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whitebark Member
Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 1864 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
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 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-Honolulu in distance Wa'ahila Ridge 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!
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
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
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
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! |
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bobbi
stillaGUAMish
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Wed Feb 08, 2012 4:09 pm
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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
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 Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
"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! |
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bobbi
stillaGUAMish
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Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:42 pm
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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
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 Member
Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 198 | TRs | Pics
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BaNosser
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Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:48 pm
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Cale Hoopes On Glissade...
Joined: 13 Oct 2009 Posts: 395 | TRs | Pics Location: Sammamish |
Getting sucked in by this was almost as funny as Angry Hiker's DirtyBox traverse (that he completed in TWO weekends).
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