Bills were due and rules were made to be broken, and that’s how we ended up with today’s hike. Right muthafucka?

Trailhead

Thanks to Dale for dropping Frank, Shirley and myself off in the middle of nowhere. Winter is for the Waianaes. It’s also the time to bring headlamps. I guess some lists just aren’t meant to be read.

Access Road

We did a short cardio puff up the road. Reminds me of the road to Ka’ala. Not my favorite.

Peacock Flats

Let’s not wake up the campers. Who you calling white?

Trailhead

Starting our farewell hike.

Mokuleia Trail

Mexi-Kaida and Fili-Kaida. Unmasked.

Mokuleia Trail

Somebody was not fast enough to catch the nene.

WST

We turn left, right? Or right, left?

WST

Makua Valley. You’ll have to take my word for it.

WST

Rat country ahead. Rain country too.

WST

Jumping the fence.

WST

Going down the fence line.

WST

Picking our way amongst the scattered rocks and trees.

WST

Pulling ourselves up. One fence at a time.

WST

Three Corners is out there. You’ll have to take my word for it.

Mokuleia

There’s a view. Where?

WST

Frank making his way up, while sandwiched between a rock and a fence.

Lubricant optional

Shirley high fiving the self-pleasuring glove. Please wash your hands.

WST

We are here …

Three Corners

… to witness more stunning views of Makua, Makaha and Mokuleia. You’ll have to take my word for it.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Going down the rabbit hole.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hiking in the clouds. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

I didn’t know I would be hiking with The Flying Wallendas. Or at least one of them.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The clouds and rain showers started to clear as we made our way on the ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

We could see the ridge for the fences or was that the fences for the ridge?

Ohikilolo Ridge

Please keep your hands and feet on the fenced ridge at all times. Someone wasn’t paying attention. A theme that was to be repeated at the cabin.

Ohikilolo Ridge

A rollercoaster of a ridge. Multiple short ups and downs.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hanging into Makaha Valley. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Ridge

One hand for the fence and one for the shaka. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Somebody was kung-fu hiking.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Frank and I scrambling up the ridge. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The “Buttercup” look. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Frank getting out of the way, before a darky fell on him.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Shirley looking back as the clouds seemed to be chasing us down from the mountains. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

How do you sit on this? Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Rainbow in Makua Valley. I heard it leads to pots of UMX ( unexploded ordnance ).

Ohikilolo Ridge

Open for camping.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Climbing up from the boulder.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Now you see the clouds …

Ohikilolo Ridge

The fence took up valuable real estate on the ridge while affording us handholds and keeping out the unwanted ungulates. Give and take.

Ohikilolo Ridge

… and now you don’t see the clouds.

Ohikilolo Ridge

This grasshopper had the right idea on how to hike this ridge.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Climbing up from the notch.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Shirley climbing around and up the interrupted fence line.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Fences for days.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Fill in the blank and use your vivid imagination. Shirley wishes she had a ____ right now.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The Great Fence of Ohikilolo.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hiking into the wind. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Ridge

How to train your rock dragon. No caption credit given this time.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Almost there. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Always amazed to find these hardy plants living in such a parched and seemingly inhospitable terrain.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Mars slip and slide recreational area.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Pausing and posing. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Time to climb up to the triangular peak of Ohikilolo, but first … Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

… let’s have another IG photo shoot.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Overlooking Makua Valley. You don’t have to take my word for it. Photo by Shirley Hamamura.

Ohikilolo Backside

Let’s take the easy way up.

Ohikilolo Summit

Random group photos at the 3,052′ peak.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking out towards Pu’u Keaau on our way to the cabin.

Ohikilolo Outhouse

Throne with a view. BYOTP.

Cabin life

What’s for lunch? Cold burritos with rice and potatoes, courtesy of Frank. Homemade? Mexican.

Let’s pretend

And … ?

Ohikilolo Cabin

Saying goodbye to the cabin and the mountains.

Ohikilolo Ridge

All downhill. Rocky. Fenced.

Ohikilolo Ridge

The sun started to turn the ridge and valley into a sauna. Time to shed the sweater. Dry cleaned and pressed please.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Hanging ten on the fence hammocks.

Ohikilolo Ridge

What’s going on? Another IG photo shoot. I guess every dog has to have his day as well.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking out towards Kaena Point.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Shirley and I traversing the skinnier section of the fenced ridge. Photo by Frank Martinez.

Ohikilolo Ridge

I was pleasantly surprised that we did not run across any goats that thought the grass was greener on the other side.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Looking back at the ridge as the afternoon shade slowly creeped across the valley floor.

Ohikilolo Ridge

Frank and Shirley stepping over the fence to get to the other side.

Ohikilolo Ridge

How many IG photo shoots does this one make?

Ohikilolo Ridge

It was just a short, steep scramble down the rocky trail and out to the highway. Please leave the little ones at home.

All pau

My fingers are tired. Thanks to Frank’s buddy, Kyle, who picked us up and shuttled us back to our cars. Photo by Frank Martinez.

GPS Tracks

Our last hike of the year started off with clouds and rain showers, that soon turned into a cloudy and sunny beast of a ridge hike with fences and views for miles. 10.43 miles to be exact. Fun times with great company. Good memories. Happy New Year’s to all.

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.

Promising weather turned into perfect conditions for our hike this weekend. Dale, Gen, Jose, Rob, Ryan, Tom and myself met up on the West side. Thanks to Ryan’s sister and Dale for shuttling us to the trailhead. Chris B would join us after work.

Trailhead

We picked up the trail through the dry shrubs and grass off Farrington Highway to make our way up towards Upper Makua Cave.

Trail

A group of hikers resting on their way to the cave. No rest for the weary.

Trail

We branched off to the left to gain the spur ridge.

Makua Valley

Looking into Hawaii’s own death valley. Literally. Roaming cattle and military bombs slowly leached the life out of this once thriving Hawaiian community. You wouldn’t know it by looking at it from afar, as it’s off limits to the public, but the lush landscaped valley still hides unexploded ordnances from decades of military training. Click here for the larger image.

Trail

We soon got to the fence and started making our way up the spur ridge.

Trail

Dale waiting for his turn to climb up.

Trail

Making our way up to gain Ohikilolo ridge.

Trail

Rob holding down the fence for Tom to cross over. A hiker and a gentleman.

Looking back

Enjoying the view towards Kaena Point. Photo by Tom Engle.

Trail

The sun breaking over the mountains. It was going to be a hot day.

Looking back

Enjoying the shade while it lasted.

Trail

Walking on the narrow rock dike broke the monotony of the fence line.

Dead Goat Ridge

We started to run across many a goat that found out the hard way that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

Trail

Switched to the left side of the fence.

Trail

Not for long. Switched back to the right side of the fence.

Looking back

Ryan scrambling up the ridge with a sun bleached souvenir on his back.

Fence bed

Mountain accommodations for two.

Trail

Rob and Tom contouring around the fence line with Makaha Valley in the background.

Helipad

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a helicopter.

Looking back

Click here for the panoramic view.

Trail

Hiking on the eroded section of the ridge.

Looking back

Ryan, Dale and Gen making their way up.

Trail

We could see the forest for the trees. Koa trees.

Trail

Entering the introduced and native forest. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Ohikilolo

The triangular peak of Ohikilolo which roughly means scooped out brains.

Ohikilolo cabin

We had the cabin all to ourselves. Pays to have reservations.

Cabin life

I can see why a lot of people have taken a shine to this cabin. Wrap around lanai with mountain views. Bunks that can sleep up to 12 people. Rain catchment system provides drinking water and showers. Unfortunately, Dale could only enjoy the cabin with us for a few short hours before hiking back down. Photos by Dale Yoshizu.

Biodegradable

Deep thoughts. Outhouse with a view.

Mountain life

Group photo left to right: Tom, Rob, Jose, Gen, myself and Ryan.

Where there’s smoke there’s fire

When you do bad things in the mountains, you get held hostage at finger point. Rob was later released on his own recognizance. Photo by Genesaret Balladares.

Sunset

No green flash spotted.

Cooking by head lamps

Chris pushed up the ridge and arrived under cover of darkness to deliver our frozen steaks. Chefs Engle and Balladares prepping our food. Heavy on the oil and garlic please.

What’s for dinner?

The pit boss, Gen, presided over the grill to cook our steak, baby potatoes, corn on the cob, and garlic bread. We ate pretty well that night.

Night sky

The skies were clear. The winds were noticeably absent. Stunning mountain views. Grilled food. Great company. Glamping. Not quite. But pretty close.

Cheers

Cinammon fireball whisky to keep our tummies warm.

Lights out

No rodents paid us a visit as we bunked down for the night. Photo by Ryan Leano

Moon rise

Somebody got up in the middle of the night to catch the moon rising over Mount Ka’ala. Photo by Tom Engle

Good morning

Chilly Sunday morning. Ryan dragged the grill back into the cabin and applied liberal amounts of lighter fluid to kick start the heater.

Makua valley

Looking into the back of the valley.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Trail

We cleaned up after ourselves and checked out of the cabin to resume our second day of hiking.

Trail

Approaching the summit of Ohikilolo.

Pu’u Ohikilolo

Group photo at the 3,052′ sun-in-your-face summit.

Pu’u Ohikilolo

The crew scrambling down the crumbly backside.

Trail

A rocky rollercoaster ridge hike was ahead of us.

Looking back

Leaving the summit of Ohikilolo behind us.

Ohikilolo cabin

Looking back at the cabin. It was a sweet cabin. Photo by Tom Engle.

Trail

Hikers imitating goats on the ridge. Just don’t get your head stuck.

Looking back

Chris and Tom on the skinny ridge with the slowly receding view of Ohikilolo behind them.

Trail

All fences lead to Mount Ka’ala. Well, at least this one does.

Looking back

Chris coming down mini-Ohikilolo.

Makaha Valley

Back in 1855, this valley was sold for the princely sum of $5,000. In todays dollars that would roughly come out to $140,000. Trinkets and beads?

Trail

The fenced ridge line serpentined towards three corners.

Mountain yoga

Gen kicking it in the mountains.

Trail

Jose making his way down to a narrow section of the ridge.

Trail

Rob making his way down the steep rocky ridge.

Trail

Jose kicking it in the mountains.

Trail

Gen making her way down a steep climb. I guess the fence does come in handy. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Trail

The rest of the crew making their way down.

Trail

Ryan climbing up a short and steep rock.

Trail

Fence for miles. Or at least as far as the eye can see.

Trail

Ryan and Tom climbing their way down to the small rock obstacle.

Trail

Gen and Rob climbing up the last steep rock climb. Pretty vertical fence climb.

Trail

Chris and Jose enjoying the views from the ridge line.

Ohikilolo puka

Another hole in the Waianae mountains.

Trail

I don’t know about the rest of the crew, but my left arm was getting tired from hanging onto the fence as we made our way along the ridge.

Trail

In the thick of things. Things being shrubs and trees.

Trail

The final push to the summit. Almost there. Really.

Ohikilolo ridge

Looking back at the convoluted fence lined ridge that we had just traversed.

Three Corners

Afternoon siesta. Forget the group photo.

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Trail

Back in the jungle. The uluhell jungle.

Off trail

Is this the way? So many ribbons. So many choices.

Trail meets road

Chris and Ryan sliding down the uluhe covered cliff.

Mount Ka’ala Road

Roughly two miles. Uphill. Head down.

Uber

Where’s the driver?

Looking back

Even those of us with less than 20/5 vision could make out Ohikilolo cabin in the distance.

Double tuck

Somebody was smiling. Must like their pants pulled up high.

Mount Ka’ala Road

Tom walking up to the cell communications towers.

Weeping wall

Multiple choice: Are Ryan, Jose and Tom a) heeding the call of nature in a communal setting b) filling their bottles with the spring water flowing down from the top or c) being forced to face the wall for walking on Mount Ka’ala Road.

Mount Ka’ala Road

Arriving at the socked in summit. We met a bunch of hikers and asked for directions to Diamond Head. They weren’t buying it.

Ka’ala Nature Area Reserve

No views. Everybody was in a rush to get down to the valley floor. No breaks. Just straight down. Other hikers yielded to our stampede.

Trail meets road

One mile of paved goodness left to finish off the hike. Let it end.

All pau

Group photo with the legendary rainbow man himself, Laredo. Photo by Krista Robertson.

GPS Tracks

Our two day cabin hike covered 10.91 miles over rocky roller coasting ridges and stellar scenery with good friends. It was so much fun. Thanks to Chris’s friend, Emerito, for picking us up in Waianae Valley. Post hike meal at Outback. Hiking staple.

Walking back down from Waianae Valley after our failed attempt to hike Bolohead ridge was called off due to rainy conditions which made it unsafe to continue, we decided to end the day by exploring Upper Makua Cave.

Where is the trail?

We drove past Kaneana Cave, which I kick for myself for not stopping by and checking it out as I have never been to that cave as well. Several hundred yards after the cave, we parked on the side of Farrington Highway. There seemed to be several indistinct trails going up to the grassy gully, Scott and I and Jay and Marcus took two separate routes up to the cave.

Going up the gully

Going up the gradually increasing slope that was littered with loose rocks that constantly shifted under our weight, made it seem harder than it actually was.

Goat trails

Eventually we contoured to the right using what seemed like goat trails through the grassy incline.

Upper Makua Cave

Jay, Scott and myself standing in Upper Makua Cave. It took us about 30 minutes to reach the cave from the road.

Cave view

The cave is roughly 450 feet above sea level and affords one stunning views from Makua Beach to Kaena Point.

Cave-less view

Jay mentioned that other hikers have started from this point to continue on towards Ohikilolo. That would make for an interesting hike one day. After checking out the great views, we made our way back down and had a tasty lunch at Tacos & More in Waianae.