Monday, June 22, 2009

808 Hiker Hui @ Waimano Falls

























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The estimated time for this hike was about 2 1/2 hours total. Best to go after an evening of rainfall. Bring lots of water and proper hiking shoes are recommended but not needed.


The day started off a bit overcast in the Pearl City area. The hui met up at Pearl City McDonalds and headed out to Pacific Palasaides where at the end of Komo Mai Drive you will come upon the entrance trailhead with a check in station. Which now thinking back. We forgot to sign out. Darn...

We got to the trailhead a little after 10 am and started out. Our two trail leaders went ahead to assure the rest of our pack that safe entrance to paths were availiable. They did a great job. There is an area that you will need to desend to the valley floor. Its about 700 feet from top to floor bottom and there is alot of foot work involved. Its been a day now and my legs are still in pain from the hike down and the hike back up. There is a nick name for this desent and its called cardiac hill. If your out of shape like me and smoke like I do than I suggest taking your time both ways.


We arrived on the valley floor and immediately stood right infront the watering hole for the falls . There are three pools of which to swim , but the top two are very shallow. The large pool has a rope tied to a tree for swing and jumping. I recommend as with any pool where you are unable to determine the depth. To take caution . The water here is much cleaner then water that was over in Maunawili and for a Saturday the crowd wasnt as bad. We swam for about an hour had some lunch and headed on back. I remember the whole way back grumbling about the roots we had to climb over. If you miss step you will eat it and it wont be funny. I took four rest breaks on the way up and really I just could wait to get to the top. It was like being in hell and only you could get yourself out cause everybodys on their own. You dont hike out. The hui's gonna leave your ass there. Laura was the best. She hiked Yuri ( whos my youngest childs ) backpack in and out of this trail. Which wont happen again. You hike, you carry your own shit. Or dont hike at all.


We arrived back at the trailhead at about 1:45pm and decided to go over to Pearl harbor where my neice just started new employment and were invited by her to go to the pool. Just what we all needed. What a great hike. They say you loose two pants size. Better believe that. Dont forget. Bring lots of water.808 Hiker Hui photos @ Waimano below

Directions:


From Pearl City McDonalds continue toward the mountains on Waimano Home Road. You will turn left at the last traffic light atop. Your turn will put you on Komo Mai Drive. Follow that road down the dip and back up into Palasaides to the very end. You will come to a dead end with chain linked fence and immediately see the trailhead. Find parking along the road way. Be sure to be quiet for homeowners. Take Trash In ... Please Bring It Back Out!

808 Hiker Hui @ Maunawili Falls



The day started off early and I packed up the car and headed out to Manawili Falls. The weather was sunny and very humid so I made a pit stop over at Pali 7/11 and picked up some salty seed & bottled propel. I already had some drinking water pack prior to leaving home and normally when I plan to do long walks like over two miles I prefer propel. Its second to none the best hydrator for the paying consumer and a way better buy for those who want to keep the calorie count low. That other junk like life water and GQ are just sugar water. Check the back of the bottle, bet half the people drinking that stuff didnt realize they were better off drinking two cans of Pepsi which holds about the same calorie count.



Anyways we arrive there in the parking area. So beautiful and Jungle like. I remember coming here as a child. My older cousin would always get stuck watching over me and so I would end up with him on his traveling ventures. One of them being Maunawili Falls.



We started off and really this trail is an easy one. Theres alot of metal staircases thru out the entire trail and very well mantained. about 45 minutes into the trail youll come to a summit area where the view of the Koolaus are impeccable just like a painting. We proceeded and past maybe 10 streams all together. Some areas when heavy rain pour the night before would probabley fill. Be sure to expect slushy shoes. It took us about a good hour 10 minutes in and the same on the return if not faster. Upon arriving at the falls itself I was pretty disappointed because of the amount of people here and most were visitors from other countries. Like Brazil , France, and up states. Most of which need to be reminded to pick up their trash upon leaving our beautiful waterfall. If you dont push your way up front to the falls youll never have a chance to swim. It gets pretty dirty in the water because of the jumpers kicking up all the mud at the bottom of the pool. On weekends it gets pretty packed so if you plan a hike here and want a less hype crowd go on a week day.



All in all it was a pretty easy trail and I would encourage novice and unexperienced hikers to try this trail out for starters. I went ahead and posted a few photos of this day at Manawili mile half hike.



Directions : Take H1 to the Pali Hwy , then follow it to Kailua. Turn right at the second traffic light Auloa Road. Continue on as the road way forks veer to the left which will take you onto Maunawili Road. Turn right onto Kelewina and park around the corner of the trailhead on Lola Road. If you come to the sign in my picture with the cat you want to continue up that road about 1/4 mile to the actual trailhead.