Kuli`ou`ou Ridge - April 21, 2012

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Solo hike up Kuli`ou`ou Ridge. This trail was a easier than I expected, harder than Mariner's Ridge but easier than Hawai`i Loa Ridge. I got lucky when I drove up, a car was just pulling out of the last parking spot at the end of the road! I had front row parking!

The trail follows a BWS road for a few yards before heading to the right and up the ridge.

The ridge trail veers off to the right of the valley trail and ascends on a series of gentle switch backs.

The trails is initially rocky and dusty before switching to the needle pines typical on many trails.

The trail gains the ridge and passes some great campsites on the way to the shelter and picnic tables about two-thirds of the way to the top. It took me about an hour to get to the shelter.

At the shelter a couple hikers passed me and one mentioned that the "fun" part begins after the shelter. I was expecting a grueling trail of steps like Hawaii Loa or Wiliwilinui. The trail after the shelter is steeper and there are steps, but the final push to the summit is relatively easy.

When the trail levels out you're almost pau!

The view from the top is breathtaking.

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From the summit I could see people at the top of Koko Crater.

I didn't see anyone at the Mariner's Ridge summit.

I hung out at the summit to make another timelapse video before heading down the way I came.

GPX here:

Rest of the pictures here: