- Joined
- Dec 9, 2005
- Messages
- 2,617
For those of us who look out into a yard of white and step out into air that hurts here's a glimpse of good weather.
The summer before last I was able to hike the Kalalau Trail on the island of Kauai. I'd of shared these sooner but time has not been on my side the past few years and seeing as things are starting to settle down I figured it was time to share some of the pics.
The trail is 22 miles round trip that zigzags its way along the northwestern coast of Kauai. Elevation is sea level to 800' repeating with switchbacks. The trail condition was better then what I remember from 1999 and I actually came across a group locals doing trail maintenance just after the first two miles. In 99 I only made it to the 6 mile marker and had to turn back so my honeymoon didn't end in an annulment so the last five miles were all new to me. It took me 7.5 hours in and the same going out.
I was dropped off around 0730 on a Sunday morning and picked up around 1400 the next day. This was a solo hike.
We're off. The trail has an abundance of warning signs and emergency helipads in various places.
Looking back at the beach where the trailhead is atop the first hill.
A little further up the trail things opened up and you get a good look at what's to come.
In 99 I crossed this in Jan. and it was more like a waist deep river. In the summer it's more like a stream.
Basic trail shot
Kayakers that sounded like they were on the trail with me. Amazing how the voices carry up the cliff faces.
A more puckering part of the trail and the view around the corner looking down. At this part of the trail you run the risk of people that are hiking out so the earlier you go the better. Passing consists of wedging into the cliff face so people can get by or vise versa.
The end can't be to much further now.
A mile to go and the last river you cross. Looks like my wife enhanced the river shot.
Some sort of scary thing checking me out while I refilled the water bottle's it was not shy.
Random shot while hiking out the next morning.
Goat shot. I'm glad it wasn't on the trail with me, some of the trail is so tight that if one of these wanted to play chicken you'd need a chute and a prayer.
Hiking pale and pack.
As mentioned above I've been on the trail before and knew what I was getting into so I packed light.
The pack is a Sierra Designs Herald 30 it was a find at REI for $35.00 I like the fact that it uses an aluminum brace and pads to keep the pack just enough off your back to allow air flow and the hip belt has pockets to keep small items close at hand. I carried my Klean Kanteen 40ozer with cup in a slinged carrier, two extra quart bottles one in each side pocket, Pur hiker purifier, MSR whisper light stove, one can of fuel, quart pot, 4 Mountain house 2 serving meals, basic first aid kit, whistle, one pair of extra socks, one pair running shorts, one pair extra underwear, one lightweight long sleeved shirt, Eureka Solitaire Tent, ThermaRest Guidelite air mattress, lightweight rain coat this also served as my blanket , head lamp, book, a combination of 8 Zinger gel packs, coffee, cell phone, camera, Keen sandals, Spyderco UK Penknife serrated, Swiss tool, Busse Satin Jack Tac in an RainWalker sheath. I didn't weigh everything but with water my gear was under 30lbs easy.
Side notes and things I'd of done a bit different: You will see naked people at the end of this trail. Starting early is key you don't want to be doing any of this trail in the dark in fact if it were raining or real windy I'd of taken an extra day. Know your limits, the trailhead had a few posters with missing hikers. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. When I reached the end I found a group of people that seem to live back there year around the ones I spoke with were friendly and pointed out a small water fall to rinse the trail dust off and some good spots to set up camp and check out. One guy must of been the hippie park ranger of Kauai he was bare footed, wore cut offed jeans, no shirt, with hair to the middle of his back. He was repeating the trail rules from the permit off the top of his head the guy was a character. I wouldn't recommend leaving gear unattained for any length of time though and hid mine when I went to the waterfall. Check your footwear and if there's an integrity question start breaking in a new pair. I don't know how many miles my Danner GTX's had on them but they gave up the ghost on the way out (separated sole from upper on the inside step) I can't complain though they gave me years of good service and I carry duct tape. If I get the opportunity to do this again I'll lose the tent and bring a hammock and small tarp for shelter, more food would of been nice. Insects weren't an issue for me until I got to the beach and then I ran across what I think were sand fleas I'm sure deet would of helped. If you hear something outside your tent at 0'dark thirty it maybe what I think was a small pig I named it AH! Whatever it was it'll run away when you shine it with your headlamp. And lastly beware of centipedes I had one under my tent in the morning.... HUGE.
The summer before last I was able to hike the Kalalau Trail on the island of Kauai. I'd of shared these sooner but time has not been on my side the past few years and seeing as things are starting to settle down I figured it was time to share some of the pics.
The trail is 22 miles round trip that zigzags its way along the northwestern coast of Kauai. Elevation is sea level to 800' repeating with switchbacks. The trail condition was better then what I remember from 1999 and I actually came across a group locals doing trail maintenance just after the first two miles. In 99 I only made it to the 6 mile marker and had to turn back so my honeymoon didn't end in an annulment so the last five miles were all new to me. It took me 7.5 hours in and the same going out.
I was dropped off around 0730 on a Sunday morning and picked up around 1400 the next day. This was a solo hike.
We're off. The trail has an abundance of warning signs and emergency helipads in various places.
Looking back at the beach where the trailhead is atop the first hill.
A little further up the trail things opened up and you get a good look at what's to come.
In 99 I crossed this in Jan. and it was more like a waist deep river. In the summer it's more like a stream.
Basic trail shot
Kayakers that sounded like they were on the trail with me. Amazing how the voices carry up the cliff faces.
A more puckering part of the trail and the view around the corner looking down. At this part of the trail you run the risk of people that are hiking out so the earlier you go the better. Passing consists of wedging into the cliff face so people can get by or vise versa.
The end can't be to much further now.
A mile to go and the last river you cross. Looks like my wife enhanced the river shot.
Some sort of scary thing checking me out while I refilled the water bottle's it was not shy.
Random shot while hiking out the next morning.
Goat shot. I'm glad it wasn't on the trail with me, some of the trail is so tight that if one of these wanted to play chicken you'd need a chute and a prayer.
Hiking pale and pack.
As mentioned above I've been on the trail before and knew what I was getting into so I packed light.
The pack is a Sierra Designs Herald 30 it was a find at REI for $35.00 I like the fact that it uses an aluminum brace and pads to keep the pack just enough off your back to allow air flow and the hip belt has pockets to keep small items close at hand. I carried my Klean Kanteen 40ozer with cup in a slinged carrier, two extra quart bottles one in each side pocket, Pur hiker purifier, MSR whisper light stove, one can of fuel, quart pot, 4 Mountain house 2 serving meals, basic first aid kit, whistle, one pair of extra socks, one pair running shorts, one pair extra underwear, one lightweight long sleeved shirt, Eureka Solitaire Tent, ThermaRest Guidelite air mattress, lightweight rain coat this also served as my blanket , head lamp, book, a combination of 8 Zinger gel packs, coffee, cell phone, camera, Keen sandals, Spyderco UK Penknife serrated, Swiss tool, Busse Satin Jack Tac in an RainWalker sheath. I didn't weigh everything but with water my gear was under 30lbs easy.
Side notes and things I'd of done a bit different: You will see naked people at the end of this trail. Starting early is key you don't want to be doing any of this trail in the dark in fact if it were raining or real windy I'd of taken an extra day. Know your limits, the trailhead had a few posters with missing hikers. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. When I reached the end I found a group of people that seem to live back there year around the ones I spoke with were friendly and pointed out a small water fall to rinse the trail dust off and some good spots to set up camp and check out. One guy must of been the hippie park ranger of Kauai he was bare footed, wore cut offed jeans, no shirt, with hair to the middle of his back. He was repeating the trail rules from the permit off the top of his head the guy was a character. I wouldn't recommend leaving gear unattained for any length of time though and hid mine when I went to the waterfall. Check your footwear and if there's an integrity question start breaking in a new pair. I don't know how many miles my Danner GTX's had on them but they gave up the ghost on the way out (separated sole from upper on the inside step) I can't complain though they gave me years of good service and I carry duct tape. If I get the opportunity to do this again I'll lose the tent and bring a hammock and small tarp for shelter, more food would of been nice. Insects weren't an issue for me until I got to the beach and then I ran across what I think were sand fleas I'm sure deet would of helped. If you hear something outside your tent at 0'dark thirty it maybe what I think was a small pig I named it AH! Whatever it was it'll run away when you shine it with your headlamp. And lastly beware of centipedes I had one under my tent in the morning.... HUGE.
Last edited:
