Ka'au Crater
Trail to Palikea
This is my favorite hike
on the island of O'ahu. It combines a walk along the Waimomao
Stream, then climbing up a long cascading waterfall, then finally a
steep ridge climb to the Palikea Summit. I will describe the
hike as a loop the way I like to complete it, but it can be done in
a variety of ways. The cache is a small lock & lock
located at about 2400 feet.
Start by parking at N 21
18.488, W 157 46.934. Be courteous to the residents of the
nearby houses and do not block any driveways. Walk up the
street until you reach the start of a driveway. There will be
a sign that says hike to the left. Head down the trail to the
stream below. Once you reach the stream turn right and begin
walking up the stream. You will eventually reach a black
pipe, at this point turn left and begin following the
trail.
|
Start of
Trail |
Black Pipe |
The pipe follows the
trail most of the way, so when in doubt stick with the black
pipe. You will have to cross the stream a number of times,
use caution because the rocks can be very slippery. When you
reach the stream crossing at N 21 18.914, W 157 46.711 the trail
across the stream to the right leads to the waterfall, to the left
heads up the switchback trail to the rim. For now we will be
heading up the falls, and loop around and come down the ridge
trail. Not to far after this point you will come to the first
geocache on the trail, it is
GCKAJQ - Half-way cache #1. After logging this you will
soon reach the first of three waterfalls. The first two you
will climb around with the help of cables, and the final you will
climb up the face of the waterfall.
Waterfall #1 |
Waterfall #2 |
At the top of the second
water fall is a memorial plaque for
Heidi
Marie Page. The third waterfall is actually a series of
about five waterfalls that need to be climbed. There are
cables all along the sides that make the climbing easier, use
caution because the rocks can be slippery when wet. Part of
the way up waterfall #3 you will find another cache,
GC1Q18K - A Small Step to Heaven.
Heidi Marie Page Memorial |
Coming up Waterfall #3 |
Once you reach the top
of waterfall #3 you will be at N 21 19.651, W 157 46.274.
Here you will head up to the right to head for the crater rim and
eventually the summit. The small little trail to the left is
where you will need to go on the return from the summit.
Continue up the ridge trail and you will reach a group of pines and
the next geocache,
GCF5F5 - The Ka'au Crater Boys & Girls. This is also
a great place to take a break and have some lunch.
|
Good place for a break |
That's where we are going |
After leaving the pine
trees the ridge climbing begins. It is about 30 minutes to
the summit from here, use caution because there are some very steep
and slippery areas. Use the cables when necessary and take
your time to be safe.
Coming down the ridge |
The steepest section |
Once you reach the
Palikea summit, enjoy the amazing views of the Ka'au Crater,
Honolulu, the Windward side and even the Waianae mountains.
The cache is within reach of the clearing at the summit. Just
reach under the large palm right behind you and make the
find. When you've enjoyed the views at the top enough
carefully head down the ridge. When you reach the first pool
of water, which is also the top of the waterfalls (this is the
junction you memorized on your way up) head across the stream and
follow the pink ribbons climbing up the ridge for a while.
You will eventually reach the top of this ridge and you will then
begin your decent. This will lead to to some switchbacks and
will then dump you off at a stream crossing. Start following
the pipe again and you will be back at your car in no
time.
Views from the
summit
Cache Hiding Place
|
Olomana, MCBH, the Mokes
|
Honolulu and Palolo Valley |
Waianae Mountains in the distance |
Congrats to Off-Roader on
being FTF