Kukui Trail Hike

This is Kukui Trail, trail head. This hike has an extreme elevation change of over 2000 feet.  Elevation gains are too extreme, especially with the time involved. Plus, the amount of water needed. Toting a gallon would be a requirement. A few snacks would also be needed. It was about 10 AM when this hike was started. Note the "START" marker lower center of photo.

Overall trail condition is very good. Careful foot placement is needed in many trail areas. Loose surfaces can be slippery. As from the photo, the sides are steep. It would be very difficult to get back up. What makes these hikes enjoyable is the peace and quiet, bird sounds, wind blowing through the trees. 

On the way back up, zoomed as much as possible to that tree, centered at the top of picture frame. That is the top most end of the trail. When ascending, the time was around 10:30, sun getting high, still a nice breeze. Each area of shade was helpful for a quick rest. In this case, two minutes uphill, a minute or so rest and repeat.

Koke'e Park highway 550 offers many good views of Waimea Canyon and from many angles. Hiking Koke'e trails offer yet another angle view of the canyons features. Sunshine illuminates various valleys that make viewing unique.

The goal was to hike down 15 minutes, a period of rest, then head back up. Sometimes hiking is all about numbers, how far, how long, how high. Many other Internet sources document this particular hike's extremes. Those are worth the read. It is just as hard as those sources have documented.

 Overall, this was an enjoyable hike. Clean air, bird songs, cool breeze, quiet. A few other hikers were on their way back up. They also looked bushed. It is totally possible to go all the way to the canyon floor and back up in a day. Another source said it took 2 hours to get back up. That sounds like an accurate time. Suggest starting out as early as possible.

Waimea Swinging Bridge

Waimea Swinging Bridge Repair. There had been a rock slide at Waimea Swinging Bridge a few months ago (late 2021 or early 2022). These are a few photos of the repairs that were done. The new lumber shown depict the extent of what was damaged. Construction company really did a good repair. From those other rock slide photo's, the rocks had filled in this area, totally demolishing the foot path and damaging vertical column integrity. 

Similar to Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, this is also a cable suspension bridge. Below is where the structural bracing is bolted into a concrete form. They have used long bolts and steel mounting brackets to mount those thick wood supports to the concrete form. New cables, new hardware, new lumber. Interesting to see how this was put together. Built to last a long time. Waimea Swinging Bridge is a special place.

Looking from the other direction, this shows the other point of view. The morning sun is shining in this direction. Rock slide made this impassible. Those right hand side cliff's have been there since ancient times. Menehune ditch flows along the bottom of the rock wall.  

Waimea Swinging Bridge is a special place. It allows residents on the other side of the river access to Menehune Road, which in turn is access to town, maybe 1.5 miles down river.  It's very peaceful here. If it is getting too hot, just walk over in the shade. If getting too cool, walk over in the sunshine. Breeze off the river keeps things very mild.

Hanapepe River Levee Walk

February 2022. A previous blog entry presented Waimea River Levee Walk. Hanapepe river also has a levee. With some spare minutes, thought to do a follow up to that walk. This levee is very well maintained and from the photo's, the grass has been recently cut. This was a first time walk. I understand the residents privacy concerns. There was ample foliage that serves as a natural visual privacy barrier.

This was in the mid-morning, and in February. The temperature was mild and just a little breeze. Doing this at noon in the summer would be a lot different. Came across this little fellow. Friendly little pup. He is from the area and was just out on his morning stroll also. It's best to not offer food because he is someone's dog. But if he had come over, certainly a pat on the head or a back scratch would have been ok.

The river flows very slowly. Normal tropical water birds frequent the area, though none are in the photos. These hills are formed in layers and are volcanic. On and adjacent hillside workers have tagged (with paint) certain area and are installing mediation steps in regards to rock slides. Thousands of years of weather, rain, the elements, it is part of natural evolution of hillside rock slides. Rock slides has now become a factor in all future hiking adventures.

Below is looking back at Hanapepe Bridge.

This was a first time walk along the levee. It was a peaceful and wonderful experience. There was no one out at this time in the morning through there was a family coming across the bridge as I was leaving. 

Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is located on Kauai and is the "Biggest Little Town". It spans Hanapepe river. Connecting a quiet and rural side of the river to where the shopping and businesses are located. This provides residents and guests an "over water foot path short cut" instead of a long walk to cement bridges located down river. This is a cable suspension bridge suspended by two wooden towers. Notice the steel cables fastened into the concrete base. These cables are firmly planted and very secure.

Though this looks like the bridge, it is a ramp leading up to the bridge entry way.  The sides are an open wire type of arrangement, fastened to vertical 2x4's. The handrails are 2x6's slightly angled inward. This ramp is surprisingly sturdy. Notice the years of wear and use. This is a classic island patina.

Beginning the walk across the bridge, we begin our walk across from the business side to the more 'rural' and 'quiet' side. It is also quite weathered. Similar to the boarding ramp, the sides are also open wire type of arrangement, fastened to vertical 2x4's.  In some places, open wire sections have been compromised. The handrails are also 2x6's and slightly angled. It's best to walk slowly and confidently across the bridge because it will sway and bounce. It's ok to stop in the middle and take in the the sights and enjoy clean island air.

Below shows the far side of the bridge and the wooden towers holding up the steel cables. There has been some recent maintenance as the lumber looks to be in a good state of repair. The red dirt is simply awesome. Be sure to have your personal items secured. If they fall, good chance it will be hard to retrieve. If it is electronic, well, sorry to say, it's gone.

Hanapepe is a very nice town. It used to be quite bustling. There were a few gas stations, movie theater, pool halls, shoe store, small outlet store, an old style pharmacy (comic books, soda fountain, lime aid [tart]), hardware store and famous 'Saimin Corner", $1.90 for a bowl. Since then, the community has preserved the charm the best way possible. Though some of the stores are now touristy art studio's, a few small breakfast and lunch places, car parts store, craft's. It is a wonderful place to visit and shop the art studio's. They have good prices!

The Next Three Posts

So, there has been very little to blog about. Truth is, not much activity or material has been going on. If there is anything worse than a blog that is focused on hiking and outdoor stuff, then contains nothing along that subject matter. Boring. 

Looking back over the year of blog entries, it has been minimal. I suppose that is part of the cycle of blogging. Eventually running out of things to write about. There is technical material to blog, but, geez, having to resort to that.

The next three blog entries hope to fill this gap. A Waimea River Levee Walk, Kawaikoi Stream Hike (Sugi Grove), and a Wailua Falls Follow Up. 

Kawaikoi Stream Hike (Sugi Grove)

Sugi Grove Hike has been on the agenda for quite a while. Ok, for the record I did not get all the way to Sugi Grove. I Stopped at Kawaikoi Stream. Sugi Grove was across the stream and maybe 20 minutes further. I did not prepare for a stream crossing (socks, water proofing, etc). However, for this hike, I planned, prepared and studied a topographical map. Previous recon of the area as well (a few trips ago). A few years ago, there was a geocache hike to Berry Flats. Did not find the geocache, I had intended to hike to Sugi Grove then, but the weather was rainy and misty which made for slippery and muddy jeep trail. Not fun and not safe.

So here is the discussion point. To me, this is somewhat a big deal because (1) I've heard a lot about this. (2) Wet conditions can make this hard - impassible. (3) Three miles each way can be tough, plus hills, more about that later. To others, local people familiar with the area, this is just a routine drive in the country. Regarding this drive in the country. I'd say a passenger car would be fine, though extra clearance would be helpful. Lots of ruts and so forth so it is not a perfect smooth dirt road.

This follows the same dirt road / jeep trail route to Berry Flats. There had not been any rain for a few days, so the dirt road was nice and dry, fun and safe. Some of the particulars are: About 3 miles each way.  A little over an hour each way. Possibly less that a full 3 miles each way. The below photos show the condition of the road. Also, two of the three bridges that are along the route.

Ok, lets talk about the hills, or as I should say, elevation changes. I did mention that I studied a topographical map of the area. Mostly this study was to get the route, meaning the direction from Camp Slogget to Kawaikoi Stream and to make a distance estimate. You, know, taking into consideration the turns are and so forth. After the hike, and having experienced the elevation changes and 3 bridge crossings, I revisited the topo map with clarity and only then did I see the bridges and contour lines - elevation. Note to self for next time - attention to detail. It's just helpful is all.

Along the way there are two picnic areas. This is the first one, Alakai Picnic Area. There is a single picnic table, covering, pavilion type type of arrangement. Small outhouse, trash cans. It was a nice morning, still early (7:30'ish) and cool. No people yet, no helicopters or vehicles.  

After leaving that first picnic area, continued along the road, and somewhat down in elevation. 12 - 15 minutes later, this picnic area was next. Above is signage of this picnic area and below is the picnic area. It was early in the morning. I was the only one there. It was here I decided to consume the snack, have some water and rest a bit. I left around 8:10 for the walk back.  

And here is Kawaikoi Stream. The turn-around point. The road to Sugi Grove continues on the opposite far side. Going past Sugi Grove is Camp 10. Possible a future hike?

It was a nice hike. Preparation was helpful. Carried minimal load, just a bottle of water and a few snacks. This is totally driveable. Ground clearance is important. It would be a bouncy ride. Walking it was ok. Some of the elevation changes were challenging. Coming across the bridges was very cool and unexpected as I had not 'carefully' studied the topo maps. The whole time, there was no one else hiking. Although, on the way back a pair of Toyota 4x4's passed me. There are several cabin's along this road so it is just a ride in the country.

 

 

 

Waimea River Levee Walk

Starting off this blog entry with I'd think the people who walk along the top of this levee are very fortunate. Why do you ask. Well, it is relaxing and no traffic. The sights and sounds can put a person at ease. The earlier the better before the sun comes up into its full glory. There are a few river islands and birds which make things interesting.

The entire length of the levee was walked, from where Smokey Valley Club House (was) to Swinging Bridge. The older Smokey Valley was replaced with a neighborhood center type of arrangement. So, from there (I parked there) then back the way I came, passing Smokey Valley, towards the river mouth, turning around a little after going under the highway.

Began this walk around 06:30. Fairly early for rural Waimea. There was concern that neighborhood dogs would be alerted and bark (they did). Then, in the case someone would look out their window seeing a non-recognized person out for a morning walk on the levee (tried to put that out of my mind). So, that was the concern. However, on the way back, others were out for their walk too with their dogs! 

Below is the levee and Waimea River. This was a nice, peaceful and cool morning. Perfect conditions for a walk. Having lived, grown up in Waimea, (well 4 years in Waimea), I had never did a levee walk. After all, who in their right mind at the age of 14 - 18 would ever want to do a levee walk. There were many beach walks and mountain hikes, but never this. Perhaps it was not time for that.

With Swinging Bridge in the background and lush greenery on the right. It was starting to get a little warmer out. Previously mentioned that I never did a levee walk, but what I can say is many drives to Swinging Bridge. Very peaceful and is a go-to place to relax.

Then the famous Swinging Bridge. Always a nice place to see when in Waimea. It is up the valley, apparently a mile and a half from the highway? Not sure, but the round trip walk came up to 3 miles on GPS. I was surprised. So at this point after enjoying the scenery, it was turn around time. There is a geocache here. Was not able to find it.

After turning around and headed towards the highway (ocean) the bridge. It was almost 0730 now and quite a lot of traffic. A school bus and many cars on the bridge. It was warming up too. This was 100% flat no elevation change. Morning time it will warm up.

And here is the other turn around point.  A view from under the bridge looking towards Russian Fort.

This concludes the Waimea River Levee Walk. Enjoyed it, would do it again. Next time to find a spot in the shade and sit for awhile. Ok, now, I did see evidence of fireworks and so forth, so times of celebration would need to be avoided.