Ka'au Crater’s Ridge Hike

Took a hike on the Ka'au Crater’s Ridge trial. We were told there are three waterfalls on this hike and that you have to hike up one to continue on the trail; And we did just that.

Topher drove us to the "trail head" which is really just a little part in the bushes that has multiple signs that say private property. Topher reassured me those were just stating a fact and did not have any other meaning.

 Mouse over to change focus.

They sure do have strange rock formations around here. 

A lot of this trail actually follows a water pipe of some kind. 

We found a hatch! After we find the "Black Rock" we will return with dynamite to see what's inside. (That's a reference to the show Lost. Since that whole series was shot on this island, there will be many more references.)

This is the bottom of the first waterfall...

This is the top of that same waterfall...

And here is the whole thing. 

While on our hike Topher got a phone call and while waiting for him I got board. That is the only explanation I can give you for the following. 

I'm convinced trees here just don't understand what they are supposed to do or look like. 

Photographers... If they didn't care so much about their expensive cameras; I'm convinced we would have a lot fewer of them. (Of the actually photographers that is.)

Here is waterfall number two.

He looks like a little blue ant from up here. Well... an ant with only two legs... and also two arms... and looks a lot like a person... just small. 

I promise Topher's family, I'm doing everything I can. But he doesn't always listen well. 

This is the bottom of the third waterfall. When we first saw it we though it was just a little laid back waterfall. But what we found was a long hike up to the top of this lazy flow that seemed to go forever! It was really awesome to hike up. The next seven pictures are all just from the hike up this nonstop waterfall. 

We made it to a high enough point to really see the crater. 

Watch out for wildlife in the trees!

While Topher went for higher ground I wanted to check out the center of the crater. I found some very tall grass. This picture was taken at my eye level.

 And the brush just got thicker as it went down.

 In the center of this picture, toward the top of the trees, you can see Topher.

I found wild boar tracks! I have not seen one but I did heard one while on this hike. 

After I returned to the trail from my tall grass hike, I find this... It's Topher's bag with no Topher. So I yell Topher, no answer. I look around for a while, no Topher. I assume he was probably carried off by a wild boar. This makes me said because it means I missed a wild boar spotting.  

In search of the boar I head to higher ground. Sadly all I find is Topher, no boar.

I did also find a great view at the top. The buildings you see are the far east side of Honolulu. My apartment is just to the right, behind the mountain. 

I did not know they had crawdads here... now I do.

Just more crazy looking jungle.

Driving back home. We were just at the top of that mountain ridge.