Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mt. Olympus Winter Ascent 2.3.12
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whitebark
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Joined: 08 Jul 2005
Posts: 1864 | TRs | Pics
Location: Seattle
whitebark
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PostWed Feb 08, 2012 3:38 pm 
Not that Washington Mt. Olympus, silly...do you think I'm crazy? This Mt. Olympus is located at the head of Manoa Valley near Honolulu. The trail starts at the Wa'ahila Recreation Area, in a strangely Northwest-looking grove of planted Cook Pines.
Mt. Olympus trailhead
Mt. Olympus trailhead
Looks like the Northwest
Looks like the Northwest
The trail was easy at first, but typically for Hawaii trails, it turned nasty, making a rough up-an-down traverse right over the top of two lava knobs. Just when we were ready to chuck our copy of "The Hikers Guide to Oahu" over a cliff and turn back in disgust, the trail became quite a bit better. It made a steady ascent through thickets of strawberry guava along the spine of Wa'ahila Ridge. As we climbed, the views toward Honolulu and the surround Ko'olau Mountains steadily improved. A grassy knoll featured a grand vista and would make a nice turnaround spot for a short hike:
Wa'ahila Ridge
Wa'ahila Ridge
Wa'ahila Ridge
Wa'ahila Ridge
Wa'ahila Ridge-Honolulu in distance
Wa'ahila Ridge-Honolulu in distance
Wa'ahila Ridge
Wa'ahila Ridge
Wa'ahila Ridge-Olympus in distance
Wa'ahila Ridge-Olympus in distance
We continued on past Grassy Knoll Number 1 over a rough stretch of trail to the junction with the Kolowalu Trail, where there was a sign discouraging further travel on the ridge. Of course, we ignored it.
Turn Back Now!
Turn Back Now!
Indeed, the trail got much worse beyond this point, although it was plenty popular with hikers. One steep scramble up a dirt chute featured a rotten old rope to assist the ascent. The trail reached a second grassy knoll with a great view, then gentled again for awhile, making for a fun breezy romp along the ridgetop.
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Upper Wa'ahila Ridge
Finally we reached the base of Mt. Olympus at Grassy Knoll Number 3, a great spot to rest. The trail from here made a horrifyingly steep climb straight up an eroded chute. This would be miserable and dangerous to climb when wet...which is usually the case on the rainy summit of the Ko'olau Ridge.
Steep Trail near Mt. Olympus
Steep Trail near Mt. Olympus
Steep Trail near Mt. Olympus
Steep Trail near Mt. Olympus
Above the chute, the trail leveled out and we were soon atop Mt. Olympus. Wow, what a view! Well worth the effort. We could see the ocean on both sides of the island. Nearby loomed the towering summit of Konahuinui (look up the translation, it's earthy), the highest point on the Ko'olaus (but not Oahu- 4000' Ka'ala is higher).
Summit Vista
Summit Vista
Summit Vista
Summit Vista
The Hiker's Guide to Oahu describes this hike as 6 miles, and 1400' of gain. Easy sounding, but Hawaii trails are typically rough and slow. Highly recommended, at least in dry weather!

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bobbi
stillaGUAMish



Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics
Location: olympics!
bobbi
stillaGUAMish
PostWed Feb 08, 2012 4:09 pm 
mahalo..... awesome 'trip' report! thanks for sharing and enjoyed the trail descriptions!

bobbi ૐ "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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the Zachster
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Joined: 17 Jan 2007
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Location: dog training
the Zachster
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PostWed Feb 08, 2012 5:04 pm 
Gorgeous trip! up.gif cool.gif That chute looks like a real thrill going down... eek.gif

"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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bobbi
stillaGUAMish



Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 8012 | TRs | Pics
Location: olympics!
bobbi
stillaGUAMish
PostWed Feb 08, 2012 5:42 pm 
go down da chute on your 'okole

bobbi ૐ "Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!" - Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss
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BaNosser
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Joined: 04 Dec 2009
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BaNosser
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PostSat Feb 11, 2012 5:48 pm 

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Cale Hoopes
On Glissade...



Joined: 13 Oct 2009
Posts: 395 | TRs | Pics
Location: Sammamish
Cale Hoopes
On Glissade...
PostSat Feb 11, 2012 6:47 pm 
Getting sucked in by this was almost as funny as Angry Hiker's DirtyBox traverse (that he completed in TWO weekends).

Cale Hoopes caledh@gmail.com
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