Wa'Ahili Ridge Hike

While we were in the Galapagos, we picked up a post-card in Post Office Bay addressed to someone in Honolulu. So, after the Grueler, we found the address, trekked up a steep driveway and knocked on a stranger's door. It was interesting at first as you could tell they wondered "why are these strangers knocking on our door and asking for our teenage daughter?" Then it became very cool. They were very nice people and offered us coffee, showed us the amazing view from their home, and told us of some very nice hikes. They really like Wa'ahili ridge near their home in Saint Louis Heights. We thought we would give it a try. 

So, after the Coconut 8K, we went home for a change of clothes and some food. We packed up some water and snacks and Missy and headed to Wa'ahili Recreation Area off the Saint Louis Heights Area of Honolulu. Nice little parking area at the trail head.

We had read about the trail and expected it to be smooth with one significant rock climb. Our new friends had told us their daughter goes up there for "walks" in the afternoon. We expected it to be like this most of the way. We knew about some roots, but didn't expect it to be rough.

Quickly, it turned into this with lots of roots and very uneven. It never smoothed out again. By the way, check out the Cook Pines. I love the way the trunks look.

 There is winding through trees. We had read not to take paths that jut off the main path.  At the power lines, we weren't sure the right route, we headed down a steep climb and came across a path .... we went left, it circled back to the power lines. I think it was probably the correct way to wind. But, we climbed down again and turned right.











The trail got rockier.









We met a few people going the other direction .... not much further (yeah, right). We knew there was a steep rock climb. We thought this was it. It wasn't. After a few more of these, we came across it. There was another good 30-45 minutes to the end of the trail we were told. The Musician was spent and decided to find a shady spot to rest while Missy and I headed on.







The trail got steeper and I was huffing and puffing. Missy did not have a problem.






We reached a clearing with spectacular views. We stopped for a minute, but the end of the trail wasn't far, so we didn't stay long.






We reached the end of the trail and had choices to make: Up, down, or turn around. The trail end was on a ledge and it was getting windy. We weren't geared for much longer and although I would like to see Mount Olympus one day, today was not it.

Here is the view off the edge of the end of the trail. Beautiful. A cloud was blowing in and it actually got chilly and a little rainy. That was short-lived, though.









Back to the clearing. Missy got some food and I ate some cherries. It was nice to sit with a wee little picnic. I wish the Musician had seen it.

The big rock area that we had to climb? You ask? Well, it didn't fit into one picture and this time I had to climb up and over.















No matter how tough the trail looked to me, Missy had no problems. We did pick up The Musician who was feeling very well rested and headed back down. Check out the Rainbow Eucalyptus.

It was a great hike. There were a few areas with lovely expansive views. Lots of shade. It's not really what I would call an easy trail because it is rough, rooty, and rocky. But, really awesome plants, like this tree.

I was definitely tired afterwards and rested well. Missy did too.

One day, if I can find a way to live there, I will plan for a full day and go to Mount Olympus. And another time, I will head down into the valley. It's a good work-out, but nice to be with Mother Nature.

Coconut 8K

How could I pass up a run in a grass skirt and coconut bra? I like the idea of fun races. This was the day after yesterday's grueler, so I wasn't sure How I would feel. Anyway, after finishing the grueler and eating food, we went to the swap meet to purchase an outfit and then to register for the race and pick up swag.

 The Musician wasn't super excited that we were getting up a second morning in a row at 5 AM. It is vacation afterall. But, it was another beautiful day on Oahu. Aren't they all? We got to Kaka'Ako State Park and I dressed up. I was happy to see that even some really really buff guys were able to chuckle about it and dressed up too.  

The 8K was 2 1/2 loops around the park and some of it was through grass. I just followed the crowd, but it was obvious as things spaced out during the second lap that we had short-cut some sections in the grass in the first lap. The cones were hard to spot and I acted like sheep and followed the leaders. It does make my pace look better on the official results page. The views were beautiful. 

I liked this bird with the funky hairsytle

During my second lap, I met a group of really nice women who seem to be as nutty as me. They had just arrived the day before on vacation and decided to sign up for a race. One of them was wearing a shirt from a race local to the San Antonio area. THEY ARE FROM SAN ANTONIO, TOO!!!!! They run with a different group, but I bet we can find a way to merge. AND, they are a military family. Small world, indeed.

My legs were shot from yesterday's race, so I didn't really feel great at any point during the run, but I finished and got my medal to prove it.

Just in case anyone was wondering, it's not easy to run in a grass skirt. It swishes and gets caught up a bit. And the coconut bra? Well, the strings to tie it on with do pull, and rub, and chafe the neck. I don't advise the outfit for a long run.

Camp Smith Grueler 5K

I know it's a little crazy, but I always check out races when I'm on vacation. It's a way to see things that are not on the tourist websites. I decided to sign up for the Camp Smith Grueler 5K. It was put on by the Marine Base and the marines always do a great job with races. Great support. Lots of fun. Why not? I didn't really think about what the name meant. I thought maybe it was someone's name, or something like that. I told a friend who works at Camp Smith I was doing the race, she chuckled and said "Are you running the hill?" What hill I asked. She said I would figure it out. Just so you know . . .when the Marines call a race a "grueler," they mean "grueling." 

Friday, I went to sign up for the race. Saturday morning, I dressed in blue camo, picked up my bib and T-shirt. I think I was number 107 signed up.  Four more people signed up after me. It was a beautiful morning. Took some pictures and heard the "safety briefing."  That's when I realized I should be worried. They reversed the route this year to make it more challenging.WHAT?!?!?!

After a mile running uphill, the trail started. What? I am too clumsy for trail runs. Mile 2 was all trail. I heard . . .and saw . . .the first finishers coming back down. They were pounding hard. I'll tell you what that means later. The trail was straight up. I would like to say the blurry picture is because I was moving so fast. Nope, my hands were trembling with fear about how I was going to finish this. I was already barely breathing. Yes, those are roots in the trail. Nope, I didn't trip and hurt myself.

I know you can't tell, but the run was on the
edge of a ridge-line.

 After 2 miles uphill, it was 1 mile down. Before the downhill, the base commander's wife was cheering us on with her golden retriever. Nice doggie. Like a 5-year-old, I had to stop to pet her. I was too bedraggled for a picture. Straight down. All those fast folks pounding, I don't know what was harder. Uphill gasping for air, or downhill trying to spare my aching knees . . .and praying I didn't fall flat on my face. That was a steep hill. The views from the top were spectacular.

I was so relieved to find myself back at the track for the final 100 meters. Yes, it was a grueler. Lesson learned.  It was really awesome to see how everyone stuck around and cheered on the final finisher. She was so happy to finish that she laid down after crossing. Big achievement for her. 

I suppose it all could have been worse. And, I will admit, it was a good way to start a Saturday morning on Oahu. My division was the second largest, so no surprise I didn't place. But I wasn't last either. The Marines were amazing as usual. Lots of guys and gals out there giving directions, playing some music, and just giving encouraging support. Would I do it again, yep, probably. Would I know what I was signing up for . . .absolutely.

I was not joking about the elevation . . .UP UP UP, and then DOWN!

Judd Trail

The Judd Trail is supposed to be a pretty easy trail on Oahu. Not a ridge hike by any means. Just a creek crossing and a loop. Last time we tried this, it was super muddy and we hadn't really read about what to expect. There are lots and lots and lots of offshoots, so for us ... easy to get lost.  This time we read ahead.

Cut-out entrance to Judd Trail ... nicely mark

We drove up the Pali and onto Nu'uanu Drive. We knew to look for the cut-out in the trees and found it. We pulled over and parked on a widened part of the road and slathered on the insect repellant. Totally necessary.




The trail is easily marked on packed pine needles. It's nicely shaded with the very tall Cook Pines which I find really beautiful and fascinating.They make an amazing canopy

After about 3-5 minutes, we heard the trickling water and came across the stream crossing. It can get slippery when wet.















After crossing the stream, the path splits. You can choose either direction, but we had read advice to follow right to go counterclockwise ... or was it left and go clockwise around the loop? I can't remember. It's a loop, so no matter what it all leads back to the same place. But, based on advice we had read, if you go one direction, right? left? the back-side of the loop can be confusing. We knew that heading left there was an offshoot trail that is longer and more complex...the Nu'uanu Pali Trail. We weren't gearing for that today ... just a short 2-mile loop. We went right and followed the stream. Still pretty easily marked. Along the way, there were some off-shoot trails that go down to the stream and the Ginger Pool, which is a common hang-out spot for locals. We decided to climb down and follow the stream a little while.









We came across beautiful small falls and pools. We had forgotten about Ginger Pool and didn't follow that far. We weren't interested in a strenuous hike today and we could tell we were getting further and further down the hill from the main trail above us. So, after a bit, we climbed back up and continued following the trail.

Up an offshoot back to path

Path not as clear here, but not so bad. Why did we miss it?

Same here? Why couldn't we find the path?

 Then it got a bit tricky. We obviously chose the wrong direction. We were talking and following the path ... and then we lost the path. So, this is what the guides meant about it being easy to wander off trail if you go right, instead of left. I should have paid more attention. So, we climbed up because we saw the path above us. Then we climbed down because we saw the path below us. Then we went straight until we hit a dead-end. Up. Down, Ahead. Repeat. Where is the danged, wide, easily-marked, path? Got out the trusty phone and checked MapMyRun ... there it is, we're not far? Why am I getting farther away? OK, turn around, still seem to be going the wrong direction. Obviously, I can't read a map. Sigh!!! Ultimately, the phone died. Uploaded MapMyRun App to the Musician's phone and we're in business. Found the path ... or at least a path. Oh, look, the sign to the off-shoot to the start of the Nu'uanu Pali Trail, we're not lost! Now, I hear the stream on the right? Did we pass the split and stream crossing? Yup, we did. We just cut the hypotenuse and are starting lap 2. Turn around and backtrack to the split and the stream crossing. The Musician thinks we didn't complete the hike because we didn't follow the full loop. I think we completed the hike, we just took a slightly different route to get back to the top of the loop. Voting? Who is right? Did we finish the loop? Or not? It doesn't really matter. It was a beautiful day. We saw these pretty flowers. I don't know what they are, but I like them.

Part 1 ... before my phone batter died

We found our way out