Let me say right here this is only for the most experienced
hikers who have no fear of heights. This hike is for experts only.
You could fall down a long way and die!
That said, here is how to do it. Park at Swanzy Beach Park. Walk
north along the highway to Huamalani St. Turn there and follow the
road to its end. You will find a narrow path between the last to
houses. The house on the left has a rock wall on its right edge.
The trail is to the right of that rock wall. The trail will take
you into the valley. Take the SECOND trail on the left. It leads to
the first of the switchbacks that in time will take you to the
cache.
The trail has been cleared today July 24th 2005 and should stay
in pretty good shape for at least 6 months. As you look up from
Swanzy Beach Park it is the peak/ridge you see behind and above the
7-11 store. What looks like an impossable hike is not so. What
looks like the worst sections are really climbed on the back side
thru a series of switchbacks. You should check the listed web site
for pictures before you venture on this adventure.
I must say that this year the hike was not as spooky as it was
last year. Perhaps because I knew what was coming. I would not do
this in the winter (read rainy season) to avoid mud and wet rocks.
The trail should be ribboned with pink ribbons.
After you reach the high peak with the cable the trail levels
off and skirts the bottom of a series of rock faces. There is
plenty of vegitation to hold on to most of this hike. Since the
hike is so tough I did not make much effort to hide the cache. It
is on the ground under the branch of a tree. I'll have a picture up
soon. Right now it is in a film camera as I did not have my digital
with me. It will take a week or so to finish the roll and get it
developed.
Since you came this far, Why not go for another cache? Cross the
water fall, above it, follow faint trail across the stream, there
are pink ribbons. You will find a ridge coming down to the stream
go right a little way and watch for ribbons. Follow this ridge,
trail is ribboned but not cleared, until it tops out on the Pu`u
Manamana Ridge. At this point turn left and follow a wide open
trail to its end at a little clearing. There you will find a good
spot to rest, a Bench Mark, and 1 Reference Point, and the Where
Did The Easter Bunny Chicken Out cache. After resting back track
about 30 feet and you'll see a clear trail off to your left. Follow
it all the way down, very steep, but w/lots of hand holds to Trout
Farm Road. There you will find the car you left if you planned this
right.
For more information about this hike check the following web
site. It is from my first adventure up there last year.
You
Have To Be Crazy Like Me!
You are looking for a small green and black sprayed cylindrical
container about 3 ½ inches tall and about 3 ½ inches in diameter.
It contains a log sheet and:
1-A little green football quarterback.
2-A Harley-Davidson key ring
3-Two coins from Singapore