Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Hawaii Loa Ridge

IMG_0512

4th of July, 2011. Sommer and I were joined by the Daw's, Duvernay's and our Makiki Ward Missionaries, Edwards & Turina, on a hike up Hawaii Loa Ridge. We got our start early the fourth at around 7 am. The gated community of Hawaii Loa Ridge only allows ten cars at a time to access the "exclusive" ridge for hiking (access does not equal parking). Luckily we got there early as we were the 5th and 6th cars allowed in to hike the ridge. The line of cars was so long security at the entrance was turning cars away that were waiting in line to enter. After everyone in our cars signed the release forms we made our way up the steep ridge lined with posh, multi-million dollar homes.

Photo credit: www.Hawaii-Realty.com
Hawaii Loa Ridge is nice in one sense in that your car does a lot of the climbing for you. The trail head starts at just under 1100 feet in elevation at a very nice park at the top of the neighborhood (that they remind you is not for public use).

IMG_0474
Our group at the beginning of the trail:  Elders Edwards and Turina, Shelly & TJ Daw, Mike & Kat Duvernay, Sommer and Scott Hovey.

There is a nice gradual ascent as you start the trail.

IMG_0507

IMG_0475

In the beginning the trail is dry and offers no shade.

IMG_0506

About a third of the way in the trees start to offer some shade, but the hills start.

IMG_0505

IMG_0495

IMG_0494

About half way on the trail is a tree that seems to be floating in the air.

IMG_0502

Once the small hills are done, the real climbing begins.

IMG_0496

IMG_0490

The trail turns into a series of eroded "steps" and slippery muddy, crumbly exposed sections. Some with rope, some without.

IMG_0488

IMG_0478

IMG_0476

About 3/4 of the way to the summit, TJ and the girls headed back for the trailhead, calling it a day a little early.

IMG_0480

Mike and I, along with Elders Turina and Edwards pushed on to the summit.

IMG_0489

We were rewarded with a nice view of Waimanalo, in between breaks in the clouds.

Hawaii.Loa.Ridge.02

IMG_7917

IMG_7880

The summit also provided great views of East O`ahu and Waikiki.

IMG_7862

Hawaii.Loa.Ridge.01

After taking in the beauty that is a Ko`olau summit terminus, we took some pics of ourselves and headed back.

IMG_7869

IMG_7912

It rained on the way back, making the steep trail even more slippery to head down.

IMG_7930

In a couple of hours we were back at the trailhead.

IMG_0513

It was a great way to spend Independence Day. Free to get into the posh, exclusive neighborhood, get dirty and sweaty, and get all the benefits of their million dollar homes without spending a dime!

Bonus...fireworks!

IMG_7949


Double bonus...video.


Rest of the pictures:

No comments:

Post a Comment