Kuliouou Ridge Hike

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 Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail– April 22, 2011

I’ve been promising Chuck that I would join the Pearl City High School hiking club on a hike and finally after many empty promises, I fulfilled my promise. It was a perfect day to hike, wasn’t too hot, wasn’t too cold. The last time I visited Kuli’ou’ou was September 2010. I did the valley hike which led to two small waterfalls. This time was the more intermediate, ridge hike. Chuck said that we would gradually elevate through most of the trail and encounter great elevation towards the end. Sounded like Hawaii Loa Ridge. Chuck led the twelve person party up switchbacks, and for an old man Chuck led a furious pace. You needed to be in good condition to keep up with him. We took a few breaks and got to the steps section in about 2 hours. From there was 25 minutes of 45 degree angle stair master stepping toward the summit. No one wanted to admit it, but it took a lot of energy and we were huffing and puffing.  For me it was great. I already knew what this feeling felt like because of Hawaii Loa. The view from the summit was outstanding. The mountain featured a 270 degree angle of Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai, and Honolulu. The picture doesn’t do it justice. Most simple summit hikes especially in the East Honolulu provide only a 180 degree angle, so 270 degrees provides more panorama. After about 30 minutes at the summit we went back down on the trail and ate lunch at a picnic bench located on the trail. The hike down was so easy, it was all downhill.

group picture

up the hill

pano


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