I did a more inclusive hike this weekend. Somebody said I should do more of these. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Trailhead

Met up with Aida, Dale, Marilyn, Matt, Quan and Tessa in the city of pines.

Wahiawa Hills

We cut through the eucalyptus forest to start our hike.

Wahiawa Hills

Dale capturing the moving clouds rolling through the hills. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Wahiawa Hills

The group coming down the heavily rooted slippery slope.

Wahiawa Hills

Matt using the balancing shovel as he made his way across the log. Whatever works. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Wahiawa Hills

Going down the right (left) junction to stay on trail.

Wahiawa Hills

Dropping down to cross the longest stream on the island.

Kaukonahua Stream

Fording the wide and shallow stream.

Wahiawa Hills

There’s a reason why this place is called Wahiawa Hills and not Flats. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Wahiawa Hills

Hike down. Hike up. Repeat until your desired destination is reached. Photo by Marilyn Bermudez.

Wahiawa Hills

Detouring off the loop trail.

Wahiawa Hills

The sunlight poked holes through the dense forest canopy. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Wahiawa Hills

Descending our way down to the irrigation tunnel.

Wahiawa Hills

Watching our steps as the rocks underfoot were slick and shifting.

Wahiawa Hills

Matt wanted to explore further down the stream before wading into the tunnel. Lucky I brought my webbing along. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Wahiawa Hills

Thanks to Quan for letting me borrow her spikes for that added traction on that slippery log. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Wahiawa Hills

Exploring downstream that was cluttered with lots of trees that must have been swept down from the numerous flash floods that engorges the streams. Photos by Matt Vidaurri.

Wahiawa Hills

Dale and Marilyn tried their footing on the slick log as we climbed our way back up.

Underworld

The water depth changed as we moved deeper into the tunnel, but the temperature remained constant. Cold. Ice cold. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Underworld

Approaching the light at the end of the tunnel.

Underworld

The poor man’s waterfall.

Underworld

Matt the beaver worked his way through the tree branches blocking the gate to see what was on the other side.

Underworld

Group photo left to right: Dale, Tessa, Marilyn, myself, Quan, Matt and Aida.

Underworld

Some of us found it harder to leave than the others. The draw of the photoshoot was stronger than plunging back into ice cold water. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Underworld

Aida approaching the end of the tunnel. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Underworld

Tessa keeping all her goodies dry. Well not all of them. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Wahiawa Hills

When you don’t offer a helping hand, but give a stick instead.

Wahiawa Hills

Quan coming up the steep hill. Cardio hill has nothing on this one. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Wahiawa Hills

Dale had to leave the hike; but Ani, Cathy and Edgar joined the group at the top of the hill.

Black Hawk Down

Behind the production scene. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Hawaiian Ninja Warrior

Only Matt made the cut. The rest of us have to stay on the sidewalks.

Ranger Rejects

I guess most of us are not getting our diplomas. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Wahiawa

When the 2D and 3D worlds collide, expectations fail to meet reality.

Wahiawa

Taking a break from the uluhe ferns that dominated the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Valve Tower

Ani approaching the over 100′ tower that was built in the 1920s.

Valve Tower

Angles and perspectives.

Valve Tower

Group photo in the Ku Tree Reservoir, left to right: Ani, Quan, Cat, Edgar, myself, Marilyn, Matt, Aida and Tessa.

Wahiawa

Climbing out of the empty lake. Photo by Aida Gordon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9g9kVueNoI

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our valve tower exploration.

Wahiawa

We picked up another hiker in the form of the forgetful hiker who met us at the top.

My Precious!

Somebody was making the most out of finding a gold ring.

Catwalk

The dancing stopped as soon as somebody realized there were no dollar bills being taken out.

Weekend Warriors

We wanted to be all you can be; so we headed down the road to test our speed, endurance and agility. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Tarzan

Only one of us could monkey the bars. Two-way traffic on the balance beams. Somebody thought it was the place to practice their bachata moves.

Obstacle Course

The course evaluators relaxing in the shade. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Easy Balancer

Easy Peasy Japanesey. Being politically incorrect.

Vaults

We all got over the bars in our own ways. Some more graceful than others.

Swing, Stop and Jump

Most of us swung around without any direction until we got stopped and then jumped to the ground. Not exactly how it’s supposed to be done. Matt the Hawaiian Ninja Warrior was the only one to tap the top.

Belly Over

How do you get up there?

Island Hopper

Stretching those legs.

Obstacle Course

Nothing to see here. Move along. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Low Crawl

Somebody wouldn’t have popped up early if there was machine gun fire over our heads. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Wahiawa

Scrambling our way out of the hills.

Wahiawa

Walking our way out. It’s still daylight! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Wahiawa

I hear you knocking, but you can’t come out.

All pau

Our fun exploration day covered over seven miles in the rolling hills of Wahiawa that gave us cardiovascular and physical exercise all rolled up into one hike. Post hike meal at Chicken in a Barrel. I guess it’s all in how you say it.

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.

Met up with Chris, Christine, Cisco, Ferlino and Janell to do some possible river riding on the longest stream on the island. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Trailhead

Janell had checked the rain gauges online earlier and it did not look promising for a day of tubing. We fell back on Plan B. Get lost in the woods. Not literally.

Downhill

Going down the steeply rooted hill as we passed the twin iconic water tanks that were enveloped with scaffolding.

Blowdown

Making our way over the fallen trees blocking the trail. Time for some trail clearing. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Stream

Passing through a clump of elephant ears. Or was it taro plants?

Waterfall

Ferlino’s stay was brief due to the depth and temperature of the pool.

Downhill

We headed up and over to another water crossing.

Kaukonahua Stream

Janell crossing the longest stream in the island. Water levels were definitely low, good for crossing and not so good for tubing.

Uphill

They don’t call this place Wahiawa Hills for nothing. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Ewa Forest Reserve

Janell overlooking the expansive forest and watershed. Photo by Christine Galiza.

Trail

Pushing up another hill dotted with paperbark trees.

Magic mushrooms

The forest floor was littered with the usual leaves and occasional yellow capped mushrooms living on fallen tree branches.

4×4 road

We soon broke free of the tree line and walked on the rutted jeep road that lead to the hunting area. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Poamoho

Cisco contributing to the ongoing perforation of the hunting sign.

Poamoho

Janell treating Cisco for shooter’s elbow. Firing too many blanks. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Poamoho

Group photo left to right: Christine, Janell, Ferlino, myself, Cisco and Chris with his eco selfie stick.

Poamoho

Where there’s a tree, you will find an upside down Ferlino. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

4×4 road

I had wanted to refresh my trail memory going to Poamoho, so with that being satisfied, we turned around and headed back.

Stream

The group getting their feet wet crossing one of several small stream crossings. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Wahiawa Hills

Back on the loop trail.

Junction

Getting off the loop trail.

Watercolor

You should be in a painting by Photoshop.

Log trail

Walking on the fallen tree that was seen as suspect by some.

Trail

Sliding our way down amongst the giant ferns and loose rocks.

Underworld

We dropped down into the tunnel that had a giant tree wrapped around the front entrance. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Underworld

Sloshing and subjecting our extremities to the chill of cold water. It got waist deep as we headed deeper into the tunnel.

Underworld

Looking ahead to the light that existed at the end of the tunnel. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

Underworld

Group photo by Chris Bautista at the end where the full force of the water was muffled by the branches that had clogged the gates over time.

Underworld

Chris being diffused by the natural light from above.

Underworld

Thanks to Janell for showing us the “underworld.”

Trail

Scrambling our way back out of the gully.

Tipping point

Chris and Ferlino going out on a limb.

Downhill

Swimming our way through the green ocean of uluhe ferns.

Stream

Arriving at our launch or lunch spot, depending on the time of day.

Stream

Ferlino didn’t carry the inner tube all day for nothing. Time to huff and puff, but not for the hills this time.

Stream

We all tried riding the currents and being swirled around for our amusement. Found out that we needed bigger floaties. These little doughnuts would not have cut it, if we had gone tubing as originally planned. Lesson learned.

Stream

Panoramic photo by Janell Tuttle.

Stream

After our bottoms were somewhat dry, we launched our way out of the lunch spot.

Trail tree

One of many seemingly dead but still standing trees in the hills. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Uphill

Huffing and puffing this time for the hills.

Tree poser

This is not your high school graduation photo. Photo by Chris Bautista

Trail

Coming down our last hill where we intersected with the loop trail from this morning.

Uphill

Climbing our way back up the steeply rooted hill.

Open road

The firing ranges were silent today as Cisco guided us to our last hike of the day.

Downhill

Leaving the spent brass behind us as we made our way down the slippery slope.

Tower

Our first glimpse of the 90′ plus tower that was built back in the 1920s. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla

Valve Tower

Ferlino wishing he had his hammock for that perfect picture. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla

Tower

Somebody always has to be different in the crowd.

Tower

The metal rungs became progressively worse as it reached higher to the top.

Ku Tree Reservoir

Group photo without Janell, as she decided to stay topside.

Kalakoa Stream

The carbonation was flat, but the taste was somewhat briny and gritty.

Empty metal jacket

Reporting for duty. Call of duty or off duty? Photo by Cisco Quintanilla

Trail

I guess Uber is not picking us up on this road.

Trailer

Just some bondo and duct tape and we can haul it away.

Jungle

Low crawling through my flash backs or just trying to find that penny that I dropped. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Blackhawk down

I wish I could fly.

All pau

One’s childhood is only finished when one say it’s finished. Our adventure filled day covered over 11 miles through rolling hills, tunnels, and some neat finds. Post hike meal at Dong Yang Inn, where’s it more of an instituition than a meal. Photo by Cisco Quintanilla.

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.