Jeff Lubeck

Walking and Strolling on the Waimea River

Waimea River Walk

The Waimea River in Kauai is a treasure. An often under appreciated one.

Starting high in the Koke’e forest, near the Alaka’i Wilderness, the Waimea River flows down about 5,000 vertical feet in less that 20 miles to where it meets the Pacific Ocean. The Waimea Canyon is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific Ocean.

The last ruling chief of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, King Kaumualiʻi (1778-1784) resided in Waimea. His palace was located on the east side of the Waimea River at the mouth of the Pacific.

Captain James Cook of the British Navy was the first European to set land on the Hawaiian Islands in January 1778. The British landed a few hundred yard west of where the Waimea meets the Pacific Ocean.

The Waimea River Valley from one of Jeff’s Secret Spots

The Waimea River Meets The Pacific Ocean

From The Waimea River Sandbar Looking East

From The Waimea River Sandbar Looking West (the white trim of my house is visible on the right).

The Waimea River and The Pacific Ocean – It is a Complicated Relationship

The Waimea River and the Pacific Ocean co-exist in a tug of war type relationship. On the vast majority of days each party gets along nicely and the people get to utilize both with great joy. During periods of dry weather a large sandbar develops (over 100 yards in length) that almost closes off the river from the Pacific. As shown in the picture captured today, I can walk across the river with the water only a few inches high

However, there can be times the Pacific treats the Waimea River in a battering fashion. This situation occurs if there is any combination southern storms, King Tides and or high surf. The opposite can and does occur. During heavy rains in the mountains, the river can change its composition quickly and drastically.

I wrote a Post about the relationship called Capturing Kauai – The River Meets the Ocean [here]. The Post includes a description of the single greatest change in the flow of the Waimea (on record). I slept through the event (safely) in my house just a few hundred yards to the west.

Are you are wondering about the sandbar? In any of the events mentioned it can go away completely and the Waimea grows to 200+ feet in width.

Walking and Strolling on the Waimea

My walk on the banks of the Waimea River covers about 2 to 2.5 miles (one way). The best time for travel starts just before sunrise or late in the day (returning to the house just prior to sunset). The route is terrific for walking and or running.

On the trip you can experience a variety of sights and sounds.

Monkey-pod trees in flower

‘Auku‘u (Nighthawks) in flight

Hibiscus schizopetalus

Cattle Egret in flight

Vehicles Crossing the River

Horses Sunning on the River

Outrigger’s returning to their base on the river from the ocean

End of Day Light

Girl with a security guard on a swinging bridge

Up the River and Into the Valley

Over the distance of the route, the setting and scenery travelling up the river changes in a material manner. The town of Waimea is small (population 1,700). Waimea reflects old-school Hawaii and Kauai. Its small footprint is primarily a residential area. Waimea is occupied by working families and transplants who favor a local’s vibe. The residents can walk to the supermarket, bank, library, restaurant, coffee shop, school and church.

As you start up the river bank the homes are a mix of new and old. Almost all are tidy no matter the number of cars, trucks, boats, and other possessions on the property. A friendly wave is offered by residents and fellow walkers on passing.

At the one mile mark the setting becomes more rural. Many of the properties are horse oriented. Wildlife abounds. The properties are significantly less uniform. Natural beauty of the river valley begins to dominate the scene. Given the climate and topography, the setting feels exotic.

At about the two mile mark, a swinging bridge that crosses river and a monument to the Menehune Ditch set the scene. They are a reminder of Kauai’s long time nature of being individualistic and a Island Kingdom separate from the others. The properties and residences are highly varied. One can be a ramshackle followed by a huge home with estate like grounds. The common theme (as with most of the rural U.S.) possess reminders from residents. Their property is private and trespassing is discouraged through a variety of wordings.

In many parts of Kauai, people live up in the higher elevations of river valley off the grid. The Waimea River Valley is no exception.

Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia

The feelings I experience travelling up the Waimea River Valley are exactly the same as those heading down the East Fork of Salmon River Valley in Idaho. Both have been part of my life for a good period of time.

The settings are in a region of isolation from a large population center. The natural landscape is magical and keeps drawing me back.

The deeper the travel into these areas the more I see and experience residents who desire more independence and privacy. I fully understand these kinds of places can be a bit unsettling to those who are less familiar.

However, I am a person who chooses to live in the same region for many of the same reason’s. I make sure I honor that request at all times. In return I have experienced nothing but courtesy and respect. Funny how that works?

This week I walked the Waimea River Valley. Near the Swinging Bridge I noticed a man on the river bank heading out into the valley. I was greeted with a big smile and big dose of Aloha.

The man’s first name is Eddie. He was heading up the valley to see his mother. Eddie was born on Kauai, and lives in Waimea about four blocks from our house. Similar to others, he walks the beachfront and passes by our house most days. Friendly hello’s and a few words of gossip are exchanged each time. Over the years the inclusion of gifts have been added. Eddie often fishes from the beach in front of or near our house. So that can mean fresh fish for us. With Suzie our friendly exchanges result in fresh eggs for us. Suzy lives on the Waimea River about 3/4’s of a mile from town.

A Hop to the Top of Horton Peak

While hiking up to Horton Peak, as if out of nowhere, the lakes appear. They are surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Sawtooth mountains, blue skies, and green forest. The view can take your breath away.

From left to right, Alturas Lake, Pettit Lake, and Yellow Belly Lake.

Venturing up to the Summit of Horton Peak in the White Cloud range in Idaho never seems to disappoint. On this day in late July, the result will be no different. Accompanying me is my wife Linda, the dogs – Sage, Willow, and Paxton, and friends Dennis and Linda.

Horton Peak is the southernmost named mountain in the White Cloud’s. The hike to the summit is 2.7 miles in length and gains 2,780 vertical feet. The summit sits just below 10,000 feet elevation (9,900). A former United States Forest Service Fire Lookout sits on top. The views from the summit of Horton Peak are excellent.

The White Cloud Mountains from Horton Peak.

Horton Peak is located in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA), south of the town of Stanley and north of towns of Ketchum\Sun Valley. The trailhead is reached via Idaho State Highway 75, Valley Road and Forest Service Road 459.

I have travelled up Horton when the summit is arid\bone dry to covered in 15+ feet of snow and in a variety of weather conditions. However, my favorite time of year to hike Horton Peak is in the Fall.

My favorite Fall hike of Horton is described [here].

Map of hiking route to Horton Peak

My favorite photo (taken by me) of Horton is The Golden Path.

*** Jeff’s Thought’s and Other Worthless Trivia ***

The trail-bed is excellent. There is a wonderful combination of open space and shade on the hike. There is no real access to water while on the trail.

Once your done with the hike, head to the Smiley Creek Lodge (across the valley floor) on Idaho 75. Its an Old-School Idaho place that offers a friendly greeting and the Best Milkshakes in the World.

24 Hours of Fun at Goat Lake

Goat Lake in the Sawtooth Wilderness of Idaho possess water that appears to be shades of emerald and deep blue. Goat Lake offers superlative views of spectacular mountain peaks.

For most, reaching Goat Lake’s 8,220 ft elevation entails a 8.1 mile (round trip) hike that includes 1,650 ft of vertical gain. The last 3 tenths of a mile to the top of the falls, includes 600 vertical ft of gain on a loosely defined trail of scree and sand. Once reaching the falls, a short distance of boulder hopping and route finding occurs before crossing the creek and following the trail to the the lake. Towards reaching the falls it is best to try and stay as close to the falls and the creek. However, the approach varies greatly based on time of year, snow level, and level of water flow.

An extra 2 miles of travel (round trip) and 400 ft of vertical gain can be added to the trip. It provides a magnificent view of Goat Falls and the Goat Creek Basin from the Goat Falls Overlook.

If done together the entire route from the Iron Creek Trailhead with be 10.1 miles with 2,150 vertical ft of gain.

In the summer months, Goat Lake experiences a good deal of day hikers and some overnighters. The numbers of both drop somewhat during the week days. Early Fall is a fabulous time to visit Goat Lake with the number of travelers materially reduced.

For this photo-shoot I took a trip starting on the trail an hour prior to the light of day. After spending the night, I left the lake mid-morning. In short, I spent over 24 hours photographing Goat Lake.

I decided to capture my first images starting at the Goat Falls Overlook on the Alpine Way Trail.

The photo-shoot

Goat Falls at Dawn

At dawn the light on the rock walls is almost blindingly orange\red. The coloring as the sun rises above the horizon changes quickly. However the look is accurate and common for almost all of the Sawtooth’s at Dawn.

For perspective, I captured the image below from the same spot a few days earlier at Noon. The difference in light and color between Dawn and Noon is remarkable. The color of the rocks and the various shades of green are are a good example of how they look in early July at Noon.

Goat Creek crossing on Alpine Way Near Goat Falls Overlook.

The trail on the Alpine Way

The Alpine Way effectively acts as the border into the Sawtooth Wilderness from the Sawtooth National Forest. Count on working around on downed logs.

Indian Paintbrush

Williams Peak, The Goat Creek Basin, The Garbage Can and the Garbage Chute.

Fun in Winter

A fun winter-time adventure is to scale Williams Peak (10,636 ft.) or Thompson Peak (10,715 ft.), or the saddle in between them (10,020 ft.) and ski the Goat Creek Basin down through the Garbage Can. After a 900 vertical ft. ascent, you can continue the trip down. Your next task is skiing down the Garbage Chute into Goat Creek meadow.

Caltopo Backcountry relief maps indicate the Chute is about a 400 vertical of drop with much of the angle being 40-50+ degrees. There are a few spots that the maps suggest’s 60+ degrees.

A Post about The Garbage Chute is located [here].

The drop of the entire trip is about 4,600 vertical feet of skiing.

Note: The waterfall to the right of the Garbage Chute is pretty. However, it is not Goat Falls. Goat Falls is to the right and out of the picture.

Up the creek bed at the start of the sand|scree.

Approaching the top waterfalls on the sand|scree creek bed.

Looking down the creek bed from the waterfall and boulders.

My campsite at Goat Lake.

Civil End of Day.

Civil Start of Day.

* Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia *

Research & Map of Photo-shoot

If you want to hike to Goat Lake and are not familiar with it, I strongly encourage performing your own research and drawing you own conclusion on how it should be done.

The map I have provided should only be used for context as it relates to this Post, and not as a usable guide.

Campsite

If you noticed the dark clouds in the photo of my tent and campsite, you are a good observer. As happens often in the Idaho Mountains, late afternoon Thunderheads with not much rain came through just before dinner time.

However, a bigger event presented itself after dark. A violent windstorm barreled through the lake area for about 30-60 minutes. The wind was as intense as I have experienced in 45 years of backcountry travel. My tent held, bent and did not break. I was not harmed. However, the wind was so strong my tent at times would bend completely to one side collapsing onto me in my sleeping bag for anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds at a time. Then the tent would return to normal. It was roller-coaster ride I did not expect.

Walking and Strolling on the Waimea River