GC1V00J Kolekole Pass - Puu Hapapa (Traditional Cache) in Hawaii, United States created by jsanner

This cache has been archived.

erik88l-r: As there's been no cache to find for months, I'm archiving it to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

GC1V00J ▼

A cache by jsanner Message this owner

Hidden : 6/21/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

"Steep Hike, Great Views" -Richard McMahon

Puu Hapapa is a fine, short (2.5 miles OW) outing in the Waianae Mountains that is rarely hiked, because of its out of the way location.

The trail head is on Schofield Barracks, it requires a visitor pass or vehicle with a military sticker, plus a photo ID, to enter the base. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE IN THE MILITARY TO GAIN ACCESS. at the Kunia (Foote Gate) say you are hiking the trail to the MP and they will give you a pass. the altitude gain along the hike is of 1,500 feet. There are sharp drop offs along the summit ridge, so it is not for children, pets, or those concerned about heights. the first part of the hike is appropriate for all, going as far as the meadow and then along the trail through the paper bark trees, turning around as desired.

The trailhead it reached after entering Schofield is along Foote Ave., bearing left on Kolekole Ave. Turn right at stoplight onto Humphreys Road, then left on Trimball Road. Continue to Kolekole Pass, stopping in the parking area on the left, just before the guard shack at the entry to Lualualei Naval Magazine. A large sign points to the path to Kolekole Pass Rock. (if U cross the street [behind you] that is the trailhead to Puu kalena. a very dangerous and long hike)

Park and follow the path, which leads uphill via some steep wooden steps to reach the rock.

The rock has a bowl-like depression on its top, with rivulets running down from it. the legends concerning the rock states that the rock was used for smashing the heads of criminals or enemies in time of war, the rivulets carrying the blood away. Continue past the rock, descending some steps and passing a large, fenced communications tower on the right. As the road forks past the tower, take the left, uphill fork. When the road forks again, go left, soon reaching a pretty meadow with a fine view of Lualualei and the Waianae coast.

The trail continues on the far left side of the meadow. Note: after the meadow, the trail becomes terrain rated 3 and above. it soon enters a grove of tall paper bark trees. The route now follows the Honouliuli Contour Trail, which extends from Kolekole Pass to Palehua Road above Makakilo

From here, it is important to follow these directions. After crossing a rocky streambed in a gully, the trail crosses a second gully. It has now left the paper barks behind, and the trees are mostly Christmasberry and some silk oak. The trail descends gradually along a spur ridge, and just where it crosses this ridge another fainter but visible trail goes right (look for yellow paint on the trees and a bunch of ribbons) and steeply uphill. There is a Christmasberry tree here, with a branch slightly overhanging the main trail. It should take about 30 minutes to reach this point from the trail head, minus any time spent at the rock.

The new trail is steep through the Christmasberry, and levels out somewhat on a grassy slope. then the fun begins... some 3 point contact climbing is involved. This hike ends at Hapapa, 2,883 feet high. when you reach the peak right before a fence planted on the ridge.

now for the cache.

coords should be in the right area of the end. but U may not need them.

if GPS fails... go a little past the peak and go down the small saddle formed by a previous landslide. go up the saddle and reach the fence.

...

nuf said...

the real hint? check the clue...

more info on the hike: (visit link)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

lbh unir gb ernpu gb tenfc gur pnpur, guebhtu n "ubyr" (gurer ner znal) . va nabgure ubyr haqre fbzr fznyy ebpxf naq gjvtf...

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)