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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When we hiked the washed out and very narrow part in August, I was grabbing on to the wall and a piece fell out and down 2000 ft. It is a very dangerous part of the trail, but worth every minute of it! Just be careful.
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