Ka'au Crater

A hidden crater high up the Ko'olau

DATE: 22 June, 2010
TOTAL TIME: 4.5 hrs
DIFFICULTY: Medium
PARTICIPANTS: "Loafer" Mike, the other Mike, Me
REHIKE VALUE: 6

As far as views go, nothing thus far on the island compares to this hike. Period.  From the peak of Ka'au Crater, one has damn near a 360 degree view of Oahu. Diamondhead Crater, Waikiki, Kokohead Crater, Kailua, Kaneohe, Honolulu Airport, Dupont, and the Inland Empire.

Left to right: Me, "Loafer" Mike, The Other Mike

Three Peaks (Olomana) below us

The hike itself was a gem in variety. If you like waterfalls, you've got three. Granted, you have to climb them all to reach the base of Ka'au Crater, but the view of this little known crater itself is breathtaking. Climbing to the peak is slightly dangerous due to all the erosion, but nothing anyone sober with four fully-functional limbs couldn't handle. It is possible to climb down to the crater floor itself, but due to time constraints and the oncoming heavy rain, we opted to walk down the west rim and take a right at a junction for a more direct route to the trailhead, skipping a return trip to the waterfalls.

A waterfall greets us after a short walk through the woods

Standing over the second waterfall

The rain did make things interesting and fading daylight reminded me of the Moanalua waterfall incident a month back, but it all ended well. At the beginning of the trail, we had to walk along an ugly pipe which paralleled the trail all the way to the first waterfall. It was ugly, but after about 10 minutes of walking, I was kind of glad it was there sort of as a fourth hiker through the valley. That is until we all agreed it probably carried sewage.

A pipe accompanies us throughout the first portion of the hike

Climbing up the third waterfall

Taking it all in from the crater rim

Clear view of Diamondhead and Waikiki

Trail gateway

Stairway to Heaven - Middle Ridge 2

Search for Nirvana continues beyond the first platform

DATE: 20 June, 2010
TOTAL TIME: 6.5 hrs
DIFFICULTY: Medium
PARTICIPANTS: The other Mike, “Paparazzi” Giovanni, “Sigmund Freud” Jenn, "The Optimist" Jeremy, "Reef Shoes" Jason, "Loafer" Mike, Me
REHIKE VALUE: 8

I love this hike. This time around, the stairs didn't seem to take too long. My total stair time was around 60 minutes because Jeremy was on my ass which made me think everyone else was too. Unlike the last time, I was actually able to enjoy the view during ascent.  I was waayyy too freaked out to let go of the rails before.

(Standing) Left to right: The Other Mike, "Paparazzi" Giovanni, "Sigmund Freud" Jenn, "The Optimist" Jeremy, "Reef Shoes" Jason
(Sitting) Left to right: Me, "Loafer" Mike

Morning sun rises above Kaneohe Bay

We spent some time at the top inhaling second-hand pot. A group of people were up there since 0500 that morning toting it up big time. Atop the Ko'olau Summit Trail, the wind was blowing hard enough to add to the excitement of a possible fall down the steep sides.

I'm sorry man, but your girlfriend is HOT!

Stairs disappear into the clouds as we press on

The gang gave me a 10 minute head-start so I could lay some rope for the steep descent down the Middle Ridge. We didn't really need it because I remember there being no rope at all the first time I did this, but with the combination of strong winds, slick mud, and inexperienced hikers, I figured it would help. But damn! I forgot how far you had to descend! I used almost all of my rope halfway down. Fortunately, the HTMC (I'm assuming) had secured rope the rest of the way. I guess they ran out halfway up as I’m sure they were coming from the other direction. What a stroke of luck.

Carefully making our way down the middle ridge from the clouds

Jason's actually enjoying this hike this time around

Up Stairway, down Middle ridge was an extremely enjoyable experience this time around. A great adventure for anyone looking for a simple, yet rewarding hike. Strong winds + slick mud + steep descents + narrow ridges + possibility of a 2800ft plunge = family hike.

For more on this, refer back to my earlier hike (April 2010).

Down the steep ridge spine

Catching a breather, and their nerves

In Giovanni's words, "This is f###### living dude!"

Into the unknown (Picture courtesy of "Paparazzi" Giovanni)

Manamana

Green Kahana Valley

DATE: 19 June, 2010
TOTAL TIME: 4.5 hrs
DIFFICULTY: Medium-Hard
PARTICIPANTS: "Reef Shoes" Jason, "Loafer" Mike, "The Optimist" Jeremy, "Hangover" Lynnale, "Rambo" Jeremy, and Me
REHIKE VALUE: 7

Manamana did not live up to its name as the 'most dangerous' trail on Oahu. This trail doesn’t actually touch Pu’u Manamana, but winds around the vicinity. Sure, there were dangerous sections, but what ridge walk doesn't? Besides, there weren't that many. Probably more dangerous being an illegal immigrant running across the freeway in San Diego.

Left to right: "Reef Shoes" Jason, "Loafer" Mike, "The Optimist" Jeremy, Me, "Hangover" Lynnale, "Rambo" Jeremy

Climbing comes at you quickly and furiously

While the trail disappointed, the ridge drop-offs did not. Yes people, the drop-offs are freaking 'legendary' due to its 1200 ft vertical nature. At least the two foot wide ridges added some excitement. Not scary. Just beautiful. I was having a blast running along the ridgelines. Well, Jason crawled, but at least he completed it. Good job for someone with major vertigo problems.

Over the coming years, this 'safer bypass' will eventually erode, forcing hikers to climb directly over the rock

You fall, you die. No ifs, ands, or buts

Most of the trail turns into a retarded walk through thick vegetation and didn't clear up till you're almost down to the bottom. I will not hike the entire loop again. Hiking up to the top before the vegetation and back down with the Crouching Lion along the way is the alternate hike which deserves the high marks. We debated among ourselves about whether or not that rock formation actually looked like a crouching lion. I thought so. We agreed to disagree.

The vegetation only gets horrible from here

The Crouching Lion. Personally, I see it

I later found out that the actual Pu’u Manamana is the most dangerous trail on Oahu. It is said that there are five routes to climb it, but since no one has reportedly done it, I’m not exactly sure where this information came from. Sounds like a worthy challenge, but I’ll shelve that idea for now.

Carefully making way on the trail overlooking Swanzy Beach

Excitement increases as the ridge becomes more steep and narrow

Chill-laxing on a rock overlooking Swanzy beach

Cool waters of Kahana Bay

Pu'u Piei

If you love scrambling, here you go

DATE: 16 June, 2010
TOTAL TIME: 3.5 hrs
DIFFICULTY: Medium-Hard
PARTICIPANTS: "Sunburn" Samantha and Me
REHIKE VALUE: 0

According to Stuart Ball's "Hikers Guide to Oahu," this hike was rated medium. I call total bullshit. Either that or I went the wrong way. I ended up freaking rock climbing up to the top of the ridge. To be fair, the trail tape did run out at the rock face. I guess I should have looked around more but I swear that there was nothing remotely resembling a trail, or even enough ground for me to blaze a trail. Sections of rock were crumbling and some ledges were giving way. Oh and by the way, the cables Stuart Ball said were there weren't. So, I made it to the top, but I wasn't too happy.

"Sunburn" Samantha and me

Where do I go from here???

This hike actually would be more inviting but the steep climb just to get to the rock face is so exhausting that you lose all motivation to return here again. I was also interested in seeing some fishing shrine that was supposed to be there, but wasn’t. In fact, the tour brochure said it was there along with the hikers guide. Yeah, right. During my search for this mythical monument, I trudged through some BS while walking up a dry streambed. I felt a little strange as it was actually kind of spooky. I decided to call it quits after about 30 minutes because my imagination was churning with weird scenarios of running into little goblins and mean trolls.

Taking a breather on my climb up

Trail tape leading me to absolutely nowhere

Unless I missed the trail, I wouldn't recommend this hike unless you’re extremely motivated, with climbing equipment. Or unless you’re a frequent customer at Helga’s House of Pain. To be fair, the view of Kahana bay is phenomenal, especially on a clear sunny day. It's okay to do once, but Manamana across the bay awaits...

Enjoying the view of Kahana Bay as we make our way up

Figuring out the best way to do this

Kahana Valley and true Manamana

On the ridge, you can see all the way to La'ie Point

One more look at Kahana Bay before I make my way down

Pu'u Pia

Sweet serinity

DATE: 15 June, 2010
TOTAL TIME: 1.5 hrs
DIFFICULTY: Easy
PARTICIPANTS: "Sunburn" Samantha and Me
REHIKE VALUE: 0

Well, not much to talk about here. Simple hike and somewhat good view at the top. Probably be better suited for a run, or a hike with a picnic up top. You could very well get better views from just about anywhere else.

"Sunburn" Samantha and me

Gorgeous walk up the gradual incline

Nearing the peak

This one was short, but extremely annoying because of the millions of the tree roots I hate so much and thousands of well-placed rocks. Plus, I was tired and cranky. At the midway point, there is a trail that serves as a shortcut to Mt. Olympus. I recommend not using it because a shortcut on a map is in reality a really really steep climb that would take longer to hike than the usual route.

Apparently, there are bugs on this trail ... or so Samantha says. I was fine. It must be the whole city girl thing. That's funny because I'm from Los Angeles...

Eye candy from the peak

Looking back at the Mt Olympus ridgeline in the background

Trees around the world dumped their damned surplus of roots here

Bugs versus Samantha; Bugs, 461 - Samantha, 0