We all met up at the Kualoa Beach Park to start our perimeter walk this morning.

Kualoa Beach Park

A certain furry four legged hiker joined the group of Aida, Akira, Alexis, Chico, Cristy, Mari, Tessa and myself on the sprawling 153 acres.

Kualoa Beach Park

Big shadows and small shadow.

Kualoa Beach Park

Going over the wall. Legally.

Kualoa Beach Park

Walking on the beach with the islet of Mokoli’i in the background. The island used to be part of Kualoa Ranch as it was purchased in 1850 from King Kamehameha III for $1,300.00 ($53,996.00 today). It was purchased by the City in the 1970s.

Kualoa Beach Park

Stumping for Groot. Represent.

Secret Island

Arriving at the NOT secret and NOT island. It’s just a beach with certain amenities that you can only use if you’re part of a tour package.

Secret Island

Group photo at one of the docks with Kualoa Mountain in the background.

Secret Island

Walking over to the next dock.

Secret Island

Disappointed the sign doesn’t say “Secret Island.” Marketing 101.

Secret Island

Brah, you get license to drive boat? Nevamine!

Secret Island

Survey says … WOOF!

Kualoa Beach Park

On our return trip back, we were approached by these two braddahs who asked who owns the Black Honda? One guess and one guess only. Thanks to Charlie and Elijah for their aloha!

Kualoa Beach Park

Talking story with Elijah, turns out his dream is to hike from Pupukea to Waiahole.

Kualoa Beach Park

Seeing is believing. I have been saying for years that chickens live and sleep in trees. Nobody believed me until today.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot piggybacking on Chico.

Kamehameha Highway

Some of us wanted free coffee, so we had to recall Alexis who had zoned in on her music and was far ahead of the group.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Group photo with the obliging statues.

The Macadamia Nut Outlet

Sampling the free coffee and macadamia nuts.

Kamehameha Highway

Back on the road. And he’s got a dog too. Double threat.

Coral Kingdom

Stopping at the tourist trap, I mean spot on the way. The huli-huli chicken sure smelled good.

Coral Kingdom

You need smoke in order to follow it.

Coral Kingdom

Browsing and puffing and drinking.

Kamehameha Highway

It sure is hot today.

Waikane

We turned off the highway to do a short and easy hike. Those words will come back to haunt me. Saw a hapai (pregnant) pig with her own guard dog. Nobody is messing with this pua’a (pig).

Waikane

The group going up the trail. Somebody was saying we don’t have hiking shoes, only walking shoes. Hiking is a form of walking.

Waikane

Chico helping Mari across a slippery section. Who said this hike is easy?

Waikane

Moli’i Fishpond in the background, which is one of only four original Hawaiian fishponds on the island.

Waikane

Scrambling up the Southeast Ridge of Pu’u Ohulehule, most hikers know it as Pride Rock as an obvious reference to the Disney movie, “The Lion King.”

Waikane

Aida on her approach to the top, walking shoes and all.

Waikane

The “classic” Pride Rock photograph.

Waikane

The “new” Tree Monkey photograph.

Waikane

The group relaxing and being chilled by the refreshing trade winds.

Waikane

Overlooking Kualoa Ranch and its domain.

Waikane

Can you spot Akira below the rock shelf?

Waikane

Time to head back down.

Waikane

Where’s my hiking stick?

Waikane

Two ropes are better than one.

Waikane

Where’s that second rope when you need it?

Waikane

Group photo with the Hawaiian flag that was adopted in 1845 and now represents the 50th state in the Union.

Waikane

Sliding our way down to the exit.

Kamehameha Highway

Sign me up.

Kamehameha Highway

Groot channeling his inner Musk.

Kamehameha Highway

The girls checking out the roadside refreshment stand. Tourist prices.

Kamehameha Highway

Fail. Go back to rapelling.

Kamehameha Highway

$10 Coconut. Cristy was thirsty.

Kamehameha Highway

Everybody needs shade from the hot sun. Where is that portable AC?

Kamehameha Highway

There’s gold in them thar tilipia filled waters.

Kamehameha Highway

Chico went to get shave ice. The rest of us went to get lunch. Hangry.

Waiahole Poi Factory

Lunch at the establishment that started as a poi factory in 1905 and then became the current restaurant in 2009.

All pau

Taking the air-conditioned bus back to our cars at Kualoa Ranch.

GPS Tracks

Our #13 perimeter walk covered 7.5 miles that also included two short hike detours that everybody did even with walking shoes. Awesome day with fun friends.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Akira Suzuki, Alexis Catarina, Chico Cantu, Cristy CM, Mari Saito, Tessa Bugay 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.

Started at the crack of dawn with Chris, Lee, Mia and Yoly to hike a loop that I have been wanting to do for quite some time in Kahana Valley.

Trailhead

We all piled into Chris’s van to drive to the dead end road and kept a low profile to avoid disturbing the neighbors.

Waikane Valley

The trail was surprisingly obvious, a marked departure from my last visit.

Waikane Valley

Approaching a homeless shelter?

Pride Rock

Bucket loads of hikers and tourists make the short hike up to this rock, to gaze upon … Photo by Chris Bautista.

Pride Rock

… the stunning scenery of lush valleys, topped by rugged peaks and shimmering glassy waters.

Pride Rock

Group photo left to right: Chris, Lee, myself, Mia and Yoly.

Southeast Ridge

Proceeding past the tourist scenic spot. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Southeast Ridge

Approaching our second dike of the day.

Southeast Ridge

Hello there! Photo by Chris Bautista.

Southeast Ridge

Climbing up the dike that keeps the encroaching overgrowth at bay.

Southeast Ridge

Dangling legs above the treetops. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Southeast Ridge

Lee coming down the dike. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Southeast Ridge

Looking out towards the three peaks of Ohulehule, Manamana and Kanehoalani.

Southeast Ridge

The exposed rock ridge served as a firebreak lane through the suffocating overgrowth.

Southeast Ridge

Churning the moss covered landscape.

Southeast Ridge

To climb or to contour the looming dike?

Southeast Ridge

How do I climb up this thing? Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Southeast Ridge

Hiker see, hiker do.

Southeast Ridge

Mia, Lee and Yoly; three monkeys on the dike. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Southeast Ridge

We contoured to the left of the dike as the pitch of the ridge became more pronounced.

Southeast Ridge

Capturing the views now in case we lost them at the top.

Southeast Ridge

Yoly following the rope through the thick overgrowth.

Southeast Ridge

Climbing on the more exposed Windward side of the ridge.

Southeast Ridge

We had to climb over, under and through the thicket of trees that populated the ridge.

Southeast Ridge

At last, free of the overgrowth!

Southeast Ridge

Spoke too soon.

Southeast Ridge

Using trees, roots, vegetation and the occasional rope to climb up.

Southeast Ridge

Barreling and brushing past through the overgrowth.

Southeast Ridge

Pushing up the last major climb to the summit.

Pu’u Ohulehule

When you’re hungry, two twigs will double as chopsticks.

Pu’u Ohulehule

Group photo at the 2,228′ summit.

Pu’u Ohulehule

Sweeping views from the top.

Northwest Ridge

Once the multiple photo shoots were done, we took our leave of the summit.

Northwest Ridge

Looking ahead to the saddle that will connect us to our final summit destination.

Northwest Ridge

Climbing down the steep descent.

Junction

Taking the trail less trampled as we detoured off the ridge.

Saddle

The overgrowth on the Southeast was tame compared to this section. It was uluhell quicksand.

Saddle

Exhausted and spent on the trail. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Saddle

Treading carefully on the insane and unchecked overgrowth that masked the many false drops on the ridge.

Saddle

This ridge was sorely in need of a trail clearing.

Saddle

Threading our way through the brittle and decaying ohia trees.

Pu’u Koile

Looking back at Pu’u Ohulehule from the 1,613′ summit. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Saddle

Chris looking out to Pu’u O Kila. Photo by Lee Shreve.

Saddle

The saddle has become demonstrably more eroded from our last visit. Dirt and rocks became dislodged with each step that we took on certain sections. It was like playing Jenga on the mountains.

Saddle

Yoly making her way down the crumbling and shifting pile of dirt and rocks. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Saddle

Looking out towards the peaks of Piei and Manamana overlooking Kahana Valley. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Saddle

The sound of music was singing in the mountains. The earth was moving below us, and it wasn’t from that kind of satisfaction. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Pu’u O Kila

We scribbled today’s date and our names on the log in the jar and plopped down for a well deserved rest. Photo by Lee Shreve.

Pu’u O Kila

Group photo at the tree trimmed 1,520′ summit.

Kahana Valley

Dropping down from the studio sized summit.

Kahana Valley

Enjoying the views of Pu’u Manamana and True Manamana on our way down.

Kahana Valley

Following the river of uluhell downstream.

Kahana Valley

Double Rainbow.

Kahana Valley

The group walking out the valley.

Kahana Valley

This is not the trail exit. Photo by Mia Garrison.

Kahana Valley

That’s the dam exit.

Kahana Valley

One of many trails that crisscrosses the wettest valley on Earth. Photo by Lee Shreve.

Kahana Valley

Damming the water for our group photo. Playing in the shallow end.

All pau

Group photo at the end of our bone crushing, exhausting but soul lifting hike.

GPS Tracks

Our hardscrabble hike registered only six miles of punishing overgrowth and crumbly ridges. Is the GPS tracking working? Really, that’s all? Great hike with a fun crew. Texting instructions for Pizza Hut. Post hike meal at Zippy’s. This is becoming a habit. Local habit.

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.

Marvin invited Jose, Thessa and myself to tackle a large chunk of the Northern KST (Koolau Summit Trail) stretching from Waikane Valley to Papali Trail, a grinder of a hike at over 16 miles. Who wouldn’t jump at such an opportunity?

Any loose dogs?

The group picked me up at Hau’ula Beach and we then parked on Kamehameha Highway nearby Waikane Valley Road. The report of large, loose dogs on the road was slightly exaggerated. They were large barking dogs, but all restrained by fences and chains. Rabies shot? Check.

Follow the fence

The fence into the valley was decorated with large weathered signs that stated high explosives impact area. On the other side of the fence, I hope.

Headed into Waikane Valley

As we headed deeper into the valley, rain showers paid us a visit. Not a surprise since we were on the Windward side.

Waikane stream

The only active stream crossing of the hike. Last time I was going to get my shoes wet. Fat chance.

Scenic lookout

The rain had just left us to be replaced by some sorely needed sunshine. Group picture looking into Waikane Valley left to right: Thessa, myself, Marvin and Jose.

Rugged beauty

Checking out Pu’u Manamana, True Manamana and Pu’u Ohulehule in the valley below us.

Trail snacks

Thimbleberry plants lined the trail, most of them red and ripe, ready for picking and eating.

Manana junction

We arrived at the Waikane terminus to begin our hike on the KST (Koolau Summit Trail). Behind us was the Manana junction. Another grinder hike for another longer day.

Lobelia sighting

Further up the trail was the rare Lobelia gaudichaudii, endemic only to this island.

The trail ahead

Hiking on the Northern KST seems worlds apart from the Southern KST. Maybe it’s just me.

The trail behind

Looking back at how much or how little ground we already covered. It’s all relative.

Scenic lookout #2

Breathtaking views of Pu’u Piei, Pu’u Manamana, Pu’u Ohulehule and the Kualoa mountains in Kahana Valley. The Windward winds were whipping today in full force.

Schofield junction

Looking back at the Schofield junction. Hmm, maybe not another hike for another day.

Looking ahead

The Northern KST trail is for the most part a contour path that was cut into the side of the mountains.

Looking back

Digging into the history bin, it seems that a crew from the Kahuku Plantation Company started the trail in 1906 and the work was continued by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1934. That must have been some backbreaking work. Thank you!

Small landslide

Jose and Thessa make their way over a small landslide area of the trail.

Big landslide

A much larger landslide took out this section of the KST trail.

Pauao Trail

The Pauao Ridge Trail goes down into Kahana Valley. There used to be a troll doll attached to the top of the sign until somebody decided to take it home. Maybe I should’ve replaced it with my Kikaida doll?

Contour trail

Hiking on the contour trail while enjoying the valley views made the distance more tolerable.

Lobelia sighting #2

We encountered another Koolau range lobelia on the edge of the trail.

The notch

Marvin told us a historical anecdote regarding the trail, the crew had to use a huge amount of TNT to blast a hole through and the sides of the mountain to build the KST.

Horse trail?

The trail had to be wide enough to accommodate pack mules that were used to transport supplies up the mountains back in the old days. Erosion and time has taken their toll, but the path still remains quite wide.

Reservations for two?

We soon arrived at Poamoho cabin. This would be the final stop for Jose and Thessa who had decided to overnight at the cabin. They would go down Pauao trail the next day.

We have four open bunks

The cabin provided a nice dry spot to take a load off our feet for awhile. Marvin re-filled his water from the cabin’s supply. One still needs to bring water purification tablets as the water is captured from the constant rain this area gets but is not filtered.

Please sign the log

Everybody signed the famous Poamoho Cabin Log Book. If one is staying overnight, it makes for an interesting read, as there are pictures, comments and even short stories people have penned.

Check out the marsh/pond?

As we all made our way to the summit, Jose and Thessa said they were going to bushwhack their way down to the marshy pond area below the cabin, when they returned from seeing us off.

Cline memorial

The wind was whipping so hard that I could barely hold my GoPro steady! The winds are fierce at Poamoho summit.

Poamoho summit

I finally had to use both hands to keep it steady. What a view!

Hikers in the wind

We tried jumping off, but the wind held us back. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Farewell

Looking back at Jose and Thessa waving at us from Poamoho summit.

Wind velocity?

I guess this beats slopping saliva on your finger and sticking it in the wind.

The fence

After climbing up a small hill, we soon encountered a familiar feature on the Northern KST. Miles and miles of fence line.

Follow the fence

We kept to the Windward side as we hugged the fence line up and down the broad rolling hills.

Boot size?

We soon crossed over the KST junction. Thank goodness for these signs. One can easily get lost up here.

Meadow

Leaving the blighted fence line behind …

The fence again!

… or maybe not.

Papali trail

The muddiest part of the KST. Shoes down!

Last sign on the KST

We took leave of the fence line for good as we turned right at this junction.

Sunbeams

Looking to our left, sunbeams poking out of the heavy cloud banks over central Oahu.

Leaving the KST

Leaving the KST as the clouds rolled in and the sun started to leave our company.

Castle junction

Taking a break at the Castle junction that was to our right. We would be continuing on our left down the Papali Uka trail.

What time is it?

The trail was all downhill, with some small hills to climb. In the dark. Shortly after this picture was taken, combined with exhaustion and my Black Diamond headlamp dimming after only several hours (note to self: complain to the company), I took a false step and fell off the ridge. Cussing the whole time while tumbling down in the dark off a 2,000’+ ridge, vines arrested my fall about 40′ later. Upside down. I’ll take 40′ over 2,000′ any day. Marvin called out to me and asked if he should call rescue. After taking stock of everything and not feeling anything bleeding or broken, I yelled that rescue was not needed and if he had rope with him. No was the reply. Great was my reply. Hanging off the side of a severely eroded ridge with only vines and scrawny trees to grab on, I still managed to recover my headlamp and GoPro that had fallen out of my backpack. Must be my lucky day! With my GoPro clutched in one hand, I resumed my cussing and started making my way up to the ridgeline. When I finally reached the ridgeline, I was gassed out. Marvin helped pull me up and we resumed our hike down the trail. What else could go wrong? My headlamp soon died. Now I had no light and my right ankle was swollen from the fall. We moved at a snails pace going down the rest of the ridge with Marvin intermittently looking back with his light so I would not take another false step. We finally staggered into Hauula at 4am to find my car still where I left it. Best news of the day or night!

GPS Tracks

The grinder totaled 16.96 miles and at 22 hours (not planned due to my fall) was my longest hike to date. An experience that I have no wish to repeat, especially the falling part.