Kipahulu Valley Slog

I visited Kipahulu Valley today.  The last two nights at my house have been stormy...lots of wind and rain.  Rather cozy in my little cabin but the watershed is raging, so no swimming today at the pools in Oheo Gulch.  As the pic shows, they're essentially rapids between roaring waterfalls.  Try a swim, get swept out to sea!

I hiked the Pipiwai trail mauka from the pools.  I have done this trail several times over the past 30 years or so.  It has some unusual features on it.  One of the first is this huge banyan tree.

Higher up, the trail goes through a large forest of bamboo.  It's neat to hear the bamboo clack when the wind is blowing.

Trekking through the bamboo forest.  Due to the abundant rain, the trail was in Russian Front mode for most of the way...that is, muddy as hell.  However, it's mostly well made, with many rock staircases and a large stretch of boardwalk through the bamboo...though not here...so if you don't mind getting wet, muddy, and sweaty, it's a go.

A closeup of the bamboo.

At the end of the trail lies the 400 foot cascade of Waimoku Falls, two miles and about 650 feet above the start of the hike.  Right after I left the falls the heavens opened up and I and other hikers had the privilege of being on the flat rock with the cow right overhead.

Farther down the trail lies this fine double fall, and there is another 200 foot high cascade below this one.  Also some large mango trees.  Altogether, an interesting, scenic, and unusual hike.  It helps to be staying in Hana so that upon finishing the trek you can quickly shed your grungy clothes, take a nice long shower, and have a cold beer.