Jeff Lubeck

Capturing Kauai: A Taste of the Forest – Kaluapuhi

The last four miles of Highway 550 on the island Kauai (MM16 to MM20) on the north and west side contain trailheads to 4 spectacular hikes onto ridgelines and valleys of the Na Pali Coast. Sitting about 500 feet below on the south and east side of the road is the Alakai Swamp. These sections get a great deal of attention from guide-books and are at the top of “Best” and “Must” lists for Kauai.

The section to the immediate south and east side of the road is known as Kaunuohua Ridge and Kanuamaa Flat. These sections look down upon the Alakai Swamp.

However, often lost in the conversation is the Kaluapuhi Trail. The trail sits a top the Kanuamaa Flat. It is a 2.4 mile out and back hike. I like this trail because it is a nice alternative to the longer and or more demanding hikes onto the Na Pali coast or the Alakai swamp.

Sugi trees

The hike provides great examples of the nature and makeup of the Koke’e Forest. There are groves of Sugi trees and stretches of ferns. The trail route is mostly covered by forest, that allows light to shine through.

The Sugi tree is officially known as Cryptomeria. It is the national tree of Japan and was introduced to Kauai in 1829 for forestry purposes. The Sugi grows to a hieght of about 80 feet on Kauai.

ferns

The trailhead is about a 1/4 mile from the Kalaulau Lookout. The first .7 miles heads south and reaches a junction. Head to the east and after .3 miles the Alakai Swamp appear below and on the horizon. Head to the west and after .5 miles the trail meets up with highway 550 .25 miles before Honopu trailhead.

The trail feels to be in a primeval forest.

Base of Sugi tree covered in moss.

Kaluapuhi Trail

Capturing Kauai: Onward to the Blue Hole

The title Blue Hole is used as the designation for a few places on Kauai. For most it represents a pool of water at the base of the crater of Mount Wai’ ale’ ale. The Blue Hole is about 3,000 feet below the summit. Mount Wai’ ale’ ale is arguably Kauai’s greatest treasure, and most sacred place to its residents. Its story is located [here].

The crossing of the North Fork of the Wailua River on the trail to the Blue Hole.

The trip to reach the Blue Hole is demanding as can be. Both the drive to the trail head and hike call for great strength and determination. In addition, it can only be accomplished with confidence, if you have the correct gear and vehicle. To add to the equation, weather is the biggest variable in the equation.

If the weather conditions are not good or better, your trip will be stopped at a gate miles away. I know, as I have been shut out three times prior. This is my first attempt knowing the gate is open. It is a reconnaissance trip. Therefore, I have asked my two four-legged associates (Sage and Willow) to join me.

I am hoping to reach the trail crossing of the Wailua River. If lucky, reaching the falls above. The last 1+ miles to the Blue Hole (I am told) is bad-ass nasty – even for the most serious and in-shape back country person. Therefore, I will hold off a bit.

The driving route up to the parking lot of the arboretum and the Kuilau trail is well known to me, Linda, and the Border Collies. The Kuilau Trail offers a stroll through some terrific scenery and settings. It is one of my favorite places on the island.

The trip to the Blue Hole trail head should not be taken by anyone who dislikes a seriously bumpy, rocky experience that includes multiple river fording’s.

The road crossing #1 of the Wailua River. The depth in the middle is to the bottom of the door of the truck.

River crossing #2 of the Wailua. It is a bit deeper than #1.

An example of the road condition for most of the route to the trail head.

One aspect of the drive in that reduces the stress level is there are no huge vertical drop offs on either side of the road.

Once on the trail, there is a crossing of the Wailua at 1/4 mile. This spot was my goal. The water level is fairly high (knee level) accompanied by a strong current. The crossing is located just above a waterfall. I determine I can cross safely, However, I establish quickly that the strength of the current would likely sweep the dogs down through the waterfall. Thus the advance ends.

Wai’ ale’ ale from the road.

The Wai’ ale’ ale crater during a rain storm in 2020.

So I have learned what I wanted to learn and look forward to my return and reaching The Blue Hole.

—- Jeff Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia —-

The image I captured of Wai’ ale’ ale’ from the road (above) may seem familiar to you. It is taken at the location used in the film Jurassic Park for the Jurassic World Entrance Gates and T. Rex Paddock. The gates are gone. However two poles mark where the gates existed.

Capturing Kauai: Fun, Thrilling, Demanding & Dangerous – The Miloli’i Ridge Trail

There will be no sugar coating travel on Miloli’i Trail, road, beach, and falls. The area is remarkable in every respect. For 99 44/100’s percent of the traveler’s to the island of Kauai the safest and best viewing experience of Miloli’i is from a boat on a Charter Tour. Next would be from a Charter Helicopter.

Miloli’i Beach on the Na Pali Coast.

The sunshine starts its day on Miloli’i Beach.

Note: Everything about travel on Kauai is affected by local weather conditions. Kauai is the King of Micro Climates. One location can be experiencing a 3 inch per hour downpour of rain, while another just a mile or two away is sunny. No kidding, I have experienced it first-hand.

However, If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle and seasoned back country driver, a trip to the end of the Trail Road is nothing short of thrilling. And, if you are an experienced, physically fit, off-trail scrambler and climber, the edges of the Miloli’i cliff on the Na Pali Coast are magical.

Willow (left) and Sage at the very end of Miloli’i Vista.

On this day, the weather conditions are almost ideal. Rain of a material nature has not occurred for a number of days. The temperatures are in the low 70’s at the start of the Trail Road (3,578 feet elevation). The weather is currently Partly Sunny. This means travel on the Trail Road for its entire 5.2 mile distance (one way) with a 2,000 foot vertical drop can be negotiated to completion in a straightforward approach. On this day, the condition of the travel route is as good as I have seen.

I chose to park the truck 3.2 miles into the route. This allows me to take in all the scenery on the remaining 2.0 miles and 1,250 vertical foot drop to the cliffs in a more casual fashion. This portion of the Trail Road is exceptionally steep, narrow, and with a high degree angle of banking.

This approach let’s me capture images of flowers.

On the trail, there are a number of markers and homages to people who have passed away.

PMRF operations on the Na Pali. In the background are Ni’ihau and Lehua islands.

— Jeff’s Thoughts and Other Worthless Trivia —

Travel on the ridge line to Miloli’i Vista can prove to be well worth the effort. However, it can also prove to be exceedingly dangerous and lead to death. The same can be said for the coastal waters, beach, and cliffs.

A local man died from a fall where I stood capturing images appearing in this Post.

A Helicopter was blown into the Miloli’i Cliff, killing 6 passengers and the company’s Senior Pilot.

A well known local educator and photographer fell 300 feet to his death while climbing the Miloli’i Cliff.

A couple of things I do to mitigate the risk: I always bring a hiking stick and wear hiking cleats on my boots. I mean always.

Capturing Kauai: A Taste of the Forest – Kaluapuhi

Capturing Kauai: Onward to the Blue Hole

Capturing Kauai: Fun, Thrilling, Demanding & Dangerous – The Miloli’i Ridge Trail

Recent Posts

Blogroll

Meta