Friday, October 16, 2009

Ka'au Crater 2009/10/10

Trail: Ka'au Crater
Location: Kaimuki
Level: Higher Intermediate
View: Ko'olau Summit, Crater
Bring: Gloves are helpful
Time: 9AM-3:30PM(12:45PM at the summit)

This is unusual hike to climbing right next to the water fall. 3 waterfalls are very beautiful and water seems flowing most of the time of the year.

To the first waterfall, you follow the water pipe. No climbing and pretty much just walk in the bush. The trail are very narrow and slippery, as this area is very wet. You may slip your foot and fall off the trail sometimes.




Heavy vegetation.. Long pants may protect your leg from scratch. Well, my rim of the pants are muddy instead.


Ginger flower. I looove the smell...



Walking into Palolo valley.



First and biggest (in this trail) waterfall


really soothing..



After this waterfall, the trail turns into rock climbing.
There is ropes all over. The hike is good for rock climbing people!?



To the second waterfall, it's not much.
2 or 3 climbing with ropes and you're there!



people takes shots from top of 2nd waterfall



ok,,, let's start climbing up again



Check out the butt in front!



Cross over to the other side



There is not really the 3rd waterfall.
It's cascading water fall for a while.



After the water cascading,
you go over beyond the water starting point.




look over the valley you come through


To the summit...


You'll start seeing the crater.
It's surreal feeling to see crater on top of the mountain.
Feels you can build the small town inside crater like Machu Pichu..



So this is the end of this trail=top of the summit/rim.





I can see the diamond head and waikiki



The other side of the island



We took the same road to go back.
It seems there is another road you don't have to
go back waterfall, but no one in our group knew.

At the first waterfall, we jumped in the water.



feels good..



Came back!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Kapa 'Ele 'Ele Trail (Pu'u Piei) 2009/9/27

Trail: Kapa 'Ele 'Ele Trail (Pu'u Piei)
Location: Kahana Valley State Park
Level: Intermediate
Elevation: 1700ft
View: Overlooking Kahana Bay and Valley in the end

Bring: Gloves are helpful
Time: 9AM-2PM




Arrive at Orientation center in Kahana valley state park.

 

Near center, there is the entrance to the trail.


  


 


Beginning of the trail...






Had bite of Guava... Lots of seeds.
Natural sweetness.





Kind of you can see the ridge you're going.



The trail is becoming steeper and narrower.



There are several location where
you have to rock climbing with ropes.
The climbing is almost vertical.



Just keep going up and up!
Watch out your steps.
The trail seems dry, I appreciate it was not slippery!



More climbing...





Almost to the top ridge.



Ohia Lehua flower.



You see the top in the photo.
we stopped right here.
From the top, there is tall bush so
there is no view, according to the "Island Trails" blog.
(http://kaleolancaster.blogspot.com/2008/05/puu-piei-may-10-2008.html)



Kahana Bay view



Lai'e side view



Valley view

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Kaena Point (From South side) 2009/8/29


Trail: Kaena Point (From
South side)
Location: Kaena Point State Park
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
View: Hike along the coast, scenic ocean view all the way. In the end is natural reserve area.
Bring: Lots of water, Hut, Sunscreen (There is no shade on the trail)

There are 2 ways to get Kaena Point,
the most west point of the island.
You can get the point either from north, or south.

This time, we hiked from south side,
starting from Kaena Beach State Park.

To get to the Park from town, you drive on H1
towards west, Makaha. After you pass Makaha,
you simply keep driving to the west.
The park is located in the very end of Farrington Highway.

After you go through the gate of the park
you drive further to get the starting point of the trail.

Looking over Kaena Beach State Park.



The starting point of the trail...
We parked here. I recommend not to leave any
precious stuff inside the car, or even any bags
which robbery may think something inside the bag!



Trail is something like this all the way...







Who drove up to here??

Add Image
Getting in the preserve area for monk seals and albatros.



There is ropes to keep people out of the area.



Birds' nest...



It was rocky road, but the end is very green.



The light house indicates it's the point!





Local guys are fishing...



Swimming in the pool... nice