Heleakala to Palikea – December 3, 2011

Heleakala to Palikea was a beast that I hardly care to document, but since other people asked about it I’ll write a few words about it…

We (Laura Carothers, Jennifer Liu, Baron Yamamoto, Joshua Serrano, Rosie Ho and I) started the trail at ~730am, near the residential area at the end of Helelua Street in Nanakuli. The hike to the top of Heleakala is short and has a mild uphill grade, with most of the vegetation being dry grasses and haole koa.

… within 30 minutes we were at the top, only to find out we were about to descend the ~ equivalent elevation we had ascended, to continue along the ridgeline.

Some of the trail requires scrambling, but there are several boulders which can climb if you, like myself, enjoy unnecessarily challenging yourself.

Panoramic view from Makaha to Palehua above, while in transit from Heleakala to the Waianae Summit.

Since there were several “false-peaks” along the ridgeline, photography stops and snacking were frequent.

Really though, this ridgeline was long…

…with some narrow portions, but nothing hair-raising at any point.

The series of mild elevation changes before the final ascent to summit.

As we got closer to the Waianae Summit, the elevation change increased significantly on a less-than apparent trail.

…and I’m not sure if it was this weed, but allergies were getting aggravated… whether it being itchy eyes and skin, or respiratory problems.

…but anyhow, the overgrown trail was at least shaded near the top, which was welcomed from several hours of hiking in the intense heat and direct sunlight.

After we reached the summit, we headed west along the Waianae Summit Trail for ~ 5 – 10 minutes to reach Palikea Summit… and upon arrival, there was an immediate celebratory boddingtons toast. Not quite 41 degrees F, but still cool and appreciated after a long journey to the summit.

…and the panoramic view from Palikea is not too bad either.

If you plan to hike from Heleakala to Palikea, make sure to bring at least a gallon of water and a bunch of compact high-calories snacks. It will be extremely hot, and obviously more-so during hotter / drier times of day / year. Much of the trail past Palikea is overgrown and not apparent… and despite being hotter, I’d suggest wearing long pants and packing long-sleeve dry-fit shirt for those overgrown sections. The hike to Heleakala is a fairly easy trail, though the hike to Palikea from here may be more intermediate-advanced… mostly because of the distance traveled over a vague trail and amount of scrambling required. To be honest, I’d recommend better spending your time on another Waianae hike rather than this one. Since I didn’t provide much details, feel free to ask more questions… and if you do decide to hike this one, GOOD LUCK and stay safe!!!

To see more photos from this adventure in a Photo Gallery, Click Here.To view this location on a Google Map also known as my “Adventure Map“, Click Here. For more adventures of the Lost Trailblazers, either look at my other blogposts and “Adventures with the Lost Trailblazers” photo gallery. Thanks for visiting and come back again soon!