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.