Saturday, April 30, 2005
Kalalau Trail, Kauai
This is a world-famous trail on the north shore of Kauai which is the only trail to enter the famed Na Pali coast. We sampled this trail, only hiking the 2 miles in to Hanakapiai Beach. The trail travels for another 10 miles up the coast and there's also a side-trail to Hanakapiai Falls. The trail climbs from Kee Beach up along a side ridge with beautiful views back to Kee Beach and forward to the Na Pali coast. The trail then descends to the beach, passing a sign warning visitors not to swim at the beach! Beach is a relative term, as the winter storms had washed away all the sand, leaving a large-boulder field beach. We enjoyed some time sitting on large boulders and then headed back. It was fun to people-watch the cross-section of humanity hiking out this trail, in all sorts of footwear (from bare feet to flip flops to platform shoes to tennis shoes to hiking boots). Being a good Seattle-ite, this is where I should put in my condescending remark about how the people without hiking boots are all idiots (and probably don't have the TEN ESSENTIALS!!!), but I won't. All in all, this was a nice hike, but I enjoyed the Nualolo trail much more, as well as the Maha'ulepu Beach trail.
Distance: 4 miles
Vertical Gain: 1000 feet
Weather: Sunny, warm
Dog Rating: Stuck at kennel.
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Thursday, April 28, 2005
Nu'a'lolo Trail
One of my top ten hikes of all time! The views from the two lookouts were jaw-dropping beautiful. We parked at the Kokee State Park headquarters and set off down the Nualolo trail through a nice forest with some pretty flowers every once in a while. The trail steadily dropped and eventually views became more and more spectacular of the valleys of the Na Pali coast. The trail was a bit slippery with damp red clay and some sections felt more like bobsled runs than trail. We finally reached the Lolo Vista Point overlook (the last bit of trail was quite exposed) and enjoyed the view without getting too close to the edge of the 2000' cliffs! We then headed back to the junction with the Nualolo Cliff trail, which had dire warning signs that we were going to fall to our deaths because a section of trail had washed out (see picture below). Sara had no problem with the washed out section (there was a tread across it, but it was just narrow). I tried not to look down to my left and my impending death, but also hugged the cliff a bit too much, bumping into it every few steps. We celebrated our failure to die with a lunch in a nice grassy area with a view into the valley (and saw a nice goat). Eventually the Nualolo Cliff trail reaches the Awaawapuhi trail, which also heads down to an overlook with what I think are even more beautiful views! A picture of us at this overlook became part of our Christmas card. We spent a nice half-hour at the overlook soaking in the sunshine and the views. Have I mentioned that there were beautiful views? The pictures don't do it justice! After we left this viewpoint we had to pay for the beautiful views by climbing up, up, up back to the road. The trail began to seem interminable, and once we reached the road we still had to hike along the road for a good 1.5 miles. But those views were worth it!
Distance: 10.75 miles
Vertical Gain: 2980 feet, all at the end of the hike!
Weather: Partly cloudy, warm
Dog Rating: No way in he** I'd ever take Bella on this trail. Wild goats and exposed trail = Dog and owner falling thousands of feet to death!
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Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Mahaulepu Beach Hike Hawaii
This was our first hike on Kauai and it exceeded my expectations. It starts at a hotel near Poipu beach and heads east along cliffs just above the ocean, skirting a golf course. We didn't travel the full length of this trail, which apparently ends at some nice relatively remote sand beaches. It was nice to be away from roads and beach crowds to hear and watch the surf. We got a little bit lost on the way back, but it all ended well. A nice 2 or 3 hour diversion to get the legs stretched out!
Distance: 4 miles?
Vertical Gain: 20 feet?
Weather: Mostly sunny, delightful
Dog rating: Stuck at kennel
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