philfna
Jan 13, 06, 2:15 pm
As requested here is a trip report for Nu'alolo Trail / Nu'alolo Cliffs / Awa-'awapuhi Grand Loop. As the guidebook states this is a great hike, and it is but:
1. Very long 11 3/10th's miles longs
2. Very tough on the knees with 2000 feet of altitude change (1500 of which is in the last stretch)
3. Very muddy if it has rained, and the trail is washed out at times.
4. One small mistake in footing, and you are in for a long drop (3000 feet to the bottom)
5. 15 miles in from the beginning of Waimea Canyon Drive so its a great hike for if you are staying in the south. Driving from Princeville was a hike!
That being said it was THE HIGHLIGHT of our trip to Kaua'i. The trail is great because you never see the same thing twice its a loop so no backtracking like most hikes. The trail starts near Kok'e Lodge in the state park -- the entrance is about 1/4 mile BEFORE the lodge. I'd park the car at the lodge, and walk back. Also, at the little shack in between the lodge and the trailhead is a sign in sheet for hikers. I would highly recommend signing in and out. That way if something happens at least they know where to look. Daylight is a primary concern here. You need to start this no later than 10 am. It takes a good 5 hours. The trail is NOT good in many spots, and requires some agility. The trails you take in order are:
1. Nu'alolo Trail then to lolo vista
2. Nu'alolo Cliff trail back
3. to Awa-'puhi Trail back to the top of the mountain
The guidebook is a bit vague, and the trail at times disappears don't panic you'll make it through. Just be aware that a previous hikers show print might be the trail. That being said the entrance to the trail itself is poorly marked its to the left of the sign about 20 feet past the entrance the sign is on the ground and it literally is about 4 inches big.
We happened to go when the trail was wet, and it was not so good, but in the summer apparently it is quite a bit The first 1/3 of the trail is approximately down hill with some fluctuations up and down, the middle 1/3 is flat, and the return is all uphill.
The horse / pig trail. This is the good part of the trail! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155619/)
To be frank if you want you could do walk back on the Nu'alolo trail, and it might be safer than the Awa-awapuhi trail.
Here is a view of the vegetation at that altitude its surreal up here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155620/)
That being said the Lolo Vista Point, and the end of the Trails over the Na-Pali Coast are amazing. There is no way a helicopter can compete with the experience; you can't smell the nature, feel the power of the winds, or feel the adrenaline rush through your body knowing your a couple of thousand feet up and two inches away from a fall...
This is what I meant by one false step (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155623/)
Another view of the "trail" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155621/)
The Lolo Vista is where Harrison Ford had his hissy fit in 7 days and 6 nights. It is understandable why too.
The vista is ahead. The red earth at the top apparently is here Mr. Ford had his hissy fit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155624/)
The view from the Vista was amazing, and it is burned in my brain forever.
The Vista's View of Na'Pali (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155625/)
We also hiked over Wailua Falls (not the smartest idea our part) but we did it. Garden paradise is right. One last piece of advice -- get your food BEFORE you leave for Waimea and Na'Pali in Lihu'e because it was NOT cheap in Waimea.
Phil
1. Very long 11 3/10th's miles longs
2. Very tough on the knees with 2000 feet of altitude change (1500 of which is in the last stretch)
3. Very muddy if it has rained, and the trail is washed out at times.
4. One small mistake in footing, and you are in for a long drop (3000 feet to the bottom)
5. 15 miles in from the beginning of Waimea Canyon Drive so its a great hike for if you are staying in the south. Driving from Princeville was a hike!
That being said it was THE HIGHLIGHT of our trip to Kaua'i. The trail is great because you never see the same thing twice its a loop so no backtracking like most hikes. The trail starts near Kok'e Lodge in the state park -- the entrance is about 1/4 mile BEFORE the lodge. I'd park the car at the lodge, and walk back. Also, at the little shack in between the lodge and the trailhead is a sign in sheet for hikers. I would highly recommend signing in and out. That way if something happens at least they know where to look. Daylight is a primary concern here. You need to start this no later than 10 am. It takes a good 5 hours. The trail is NOT good in many spots, and requires some agility. The trails you take in order are:
1. Nu'alolo Trail then to lolo vista
2. Nu'alolo Cliff trail back
3. to Awa-'puhi Trail back to the top of the mountain
The guidebook is a bit vague, and the trail at times disappears don't panic you'll make it through. Just be aware that a previous hikers show print might be the trail. That being said the entrance to the trail itself is poorly marked its to the left of the sign about 20 feet past the entrance the sign is on the ground and it literally is about 4 inches big.
We happened to go when the trail was wet, and it was not so good, but in the summer apparently it is quite a bit The first 1/3 of the trail is approximately down hill with some fluctuations up and down, the middle 1/3 is flat, and the return is all uphill.
The horse / pig trail. This is the good part of the trail! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155619/)
To be frank if you want you could do walk back on the Nu'alolo trail, and it might be safer than the Awa-awapuhi trail.
Here is a view of the vegetation at that altitude its surreal up here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155620/)
That being said the Lolo Vista Point, and the end of the Trails over the Na-Pali Coast are amazing. There is no way a helicopter can compete with the experience; you can't smell the nature, feel the power of the winds, or feel the adrenaline rush through your body knowing your a couple of thousand feet up and two inches away from a fall...
This is what I meant by one false step (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155623/)
Another view of the "trail" (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155621/)
The Lolo Vista is where Harrison Ford had his hissy fit in 7 days and 6 nights. It is understandable why too.
The vista is ahead. The red earth at the top apparently is here Mr. Ford had his hissy fit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155624/)
The view from the Vista was amazing, and it is burned in my brain forever.
The Vista's View of Na'Pali (http://www.flickr.com/photos/46347708@N00/86155625/)
We also hiked over Wailua Falls (not the smartest idea our part) but we did it. Garden paradise is right. One last piece of advice -- get your food BEFORE you leave for Waimea and Na'Pali in Lihu'e because it was NOT cheap in Waimea.
Phil