Went up Manana yesterday (10/18 Sat) to stage water for next weekend's Kipapa to Manana adventure. By chance I met a friend, Nathan Yuen, at the trailhead. He hiked with me to the summit and filed the following report on the USENET newsgroup soc.culture.hawaii. Thanks, Nathan. Saved me a write-up.
BTW, for those who are interested in such things, the door to door time on the hike was 7 hours, 15 minutes (start at 8:15, out at 3:30).
For my hiking comrades, I left a gallon of H20 at the Manana summit and another half gallon at the helipad, which is approximately at the halfway point. Good luck finding these, Paka-lolo!!
--Dayle
---------- Begin forwarded message ---------- Date: 19 Oct 1997 21:05:01 GMT From: Nathan YuenNewsgroups: soc.culture.hawaii Subject: Ko'olau Summit From Manana
Hiked to the summit of the Ko'olaus for the very first time yesterday.
Having no hiking partner for the day, this Dayle-wannabe-in-training was
determined to increase his hiking stamina and acumen on the trail, and was
prepated to trek alone. But... guess who I serendipitously bumped into at
the beginning of the Manana Trail above Pacific Palisades in Pearl City?
None of the than Dayle Turner himself!
The Manana Trail is an ungraded trail that follows the contours of the
Manana Ridge. Reaching the Ko'olau Summit at an elevation of 2600 feet,
the trail starts-off at an elevation of 800 feet through lovely rolling
hills covered in uluhe ferns. Offering spectacular views of the Waianae
Mountains and the Central O'ahu, many beautiful and interesting plants grow
along the trail such as koa, sandalwood, and paperbark trees, and naupaka
kuahiwi, ko'oko'olau, and 'uki'uki grass.
After passing a little shelter along the trail and a helipad, the trail
becomes more challenging as saddleback ridges punctuate the ridge with
increasing frequency and difficulty requiring us to climb up-and-down them
over-and-over again. Climbing higher and higher into the moutains, ohia
lehua trees became common along the trail, some of which were covered with
the 'ie'ie and maile vines.
As we began to the last stretch leading to the summit of the Ko'olau's, we
reached several points along the trail with sheer drop-offs on either side
of the ridge.
When we finally reached the top of the Ko'olaus, a strong breeze greeted
us.
Given how cold it was at the summit, we ate our lunches quickly and began
the long tiresome trek back. I had a wonderful time hiking to the summit
of the Ko'olaus. With such beautiful scenery, challenging trail, and
wonderful company, one could not ask for very much more. A trek I am sure
to do again.
---------- End forwarded message ----------
Let me add to Nathan's narrative about our Saturday trek
to the summit of Manana--
We saw no one beyond on the trail beyond the junction with the trail that
goes down to Waimano Pool. That was surprising since it was an ideal day
for hiking--high overcast, nice breeze, no rain (well, we did get a little
near the end of the hike).
We did hear someone yell from Waimano Valley to the right as we were going
up. We also spotted what we thought were hikers on the Waimano Trail,
parts of which are clearly visible etched into the ridge across the
valley.
There are three or four rope sections on the trail although the ropes
there are mere conveniences rather than necessities. Nathan and I talked
about the Sierra Club policy of not allowing hikers on SC treks to use any
ropes/cables found on the trail.
I mistakenly told Nathan that Waihee Valley lay below the summit of
Manana. It's actually Ka'alaea Valley. Waihee is the next one over
toward Kaneohe.
When we finished the hike, we encountered a tribe of people hiking out
right by the water tank. An even bigger mob was kicked back on the
sidewalk at the end of Komo Mai Drive. All had undoubtedly gone to the
pool along the stream. They don't know what they missed. :-)
--Dayle
Reply From: "Dayle K. Turner" (turner@hawaii.edu)
Return to OHE top
| Return to Oahu Hike Tales |
Email Dayle