Kalihi Ice Pond (June 5, 2011)

With the recent heavy rains here on Oahu, the Lost Trailblazers decided to do a popular waterfall hike to Kalihi Ice Pond. I have only been to this location once before a couple of summer ago, however not after several inches of rainfall the day prior. Though being a stream biologist, I was surprised to how much the stream topography had changed from my prior visit. With respect to the residents of this area, I cannot publicize it’s exact location in this community, but you may be able to find more information about it elsewhere. If you do get to the point pictured, I strongly suggest you use felt-bottomed footwear if you decide to travel further upstream. Bring up your gear at your own risk as it will likely get wet.

The ponds here are described so since the temperature is often considerably less than standing water temperatures of other Hawaiian streams. The water does not have the opportunity to warm up from the sun, since much of the water here is either spring fed and there is dense riparian canopy. The first and second pools are also very deep and likely take much longer to increase in temperature throughout the day.

The Lost Trailblazer Girls at the top of the first falls (Naohia Falls). Please be careful if you climb up these as they are extremely slick. We used felt-bottomed tabis to safely hike further upstream. I strongly suggest you do no hike further, or on any other slippery rocks elsewhere, if you do not have felt-bottomed footwear.

There are basically two ways we went from the second to third pool; one was bouldering up the left side of the falls (pictured), and I also walked above and hopped over falls from rock on right (me not pictured).

The girls had a pretty easy time climbing the rocks, partly because of their experience at the Volcanic Rock Gym in Waipio and the mentoring from “Coach” David Chat on past hikes, haha.

The first and second pools are very deep and I didn’t touch bottom jumping into them. However, please use discretion as the pools are likely much more shallow on a typical day than when we went.

The Lost Trailblazer girls at the 3rd pool and falls.

Perfect place to have a boddingtons! Please exercise caution while consuming alcohol on trails. Alcohol can dehydrate you and affect your balance, as well as exhibit poor decision making.

Two places I jumped off from at the first pool. CAUTION: Please check the depth of the pool and the topography of the stream bed before jumping. There are often debris and boulders not visible from the surface, especially when the water is turbid.

For more adventures of the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery.