Hiking Various Kauai Trails

Kauai Hiking 2018

We had the sole intention of hiking The Kalalau Trail. We scheduled our flights, bought permits, and planned like heck. However, the hiking gods gave a grim forecast and in the end Kauai got the worst flooding in years, so much so that a lost Buffalo ended up in the ocean and someone had to save it. 

picture from civil beat

Kilauea Lighthouse - March 22, 2018

With the road closure and the Kalalau trail closed, we needed to regroup. Close by was the Kilauea Lighthouse. This place is a refuge for native flora and fauna. 

It was freezing cold when we got out of the car. My goal was to identify as many native plants as possible. The mood was not the best as everyone knew Kalalau was a no go and probably a no go for the entire trip as bad weather was forecast. Daniel had to fork over Michelle and I's $5 per person fee as we didn't have any cash.

A huge akoko grove was in the parking lot and we took pictures of the healthy plant.

akoko

There was one plant we couldn't identify, I thought it was naio, the Hawaiian bastard sandalwood, but no one seemed to agree with me. I could tell by the flowers, but sometimes that is not the only feature to identify a plant. 

naio

It was freezing cold, I had to stay in the historical center to get warm. A Nene goose was eating bugs outside, so I had to take a picture. Although the Nene goose aren't the friendliness of animals, it is always great to see the world's most endangered goose. 

Nene goose eating

After about 1 hour we left, it was too cold and we were just freezing our asses. Post hike meal was in Lihue at a place called Smiley's. We ate there yesterday. The food was so good that we had to eat there again. Unfortunately, they didn't have shrimp which was a special yesterday. But since we were there, we had to eat. 

Ahi Katsu from Smiley's

 Alaka'i Swamp - March 23, 2018

With Kalalau hike cancelled due to a flash flood watch, we had a back up plan of doing the Alaka'i Swamp. This was such an underrated hike and should only be done with true hikers who could appreciate such a place. 

The hard part was the drive from Anahola to Koke'e. That took us 2+ hours. We started the hike late about 11am or so. Aprille read that a worker at the Koke'e visitor's center could help us with directions. When Aprille asked her, she said WE DO NOT RECOMMEND HIKING TODAY BECAUSE OF... a thunder storm... the swamp is like quick sand, you'll sink... its too muddy... there is a treacherous stream crossing...yada yada yada... I grinned at Daniel while she was advising us not to go. We laughed it off and went anyway. We understood her point, but come on, we seen worst. 

The hike started at the Pu'u O Kila look out, that is where the Pihea trail started. It was muddy, but nothing that spikes could not take care of. Some views which was outstanding, but the clouds came rolling in. There was lots of native plants in the area and it was a sight to behold. We took a wrong turn at the junction, but Daniel caught the mistake and we turned back. The trail produced so much natives that is was overload and a bit stressing. We seen the Ohe Naupaka, the one we were looking for on the Aiea Ridge trail a month ago.  We were so excited. There were tons of them all over the area. Also in abundance was the Ohe Wai, rare on Oahu, but tons here  on the Pihea/Alakai Swamp trail. It changes your mindset. Instead of looking for a partciular plant, you see it all the time and get it confused with the other common native plants. Other native plants include; Alani, Ohelo, Manono, Kawa'u, and of course Ohia. The boardwalk appeared near the junction on the Pihea trail. At the junction was a continuation of the Pihea trail. A left turn would take you to the Alaka'i crossing. That is what we did. I was so sad to see so much ginger in the area. A team has to remove this invasive species as it is killing native plants. 

Daniel as the clouds started to roll in

Michelle on the boardwalk

'Ohe Naupaka

The boardwalk led us down to a stream. It was not treacherous as it was easily crossed even with all the rain the past couple of days. After the stream, was a hike up to the top where the swamp was. This got the juices flowing as the natives were more in abundance and the swamp area was a sight to behold. Can you imagine all the rare species of plants in that area? It started raining cats and dogs. It was cold and we rushed to the socked in Kilohana lookout. It was disappointing and short lived. Everyone started heading back. It actually was a good move as time was of the essence. The swamp got really irie and mystical. It was like we were in a movie, clouds were rolling in. You could barely see the person in front of you. One of those magical experiences. I think Daniel got some good video. 

Alakai Swamp

washing up at the treacherous stream

Getting out was quick, probably about 2.5 hours. I wish we had more time there. I would love to spend a few days rummaging around looking at the native plants. 

Makahleha Falls - March 24-25, 2018

This wasn't an overnighter. We went on Saturday and the stream was in really rough shape, brown doo doo water. Even if we crossed, I would imagine it would be difficult to cross the stream further ahead. We took some weird pictures and turned back.

The next day with a night of light rain and a morning full of sun, we headed off. The stream looked blue and not chocolate. We crossed the stream with eased and headed on the left side up a bamboo grove. The trail went in and out and we had to rock hop in a few places. We got to what I thought was an island. To the left was a nice looking waterfall which we would find out later from Baron that it doesn't flow very often. That was a treat! The terrain got wild and I think some in our group felt uncomfortable, but as long as we followed the stream we would be in good shape. 

checking out stream, then turning around pc. Jana

This reminded me of Koloa gulch although much shorter. In about 1.5 hours we got the fork. We decided to go right instead of left, a decision that turned out well. After about 20 minutes of rock hopping and finding a trail, we got to a nice 45 foot waterfall which had multiple tiers. I was somewhat cold, but we ended up taking a group picture. Daniel pointed out some mamake trees, which didn't look like mamake. My phone got water logged and it upset me as the Samsung 7 is waterproof. I told everyone that I took this phone in the pool and it was fine. Now, I only submerged in a water a little bit and it died. What a disappointment. All the pictures here are from Erik who is very good at sharing his pics. 

at the fork, pic by Bernice

Group pic at waterfall pc Jana

 

Going back, there was a time crunch. At the fork, we made a decision to not see the left waterfall. We headed back quickly and got out a little under 1.5 hours. I think everyone was tired from the 4 days we spent in not so great living conditions. It wasn't the best trip, but we learned a lot from each other. 

going back through hau tangle pc Aprille

We went back to Kumu Camp and took a shower.