Palikea to Pohakea Pass, Waianae Summit

Therefore today, we considered coming from the “Palikea direction” along the Waianae Summit Trail (WST).

Along the Waianae Summit, we found notably high concentrations of native plants and animals… that is, if you know what to look for and where to look for them. Here, Baron looks for Happy-face spiders under leaves of this native plant.

Native Hawaiian achantinellid snails are also often found on branches and leaves of native plants.

The sections of the Waianae Summit, south of the Pohakea pass, is fairly well kept. Note, the dense forest of Ohia Lehua (above, left).

Since it was fairly clear today, the view towards Honolulu was gorgeous…

…and view in the other direction was not too shabby as well.

Unfortunately, most of the trail along the ridgeline past Palikea was unkept…

…and several areas were heavily overgrown with Uluhe.

An opening in the overgrowth revealed the hellish ridgeline from Heleakala to ~Palikea Summit off in the distance. What a nightmare, WHO does that???

After pushing our way through and clearing a lot of the overgrowth, we had an amazing view of part of Waianae Valley and a clear view of Pohakea Pass.

Climbing down into the pass was extremely steep, and we did not have enough rope / webbing to make it to the bottom safely…

Consequently, I’m sad to report “Puu Kaua: 2 , Lost Trailblazers: 0.” The ridgeline on the opposite side of the pass looked fairly manageable all the way to Puu Kaua summit too… *sigh*

If planning to hike the Waianae Summit Trail to reach Puu Kaua from Palikea or the Kolekole Pass, prepare for a grinder of an adventure. We’ve reconn’ed and paved much of the way to reach the destination along the summit, but it will still be a challenge to reach, even for extreme hikers. Good luck!!!

See posts of success in reaching Puu Kaua (in the future, haha).

Puu Kaua to Puu Kanehoa

Puu Kaua to Pohakea Pass

More questions, just ask!

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!