ADAM HAYDOCK

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

January 08, 2016

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

After the Waialeale Blue hole trail I had some time to go to the south section of the island to check out the ritzy side where burgers were almost 20 dollars and happy hour meant that the drink specials were 10 dollars instead of 15 or 20 dollars. Who, in their right mind has money to spend like that?

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

The south east corner of Shipwreck Beach in Keonela Bay has sand-dune cliffs, Kiawe trees, limestone formations and rocky inlets that provide an occasional safe haven for marine life. There is also the only limestone cave in Hawaii just off shore which is worth the visit if you are bored of the blue waters, dry conditions, and beautiful beaches. You might also be getting spoiled by the island but whatever the reason, the cave is worth a visit.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

The cliffs provide a safe haven for monk seals and sea turtles which can be found from time to time depending on how the waves are and where you look on the coast. I was able to catch one sea turtle relaxing in a cove away from the rip currents.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

I was really tempted to jump in as the water looked clear and I could see the bottom from where I was standing. I could climb back up and out of the water but I just decided that risking a rip current and having no mask would put a damper on my self elected risk vs. reward situation that I would put myself in.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

The plants that live in this area were busting out some flowers which gave the seashore a little more pizzaz but other than the pines and the jade tree shrubbery surrounding the hinterland, the lava and basalt prevailed.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

The cliffs got pretty tall but they also had some remote beaches around the coves so as you walk down the trail you might be able to find a beach to yourself.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

The trail stretches off pretty far down the coast so if you have a desire to discontinue bumming on the beach and gaining some exercise, this is one of the best trails to tackle. The history of the trail is also interesting to read about and Captain Cooks landing is not to far away from this place too.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

Just down the road from shipwreck beach and in between the fancy hotels is a nice cove where snorkelers, divers, and swimmers can go catch a glimpse of what's underwater near Poipu. Tangs, Parrot Fish, Angel fish, urchins, and a sea turtle were all spotted in the dive location. I recommend at least a half day here to swim around.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

Lovely place and a great break form the rain forest if you are looking to enjoy some sun and dry pastures after multiple days in the bush.

MAHA'AULEPU HERITAGE TRAIL

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THE KALALAU TRAIL KAUAI, HAWAII

January 08, 2016

Kalalau Valley, Kalalau Trail, Kauai.

Ever since I knew that I wanted to travel and experience the most exotic places on the planet, the Kalalau Trail was one of those places that I dreamed about visiting. It was one of the first places that I found to be that kind of place that just looks like nothing else on this planet that wouldn't break the bank and near the United States mainland, Well kind of near. Backpacker magazine called it one of the 10 most dangerous hikes on the planet, which I do not necessarily agree with, but the beauty of this trail and the jagged cliff faces of the Napoli coast is something that is quite hard to find anywhere on our planet.

Kalalau Valley, Kalalau Trail, Kauai.

The Kalalau Trail can be found on the north side of the island of Kauai and is a 11 mile hike, one way, to a beautiful beach surrounded by towering cliffs, waterfalls, and interesting rain forest. Now add all that in with the backdrop of the Kalalau Valley and this beach is one of the most exotic places anywhere.

Kalalau Trail, Kauai Hawaii

I set out for the trailhead at around 6AM. I condensed this trip into a day trip to go to the Kalalau Valley and back with a visit to one of the waterfalls along the way, I wanted to get the more remote one so if I ever return, it might be a bit easier to visit the one closer to the trailhead.

Kalalau trail. Kauai Hawaii

The hike itself was long and can be a bit strenuous depending on what you are carrying. I elected to include a light weight pack for the trip and brought the bare minimum so I could move quick and get back before sunset.

Hanakapi Beach Kalalau Trail, Kauai

If you are camping over night, I suggest pushing for an early start as the sun will be behind the mountains for almost half the day, The total ascent is around 5000feet one way, the switch backs provide shade, water to purify, and the jungle portions will be a bit cooler than being on the spur roundabouts. There is a desert like section where the trail narrows a bit and has a slighter potential to become risky but if care is taken, it is not bad.

Kalalau Trail, Kauai Hawaii

For the first two miles I was in complete darkness. It was nice and quiet all the way to Hanakapi Beach. The waves were tearing through this beach as the dim cloudy sun started to work its way through the nightfall. It was an experience in itself to be the only one on the trail in this section until some weary hikers came up from the Kalalau beach. They must have left around 4 am and hiked most of the trail in total darkness.

Kalalau Trail, Kauai Hawaii

The beautiful lush rain forest started to take form as the sun slowly created a gray dawn and I no longer needed my partial flickering incandescent headlamp.

Kalalau Trail, Kauai Hawaii

I was impressed with the nature of these plants and how unique they looked to other rain forests that I have visited in the past.

Kalalau Trail Kauai, Hawaii

Continuing on past the beach, the trail turned into a series of switchback directions and weaved itself through patches of forest and I followed a mid cliff ridge switching back a bit to the first and second significant spur.

Hanakoa Valley, Kalalau Trail, Kauai.

This is where the trail started to get interesting. The whole time you follow the trail, you can hear the ocean waves smashing up onto the cliff walls and you can also see the debris from the wall washing away into the ocean from the torrent of wave action created below. Moving around the corner was a valley that had to be followed back to the wall and back up to the next major spur.

Kalalau Trail Kauai, Hawaii

The switch back into the valley offered a lot of terrain variation as it gave the trail a lot of personality from being out on a open cliff overlooking the sea, to being in a dense jungle that turns back out on another cliff overlooking the sea. That was one of the amazing attributes that this trail will offer you.

Waterfall going into the ocean from one of the spurs on the Kalalau Trail.

bending around this Spur, you could start to see the outline of the Kalalau Beach which appeared to be decently close but with all the switchbacks and spurs to go around, the trail was set to be a lot longer than it looks.

Hanakoa Valley, Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

The next valley is Hanakoa valley which was a bit bigger than the last valley and also is home to a beautiful waterfall and a pool at the bottom of the falls that I planned on visiting on my return from the beach. At the back of the valley switchback in the jungle is the 6 mile mark and a place where people can camp. There appeared to be a lot of places to camp so I wouldn't worry too much about not finding a spot to park your weary legs to camp for the night before heading to the falls or the remaining trail.

Hanakoa Valley and Falls Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

You can see Hanakoa falls from the distance but I highly recommend you check this waterfall out as I have heard that it is the better of the two falls and quite a place to relax and hang out. You will prob have the waterfall to yourself.

Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

Continuing on the trail, the environment got a bit drier and the trail kept the hikers along the cliff coast for the majority of the trip. There will be a few switchbacks but you also come up to the notorious section that has been deemed dangerous. Personally, I did not find this section dangerous, rather I found it to be quite easy to walk along as there were many foot holds and enough room for two lanes of hikers coming through but not much more.

Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

I can see where some people would find it a bit tricky and if it was raining out than it could be a bit more slippery yet I found that there were a lot of places to step and as long as you were paying attention, you will be fine. but pay attention!

Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

The trail was beautiful from looking back as the sun casted a beautiful angle of light

Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

after passing this the mountians were shining with the suns rays cresting over the ridge.

Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

The Closer I got to the Kalalau Valley, the more majestic the views became. It was amazing to see the mountains and thankfully the sun was burning through the clouds to get some decent pictures.

Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

The kalalau Valley was starting to become in sight and the morning was moving on to late morning which I found surprising as I thought it was a couple hours earlier than it really was. I guess time flys when you are on mile 8 on one of the most beautiful trails on the planet.

Adam Haydock, Kalalau Trail Kauai Hawaii

The final approach was within site and I wanted to get to the top of a mound and have lunch surrounding myself with the green mountains, valley and the Napoli Coast.

There was a nice sign at the entrance of the valley resembling the entrance and a warm welcome to the Kalalau Valley.