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.
Comments:
<< Home
My husband & I just returned from Kauai and took this hike, too. Great pictures! But seeing them makes me wonder why we ever left that beautiful place! Next time you're on the trail, take the 2 mile hike up to the waterfall...it's amazing! P.S. I did all 8 miles in my Chaco sandals and didn't have any problems. :)
# posted by 
: 12:08 PM
: 12:08 PM
Dave,
It's too bad you didn't hike the whole trail. Getting to Hanakapiai is just a taste of what the Kalalau Trail hike has to offer. The best part is definitely Kalalau Valley and Beach - spectacular! But I guess winter probably isn't the best time to hike this trail.
Post a Comment
It's too bad you didn't hike the whole trail. Getting to Hanakapiai is just a taste of what the Kalalau Trail hike has to offer. The best part is definitely Kalalau Valley and Beach - spectacular! But I guess winter probably isn't the best time to hike this trail.
# posted by : 6:31 PM
: 6:31 PM << Home
