6-26-2010: Mariner's Ridge to Kuli'ou'ou (State Trail)

Head north--- Thru hiking the Ko'olaus? ---Head south

***NOTICE: Mariner's Ridge is CLOSED and ENFORCED by KSBE. Do not attempt to hike the Mariner's Ridge Trail. Doing so will be trespassing and can be subject to action by KSBE.***

I would hike with the gang from Leslie's "O'ahu Hikers & Adventurers".  We were to go up Kaluanui, more commonly called Mariner's Ridge, cross over the Ko'olau summit ridge to Kuli'ou'ou Ridge, and descend it's state trail back down into Kuli'ou'ou Valley.  The hike up Mariner's Ridge is short, an hour, maybe an hour and a half.  For those wanting a quick hike, this is the route to go.  Unfortunately, as of writing this entry in 2017 (it only took me a little under 7 years to write this!) this trail has been shut down and barricaded by it's land owner "Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate" so hiking this quick and wonderful trail is no longer available to the general public.  It's too bad because from up here, the views down into Waimanalo town and the surrounding landscape are majestic.  Anywhere along the top of the Ko'olau Mountain Range are unlimited epic views as far as the eye can see.  But this trail was the quickest way one could access the summit ridge of the Ko'olaus and get that view.

Once we gained the summit, we were to head north along the summit ridge and hike towards the terminus of Kuli'ou'ou Ridge.  This is the topping out point of the state trail that begins at Kuli'ou'ou Valley.  On this day, it was going to be our exit.

Immediately to the left of the Mariner's Ridge terminus is a small scramble down into a small saddle that goes back up to a smaller peak and makes a hard left.

The trail here is dusty, and a lot of the rocks crumble into that fine dust, an all too common trait of all ancient Hawaiian volcanoes.

Not too farther was the pyramid that overlooks the Hahaione Valley on the Hawai'i Kai facing side of the mountains.  This is also the topping out point of the Hahaione Trail, another short but awesome trail to the top of the Ko'olaus.  From a distance, it can look a little intimidating, but ledges and holds are plentiful and it's not a cause for concern at all.

From here, the trail follows the crest of the Ko'olaus with the all too familiar ups and downs.  But the overall for the summit ridge is a gradual upward grade towards Kuli'ou'ou.  The vegetation is arid and windswept.  There are some spots with much needed shade but overall, you're going to be under the sun.  But wow, those views!

A little more than halfway there are two white power line supports so when you see these, you are getting close to Kuli'ou'ou!

It was around here where the clouds rolled in and provided with some much needed shade.  A short while later, we came upon the golden brown dirt of the terminus.  Time for some ono grindz!

From here, we descended the Kuli'ou'ou Trail, a trail that is part of the Na Ala Hele trail system for O'ahu.  After the switch backs, the hike concluded a nice little stroll on the Ko'olaus above Hawai'i Kai.

Mariner's Ridge to Kuli'ou'ou (GoPro POV)

1-21-2010: Kuliʻouʻou (State Trail) to Puʻu O Kona

Head north--- Thru hiking the Ko'olaus? ---Head south

This was one of the few hikes I've done solo, which I highly recommend not doing unless you are very familiar with your surroundings.  I wanted to check out Puʻu O Kona, which is located to the west of the Kuliʻouʻou terminus.  The leeward ridge that connects to Puʻu O Kona makes up the west wall of Kuliʻouʻou Valley.  This ridge is also commonly called West Kuliʻouʻou and begins at the very same road as the state trail.  Because of this, it's possible to combine the state and the west ridge to make a loop, which would be the case on this trek.

 

I started up the state trail a little before 10am and was on the top about an hour later.  The vog was in full force so visibility was reduced greatly and gave the vistas a mucky look.  Winds were virtually zero, which made for hot and muggy conditions.  After gazing at the views for a little bit, I turned westward (left) and proceeded along the Koʻolau summit ridge towards Puʻu O Kona.  This was one of my first hikes which would expose me to the big windward cliffs.  I was loving every moment of it.  Initially, the summit ridge drops downward to a low lying saddle before climbing up a small hill.  Further on, the trail crosses a severely eroded mountain side.  The path is barely holding on it's own and this hike took place almost 4 years ago since writing this entry in 2013.  I haven't been to this segment ever since so it's condition today is unknown to me.  Either way, be cautious in crossing this section.

Eventually one comes upon a view that makes for money shots if you're into the whole photography thing.  The Koʻolaus are angled in such a way where one can see the fluted cliffs all the way to Konahuanui.  It's truly a remarkable sight to see.  The trail drops slightly downward to another large eroded spot that marks the terminus of Bear Claw Ridge, which comes up from Waimanalo.  It is said that a plaque dedicated to my good friend Leslie Charles Merrell has been placed here in 2012 after he perished while only a few hundred feet from the top of this very spot.  If you decide to climb up Bear Claw Ridge, make sure to test all holds before putting all your weight on them.

Beyond is the large green hill of Pu'u O Kona.  The trail heading leeward should be easily discernible.  There are two rope sections on the steepest portion of Kuliʻouʻou west ridge.  Make sure to test all ropes before using them.  Further downward, the ridge becomes more level for a few miles before the trail makes a sharp left and heads down steeply to a water tank.  From the water tank, follow the paved road out and back to where the state trail begins.

This is a nice and rather short hike that circumnavigates Kuliʻouʻou Valley.  If you have done the state trail many times and want a nice extension beyond, give this hike a try.

Puʻu O Kona - via Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail