Wailupe Loop Trail

by kenji SAITO on January 4, 2015

Unable to find any hiking buddies today, I settled on an easy hike to do by myself.

Trailhead

Trailhead

I parked at the end of Hao Street in Aina Haina and found a dust fence bordering the trailhead. Read that developer Jeff Stone bought a chunk of land in this area, hope access is not shut off.

Wailupe Valley

Wailupe Valley

The hike started under canopy cover and oddly no mosquitoes. Not complaining.

Root trail

Root trail

The trail alternated between mud, rocks and tree roots. All good to have underneath your feet.

Junction

Junction

I soon came across this junction that would drop me further down into the valley. There are many side trails that can lead one astray. Thanks to Troy Solano for providing me the GPS tracks.

Follow the pink bottle caps

Follow the pink bottle caps

The trail down was punctuated by pink bottle caps and ribbons.

Stream crossing

Stream crossing

Crossed the stream about three times, with varying degrees of depth. Inches to be exact.

Uphill

Uphill

I soon began the slog up the middle ridge that was populated by canopy cover and a semi-dense blanket of uluhe ferns.

Wailupe Middle Ridge

Wailupe Middle Ridge

Walking along the exposed and relatively flat section of the ridge, trade winds would have been nice. I had the ridge all to myself, not another soul in sight.

Straight up

Straight up

The canopy cover returned along with a somewhat steep climb.

Tree fungi

Tree fungi

Doesn’t look too appetizing. No stir fry dinner for me tonight.

Final push

Final push

I can see the summit! Actually it’s behind a false peak.

Red Lehua Flowers

Red Lehua Flowers

No picking of the flowers. Don’t want any rain on my parade today.

Panoramic view

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Wailupe summit

Wailupe summit

I was expecting high winds at the 2,403′ summit. Only a slight breeze greeted my arrival. That’s what I get for believing in the weather forecast. Gullible as charged.

Panoramic view

Panoramic view

Click here for the larger image.

Headed north

Headed north

After chugging down some cold Gatorade and munching on peanut butter filled pretzels, I turned North on the Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail.

On the KSRT

On the KSRT

The trail was quite muddy from the storm that lashed the islands this past Friday. Slipped on my butt a couple times, as the trail rollercoasters up and down.

Wiliwilinui summit

Wiliwilinui summit

The cross over was the shortest one I have done, took less than half an hour to make it from Wailupe to Wiliwilinui summits.

Photobomber!

Photobomber!

Met another hiker at the summit.

Headed down

Headed down

Making my way down past the relay station tower.

Stepped trail

Stepped trail

Going down the State trail, I passed quite a few hikers making their way up to the summit.

Powerlines

Powerlines

Walking on the flat part of the ridge. The power lines follow the ridge for the most part.

Swinger

Swinger

I need a push!

Tree lined trail

Tree lined trail

Looked like the hand of man was involved on this trail section, rather than Mother Nature.

Junction

Junction

A pink bottle cap marked the way down into Wailupe Valley.

Down into the valley

Down into the valley

Going down was somewhat steep at times, but the ample presence of trees came in use as handy brakes.

Pollinator

Pollinator

More bees at work.

Follow the pink ribbons

Follow the pink ribbons

The trail down was marked at regular intervals with pink bottle caps or ribbons. Once the trail dumps you back down into the valley floor, the ribbons become somewhat scarce and the side trails seemed to proliferate. The GPS tracks came in handy.

All pau

All pau

Making my way back to the car.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

The loop hike involved two ridges and a brief cross over that covered 5.63 miles. Post hike meal at McDonald’s. Miss the super size option and the company.

Leave a Comment

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

Troy January 25, 2015 at 7:34 am

Good you took the correct junction, we missed the junction and went deep into the valley before realizing we missed the middle ridge. Also since you know almost all the valley junctions maybe you can do the East Honolulu Roller coaster hike one day.

Reply

kenji SAITO January 25, 2015 at 5:22 pm

Aloha Troy,
Thanks again for the tracks, helped out a lot. East Honolulu Roller Coaster Hike? Sounds like fun. Have you done it before? Where does it start and end?
Mahalo!

Reply

Anites April 28, 2016 at 9:37 pm

Hi Kenji. Can you pls email me the GPS for this hike? Many thanks .

Reply

kenji SAITO April 29, 2016 at 1:30 pm

Hi Ani,
Okay I will send it when I have resolved my computer issues.
Mahalo

Reply

Anites April 29, 2016 at 8:00 pm

Ok thanks Kenji :)

Reply

Paige November 22, 2017 at 11:52 pm

Could you send me the GPS for the hike?

Reply

Krysta Waters December 26, 2017 at 6:25 pm

Hello! Would you mind sending me the GPS tracks? I would love to do this hike next week!

Reply

Matt August 20, 2018 at 8:54 am

Great write up and love your photos of the trail. We’d love your review of it here too: https://lookintohawaii.com/hawaii/47171/wailupe-loop-trail-activities-oahu-honolulu-hi

Reply

kenji SAITO August 21, 2018 at 7:50 pm

Aloha Matt,
Thanks, but I can barely keep up with my own blog. Feel free to add a link If you want.
Mahalo

Reply

Jack G October 11, 2018 at 8:23 pm

I would love to print some of your photos to put on my wall. Or, do you sell them? Please let me know.

Reply

kenji SAITO October 11, 2018 at 10:56 pm

Aloha Jack,
Thanks, but I don’t sell any of my photos as they are not print worthy. Haha. If you want to print them, feel free to do so.
Mahalo

Reply

Krysta Waters October 12, 2018 at 7:36 am

Hello Kenji! I hike with OHA and live here on Oahu. Was wondering if I could get the GPS for Wailupe? Would love to do this loop!

Reply

kenji SAITO October 12, 2018 at 9:52 am

Aloha Krysta,
Let me look for it and will send it to you later.
Mahalo

Reply

Krysta Waters October 12, 2018 at 1:31 pm

Thank you so much!

Reply

Chelsea May 2, 2020 at 6:18 pm

Hi! I was wondering if I could get the GPS coordinates you’re referring to? Thanks for all the photos!

Reply

kenji SAITO May 2, 2020 at 7:01 pm

Aloha Chelsea,
If I can find it, I’ll send it your way, as it was five years ago!
Mahalo

Reply

walter j. rodby January 4, 2021 at 5:17 pm

Man creates trails, and then if allowed, Mother Nature repairs…

Reply

kenji SAITO January 6, 2021 at 5:40 am

True, everything eventually returns to the fold of Mother Nature.

Reply

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