Waipoo Falls and Black Pipe Trail

On a previous trip to Kauai, I elected not hike to Waipo'o Falls. This trip, there was one trip to Koke'e planned. The main goal other than for a stroll in the cool temperatures was to geocache and find one particular cache that had been eluding me for quite a few years, like three or four. I prepared well to find this geocache and brought along my trusty friend Scrat. Ok, Scrat is just a stuffed little toy, but many geocacher's have such a pal to bring along. Plus, Scrat reminds me of Randi the dog.

It has been raining on Kauai for several days and was raining the day I went up to Koke'e. It was not actually raining on that side of the island, lucky, unlucky for me, no matter. I was hiking regardless. The rain was fantastic and fed into the falls making it quite spectacular. Parking at the Halemanu, entrance sign to Koke'e State Park at around 6:15, suited up and took off. For some reason I wanted to time how long each leg took.

Leg 1: 15 minutes: From Koke'e State Park sign (Halemanu) to the Cliff Trail, Black Pipe Trail signage. 

Leg 2: 15 minutes: From Cliff Trail, Black Pipe Trail signage to actual trail head of Cliff Trail.

Leg 3: 20 minutes: Actual trail head of Cliff Trail to the falls.

I think actual time was 12 minutes instead of 15, just rounded up for safety reasons. Mentioning before that it had been raining on Kauai for several day before. However, the dirt road / jeep trail did not show evidence of rain and the actual trails showed fine powder and foot prints from the day before. I had not been training at all for hiking, so this was a tough one.

The goal was geocaching, so I had prepared well and studied the pictures people posted of this particular geocache and studied the hints. My GPS was working pretty well, since I knew the general area and the hint was "at the base of the tree", figured this would be simple. It was - THIS TIME. Geez, and I'm glad to have found it. Thanks to Scrat.

The falls looked very nice, took safety first and did not do any adventuring close to the edge. Water was just flowing quickly and made just a wonderful sound. After several deep breaths of fresh mountain air, inventoried gear and secured all belongings.

On the way out and back, bumped into another early morning hiker on his way to the falls. So, as I continued back, came to the fork in the trail, direct route back or the Black Pipe Trail. I had been considering to take the Black Pipe Trail back instead of the more direct way I came route. This was not a mistake, and the trail really made me work at it, hard. I suppose doing the Black Pipe Trail first and coming around to the falls from that direction would be an interesting route to take. 

It takes you through more forest and along the top of a forested ridge, where below is the stream feeder for the falls (I think). Not sure if it is possible to see the stream because of the vegetation (fragrant ginger), plus I was pretty darn tired to see well and to hear well. Continuing on Black Pipe Trail, it turns into the dirt road / jeep trail that is Halemanu. I was glad when I got on this dirt road and it went downhill. Was able to make up some time, not that time was a factor, just tired.

I think next time, I'd do the Black Pipe Trail with the thought to spend more time in various areas, take some pictures and sit and relax. Packing more water and snacks would be helpful. Funny, in reality, it is maybe 5 miles (possible less) and taking a snack and extra water - really?

Not many photo's, but a google search for "Black Pipe Trail Kauai", or "Waipoo Falls Kauai" will return a wealth of information including topo maps and photos.

Railroad Trestle Hike

This hike is continuation event from the Satellite Beach Hike. Once I left Florida, it was off to Pennsylvania to visit family. As a youngster, there would be summer time travels to Pennsylvania to visit family. I was pretty young at the time and really not into hiking. My dad would take me along on his walks and like to go to this railroad trestle. On this hike, my cousin's husband Mitch was my guide.

 The trestle itself has been here for quite sometime. They have done some needed work (as I have been told) to repair the catwalk from rickety and broken wood to industrial strength steel diamond pattern non-slip material. There is no way a person can slip off of this. And with the diamond pattern, any snow or ice would fall right though.

It was mid-June, mid-afternoon, time so it was not too hot. Actually the day before it was more hot and much more humid. The walk along the tracks was as expected, either a constant shifting of your pace (because of the railroad tie spacing) or walk along the base. Walking along the tracks was not too bad so that was the better option. Plus, wanted to avoid the possibility of poison oak, ticks and other strange critters.

Once at the trestle, it was very intimidating. It was a very long drop with a good flowing creek at the bottom. There was absolute silence, only the wind in the trees and the sounds of the creek. The air was very clean. Pleasant place to spend the afternoon.

Trekking across the trestle was not physically difficult or scary, though at first there was a slight bit of being overwhelmed with the height, the distance needed to be traveled and of course, it being the first time doing this hike. Now if it had been midnight, in a raining thunderstorm and with a train coming, that would have really been something.

Several minutes later and across the trestle, we stopped to rest a bit, have a drink of water and enjoy the scenery. A short while later, we were up again. Instead of doubling back, Mitch followed a trail through the forest that would take us to an earthen dam, along the berm of the dam, following a dirt road jeep trail and eventfully paralleling the railroad tracks on the left and corn fields on the right

This turned out to be a really pleasant way to spend an afternoon. This hike could be done in the slow, take in the scenery type of experience, or could be at a very quick pace, or in such a way and at a particular time when forest animals would normally be out.

I have to admit that the narrative does not necessarily follow the photographs. Suppose sometimes it is not good timing to take a picture and one would rather immerse themselves in the moment letting the nature soak in.