A hike in Makaha

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Pear Gulch - March 22, 2015


In the southern part of Makaha Valley is a gulch known as Pear Gulch named because the gps track looks like a pear. B has been enamored with the Waianae range recently specifically Makaha & Ohikilolo Valleys. Why? He gets fixated on stuff like this. He got some information for Waianae S and Makaha G about a Gulch that meanders between Knife Edge and Razor Ridge. He wanted to find the trail that branches off Knife Edge so he could loop the two dangerous ridges together one day. 

We met at the Sports Authority in Waikele at about 7am. Joining us were Bernice & Allison. B drove us to Makaha Valley checking in with the guard and parking in the visitors parking, dropping Makaha G's name to get in. We started on the Board of Water Supply road for only a few minutes, but at the concrete slab, we quickly went into the forest what B called the H4 trail. This trail intersected with the gigi trail marked by green spray paint. In no time we got on the service road to the Kaneaki Heiau, which was one of the ancient sites I needed to see. I was so happy, it made my day and it was only the start of the hike! After taking the service road for a while, we veered onto the the Pear Gulch trail marked with yellow. The Pear Gulch trail ascended greatly up the mountain topping out at Knife Edge Ridge. This starts the contour and what is known as the Pear shape of the gulch. 

service road

Kaneaki Heiau

Knife Edge Ridge Lookout Makaha
Topped out at Knife Edge

The trail was in descent shape, but it wasn't flat. The contour went up and down. We went in and out of gullies, losing the trail from time to time. The military uses the area, they installed a fence near the top of the mountain. There is also a campsite that they use as well. Waianae S & Makaha G tagged what appeared to be tons of native plants in the area. I tried to take a bunch of pictures with the labels in the picture so I could remember. However, all these plants look the same after a while.  

Pear Gulch, military fence installed

a'ali'i

It took about 3 hours to make the pear on the gps track. My gps crapped out, so my track doesn't look too good. The route did not intersect Razor Ridge. Going back, B took us to a place called the icy pond, named because it was cold as fuck. B and Allison jumped in, so I did as well. I jumped off the rock which was fun. I would love to go back and swim in the pond on another hot day. Because we were refreshed, going back in the sun wasn't too bad.

Ice Pond Makaha
icy pond

The post hike meal was at Waikele Chili's. I ordered the chicken sandwich, which was good, but Chili's in my opinion is a little overrated. The food doesn't taste that great. 

This was an excellent hike in Makaha. Not many people get to go into the valley. It is owned by the Board of Water Supply and they frown upon anyone who goes back there. 

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