Wiliwilinui to Kuliouou

by kenji SAITO on September 12, 2022

I picked up where we left off almost a month ago to burn up my last vacation day, on a solo short traverse along the KST. Heavy rain showers greeted me at the trailhead which gave me pause, but the spigot soon shut off. Did I bring my rain jacket?

Wiliwilinui Trail

Wiliwilinui Trail

Started off on the service road that was built by the US Army that eventually turned into a hiking trail that eventually lead me to the start of the step sections. Miss that swing that used to hang by the nearby tree.

Wiliwilinui Trail

Wiliwilinui Trail

Looking ahead to the communication tower framed by the power line poles.

Wiliwilinui Trail

Wiliwilinui Trail

Turning around to catch a glimpse of the lush ridges and verdant valleys of East Oahu.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Wiliwilinui Summit

Fleeting views at the 2,480′ summit.

True Lanipo Summit

True Lanipo Summit

Will the real summit of Lanipo please stand up?

Hawaii Loa Summit

Hawaii Loa Summit

Sweeping views of Olomana and Waimanalo and all points in between at the 2,520′ knob.

Pu'u O Kona Summit

Pu’u O Kona Summit

Panoramic view of the Windward coastline from what I will always call the summit, despite it being otherwise.

KSRT

KSRT

One of the more photographed sections of the KST. And here I am without a tent or willing subject.

Kuli'ou'ou Summit

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

My last summit view at the 2,028′ eroded hill.

Kuli'ou'ou Trail

Kuli’ou’ou Trail

Going down one of the more popular hikes on the island. Luckily, it was a weekday so it was not teeming with the weekend crowds.

All pau

All pau

Coming down the numerous switchbacks that are fenced and marked off for conservation purposes.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

My almost seven mile hike was four hours and change well spent in the mountains. Thanks to Lilyn and Quan for picking me up on a delayed schedule.

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.

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