Monday, April 18

We woke up early, ready for a hike on the Nu'alolo Trail to view the rainforest and the coast/ views. A long hike -9 miles- but purported to be well worth  it. After a quick breakfast , we were on the road by 7:30 AM and up to Waimaea Canyon by 8:15 AM-- and we did get a great view of the Canyon- a beautiful morning:

Next stop the parking lot of the Koke'e Lodge, and the head of the Na'alolo Trail. We were ready to set off at  9 AM - and off we went - in a fine drizzle

We were off to the Na'alolo Cliff Trail- then along the Cliff  Trail, then back to the road via the Awa-'awapuhi Grand Loop Trail -ready for those great views.  The total milage for today-  9 miles. Total vertical feet - 2000 ( 2000 down, then 2000 up ).  This was a great idea, except that it kept raining. We had hopes that it would get better, but...
We again got to know mud and slippery trails better than we really wanted:

 We did see some really beautiful flowers today -

So we went on in the rain- which did not get better, it got more persistent. The first 3 mile leg was entirely downhill to the ridge---very slippery and wet, with the water running like a stream down the middle of the path. We got a little wet, then wetter, then totally wet- hiking boots, hats, rain jackets, etc-- soaked does not adequately describe it - so here are few more photos of the trail etc. Wish we could give you photos of the view- but there was no view for us! The View Gods must not like us. Fortunately- the rainforrest ( this has a whole new meaning now) was really pretty, and though wet, we were never cold.

When we got to the ridge trail-for 2 + miles, and we found the following -- not sure what there was to do except forge ahead at that point- no way was I going back -

The rainforest fortunately provides convenient hand washing statioins, so that you can wash the mud off of your hands after a slide down the trail:

One of our better views towards the Pacific Ocean:

I guess that if you go where it rains over 450 inches /year, you have to expect a little rain!
On the ridge trail, we had a leader for quite a while:

We were treated to a real waterfall ( to be differentiated from the water falling from the sky:

Had moment when Deb slipped, but fortunately had hold of both Neal and a root, and was able to pull herself back onto trail without going into the valley ( sorry, no photo of this as I was too busy pulling myself back up). Neal managed to conk his head on a tree and then slip and fall. We decieded that this is a trail to do with a partner- not alone. I thanked Neal for holding on to me- he says it beat trying to bring me up out of the valley!

Then we found an obstacle to our progress - and decided to go above the tree to get around, rather than below it and chance slipping down the slope. Clearly it worked, as here we are talking about it:

Shortly thereafter we started the trek on the Awa-awapuhi Trail that took us back up to the road- another 3 miles. It was uphill all the way, but more gentle than our downward trip earlier and on more firm footing- but by then it was really,really raining hard, and we just did not get the camera out until the very end. We met a very nice man at the end ( who was just out for a few minutes) and he took our photo and also drove us from the trailhead back to our car in the parking lot about 1.5 mi away, for which we were very,very appreciative.
So, we ended wet but happy -

 So, back to our home base to take off wet everything- do another laundry - dry out our money, wallets, hiking boots ( not sure how long this will take), rain coats, etc, etc.. Had a great dinner and now looking forward to bed. I expect that we will sleep very well after all of that hiking.  Looking forward to tomorrow- not sure what we will be doing, will wait and see what the weather is - if raining- no hiking !
Love to all- Deb and Neal