Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Manoa Cliffs - Pu`u `Ōhi`a: Tantalus Ramble

September 3, 2011

Manoa Cliffs Trail 01

Headed up Tantalus for a short hike and ramble around the network of trails intertwining the Tantalus area. Officially the State calls the trails the "Honolulu Mauka Trail System." The Honolulu Mauka Trail System is made up of 18 official trails in the Ko`olau above Makiki and Manoa.

Today I headed up Tantalus and planned on hiking a short loop, up the Manoa Cliffs trail to the junction of the Pu`u 'Ōhi'a trail, continue up to the top of Pu`u `Ōhi`a then down the Pu`u `Ōhi`a trail to Round Top Dr., then along the road back to my car at the Manoa Cliffs trail head. It was a relatively short 3.5 mile loop.

Manoa Cliffs - Puu Ohia Loop

Back in 1995 I completed my Eagle Scout Project on the Manoa Cliffs Trail.  The faux wood and gravel steps and pathways at the first incline section (just past the big rock) were done by myself and a crew of friends and family way back in March 1995.

IMG_9015

IMG_9022
The "big rock"

IMG_9024
My Eagle Scout Project

IMG_9025

IMG_9027

Today was the first time I ventured past my Eagle project on the Manoa Cliffs trail. The trail, like every other trail on Tantalus, is constantly wet and very muddy.

IMG_9032

IMG_9017

Thankfully DLNR does a great job of maintaining these trails.

IMG_9035

The Manoa Cliffs trail contours the north face of Manoa Valley. I've frequented the
Kalawahine and Pauaoa Flats trails on the other side of Tantalus. Both Kalawahine and the Pauaoa Flats trails offer little views. The Manoa Cliffs Trail is the complete opposite. You are quickly rewarded with expansive views of the back of Manoa valley and the Ko`olau Summit.

IMG_9097
Ko`olau Summit - From Konahuanui to Awaawaloa
IMG_9127
Manoa Falls
IMG_9080
Konahuanui Summit
IMG_9058
Awaawaloa (Mt. Olympus) Summit
IMG_9070
Wiliwilinui Radio Tower and Summit
IMG_9064
Manoa Middle Ridge
IMG_9066
The "W" (also known as True Pali Notches / Donkey Kong), on the Pali Puka Ridge

There is a nice bench along the way to sit and take in the views.

IMG_9054

The Manoa Cliffs Trail junctions with the back of the Pu`u `Ōhi`a Trail. The Manoa Cliffs Trail continues on and eventually leads to the Pauaoa Flats Trail. I would be heading up the Pu`u `Ōhi`a trail to the top of Pu`u `Ōhi`a.

IMG_9137

IMG_9139

You pass through a gate and the trail continues up Pu`u `Ōhi`a through some think bamboo forest.

IMG_9134

IMG_9149

IMG_9142

After a couple hundred yards there is another gate, and you are at a building and tower and the end of the access road.

IMG_9147

IMG_9163

IMG_9169

IMG_9172

From the old tower the trail follows the access road to another taller tower, one that you can see from nearly everywhere along the southern O`ahu coast.

IMG_9175

IMG_9182

IMG_9216

Past the tower is a trail leading to the summit of Pu`u `Ōhi`a. From Pu`u `Ōhi`a there is an impressive panorama of Honolulu from Diamond Head and the southern spine of the Ko`olau all the way up the Ewa plain and the Wai`anae Mountain Range.

Manoa Cliffs Trail 02

IMG_9215

IMG_9214

IMG_9213

The Pu`u `Ōhi`a trail picks up again just off the side of the access road. The trail plunges down Pu`u `Ōhi`a back to Round Top Drive.

IMG_9179

IMG_9180

IMG_9181

IMG_9221
Pu`u `Ōhi`a trail head on Round Top Drive.
From the trail head its a mile walk along Round Top Drive to the Manoa Cliffs trail head.  Thankfully the car was still there and in one piece!

IMG_9018

Rest of the pictures here:

1 comment: