First Day on the Trail

We were up at 6:30 on Tuesday and ready to take on the trail. Again we were back to Safeway to get breakfast and lunch sandwiches, then off on the hour drive up through Hanelei Bay to the Nepali Coast to start the Kalalau Trail. The trail head parking was full, but we were at the lot nearby.

Things got off to a frantic start. In the rush to get on the trail and get going, I managed to leave my hiking boots in the trunk of the car, and after parking the car and walking to the trail head, had to walk back and get them.

Finally at 9:45 we set off onto the longest backpacking trip either of us had done. 

For the first 2 miles to the Hanakapi'ai Stream crossing, no permits are required. Anybody can hike to there and then hike up the stream to the Hanakapi'ai Falls. As our packs were close to 50lbs, it was evident that we weren't just there for the day, and we were moving slower than the day hikers. There were many people passing us commending us on our big hike and how amazing it would be to camp in such an idyllic setting. Some people wanted to chat, others took photos for us; all-in-all people on the trial were very nice. 

The first 2 miles to Hanakapi'ai stream had some amazing views back towards Ke'e beach and other great views down the Na Pali Coast. 

We got down to the Hanakapi'ai stream, took off our boots, put on our Keen's, and crossed getting up to about knee deep at the most. Most of the day hikers were not nearly as prepared and were trying to rock hop or go barefoot. We ran a trip across with our boots and another with our bags before most of them had even got across.

On the far side we stopped and had some lunch, enjoying the views of the surf, the last we were going to be at sea level until we made it to Kalalau.

 

Once we turned off the trail of the day hikers it was incredibly striking how we were all alone; no more crowds at all. There were the odd hiker or two going the other way, but the reduction in people was very enjoyable.

As we climbed up away from the coast, we started transiting across valley. It was amazing to set how every valley was different. Some lush with vegetation, some dry and thin, some windy off the ocean, some still and stifling.

Watching the surf from above was incredible.

We even saw the valley that has what we think is the opening fly into the island in Jurassic Park. It's hard to know on the trail without the movie, but we think it is.

We Made it to the 6 mile mark and to the Hanakoa campground in Hanakoa valley around 3pm. We Didn't know most of the camping etc was on the far side of the steam. We Did some exploring before setting up, a "local" gave us some good info on this site on the south side of the stream with easy access to water and not having to worry about crossing the stream first thing in the morning while setting out.

After getting all set up, we went on the half mile hike up to the Hanakoa Falls. We were told there was a pond to swim up there so we went in our swimming attire and in our Keen's. There were some sketchy portions of the trail that were slick and collapsing off the side. Thankfully we made it.

It is Incredible to be on a 400' waterfall pool and swimming. The water was quite cold so we could only last the 15 minutes or so that we had allotted before racing back down the trail before it got dark.

We made supper as it was getting quite dark, ate, and packed away for bed.

Our "local" friend informed us of the pigs that come around and that they were friendly. It was odd as we were packing up that we Could smell them but not see or hear them. They didn't seem to bother us or go though our stuff, even though you could smell them throughout the night here and there.