Mount Haupu loomed in front of us.

Heritage Trail

Looking out at the cluster of spires composed of limestone and sandstone.

Heritage Trail

Reminds me of the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon in Utah.

Heritage Trail

Ferlino standing amongst the razor sharp pinnacles.

Heritage Trail

Walking around a cove on the beach.

Heritage Trail

Keeping a respectful distance from the Waiopili Heiau.

Heritage Trail

Looking out towards the sea cliffs that are bordered by the Poipu Bay Golf Course.

Heritage Trail

We came across a bunch of Nene or Hawaiian goose at the end of the trail. Kauai is home to roughly 2,400 of these rare birds.

Makauwahi Cave Reserve

Some of us went to get our cars and the rest explored the cave system and also decided to see the imported African spurred tortoises that were brought in to keep the weeds under control.

Makauwahi Cave Reserve

We spotted some that were using the vegetation as cover from the sun and seemingly eating coconut meat. The group split into their separate ways at the end of the day and we picked up Mari from the airport and had dinner at Bull Shed, a steak restaurant by the water.

Kountry Kitchen

Monday September 4, 2023

We woke up on our last day on the Garden Isle and had chicken poop for breakfast before heading out.

Boroboro Bridge

Getting our feet wet. No other way around it.

Boroboro Bridge

We soon came to a gate that was there to block unauthorized motor entry, a couple ATVs roared up behind us and quickly turned around.

Boroboro Bridge

Second stream crossing.

Boroboro Bridge

Our last stream crossing and the bridge that served as passage to higher ground in the event of flooding stood before us.

Boroboro Bridge

Ferlino was the first to cross the dilapidated plantation foot bridge that had snapped guide wires and missing or questionable planks.

Boroboro Bridge

Crossing over the Waimea river as raindrops kept falling on my head.

Boroboro Bridge

Don’t push me!

Boroboro Bridge

We saw a pair of horse riders going back on the trail.

Boroboro Bridge

The raindrops soon increased in intensity and size, so Aileen aborted her bridge crossing. A bridge too far.

Boroboro Bridge

Going back or so we thought. The rain soon stopped falling. That only meant one thing.

Boroboro Bridge

Aileen successfully crossing the bridge as two passing hikers going deeper into the valley looked up and said “No way.”

Boroboro Bridge

Making it back to our car in one piece.

Kalalau Lookout

Group photo at the socked in 4,000′ lookout that was blanketed by clouds.

Kalalau Lookout

I think Ferlino used to be a tree in his former life or a primate that used to climb trees.

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Climbing up to get a better vantage point than the roadside.

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Looking into the vastness and splendor that is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Aloha!

We left Kauai with fun memories and a bag of frozen Kauai shrimp that was bought in the Walmart parking lot. Felt like a bad drug deal. Many thanks to Scott again for his generous hospitality this past weekend and the fun company that made the trip worthwhile. A Hui Hou!

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Scott Dea, 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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

We joined the HTMC members only hike where ignorance is not bliss and leads one down the path to probation.

Briefing

Who is on probation again? And is that double secret probation? Photo by Chris Bautista.

Trailhead

We parked our carpooled vehicles at an undisclosed location and disappeared into the bushes to start our hike.

Trail

Some folks were expecting a walk in the park.

Stream crossing

They were even under the impression it could be done in slippers as well.

Trail

Somebody had the hike confused with another trail that started with the same consonant. Don’t worry, she’ll get it right on the next hike.

Dam

The water level was not spilling over the dam, so the club deemed it safe to continue hiking on the trail.

Stream crossing

Rock hopping our way across the stream.

Trail

Single filing our way through the corridor of strawberry guava trees.

Stream crossing

More rock hopping. I should have brought my spikes. Photo by Chris Bautista

Trail

Low clearance underneath the tangled thicket of hau branches.

Stream crossing

Our last stream crossing where only one pair of hiker’s shoes remained dry at the end. Sally Chow.

Trail snacks

Is that Janell or Yoly plucking the low hanging guava fruits? Stolen hat identity.

Swimming hole

We arrived at our intended destination. Some of us decided to venture beyond the pool. Photo by Chris Bautista

Wet ‘n’ Wild Hawaii

Floating in the water, some with and without the aid of flotation devices. Photos by Chris Bautista, Dale Yoshizu and Janell Tuttle.

Jacuzzi

Janell, Margaret, Petra, Katie and Jennifer in the churning waters. Photo by Dale Yoshizu

Stream

Ferlino with the Fabulous Five in the background. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

Time to spawn like a salmon and head upstream. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

Rock hopping galore. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

Swimming galore. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

Ferlino standing on selfie rock, a distant cousin of Pride Rock. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

Alternating between being humid and wet and cold and wet. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

I should’ve brought my spikes. Slow learner. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

Did you see the waterfall? Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stream

I had designated 1200 as the turnaround time, so the cries of “let’s continue” fell on my deaf ears. I turned around, while the rest continued ahead to find the waterfall. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Waterfalls

Chris, Ferlino and Yoly met up again with Steve who had pulled away from the group and had surged ahead on the trail, hoping to find a second waterfall beyond the first one. No such luck. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Waterfalls

Looks like Kalihi Ice Ponds. Another distant cousin. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Waterfalls

Total immersion. Photos by Ferlino Carinio and Yoly Bedford.

Tick Tock

Fun is over. Time to go back. Somebody is on probation. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Tunnel

Dale and others had the leisure of time to explore tunnels along the trail on our way back to the cars. Yoly made it back to our cars one minute before 1400. Talk about cutting it close. Probationary status secured.

All pau

Our hike covered 18.5 miles, where most of the mileage was chewed up by our cars, through harder than expected terrain and refreshing waters. Post hike meal at Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar & Grill, where paying with one credit card garnishes all the miles at the expense of others.

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.