Kalalau Valley

Second to last day on our trip to Kalalau we decided to chill at the beach in the morning and catch some morning waves.  After breakfast and a mid morning lunch we decided to push off and explore Kalalau Valley.

Feeling energized from the ocean and breakfast we back tracked to the start of Kalalau Valley and headed inward and followed a trail.  We kept following a trail for about 45 mins and came across a few stream crossings while doing that.  After about an hour we were unsure of where we were in terms of finding "Big Pool".  We walked some more and after 15 minutes we ran into a person which I asked for directions for.  He kind of gave me the run around and kind of was spacey but after his directions we were headed in the right direction. 

In Kalalau Valley there are so many trails that are cut by people that it's really easy to get lost if you want to get somewhere (IE: Big pool or Davis Falls also known as Waimakemake Falls).  We walked through a few camp sites with no one there and it seemed like there were a lot of people living back there.  Even on Kalalau Beach there we at least a dozen or so individuals that actually were there for over a month.

When we finally reached "Big Pool" we hung out, swam in one of the deepest, bluest, fresh water pools I have ever swam in.  After we swam in the pool we layed on the black hot rocks to warm our bodies up.  After about an hour there we decided to make our way back to camp. 

We got back to camp around 4 ish and decided to wash up for dinner and have dinner on the beach.  We watched the sunset with everyone in our group and all shared our last few dehydrated food.  After the sunset we broke out the popcorn hot chocolate and hot tea.  Stars came out and it was a very gorgeous night to be laying there on the beach.  I know I'd wanna come back just for that.  We turned in early and decided to wake up and break down camp at 6 am. 

The next morning we all were packed up and ready to leave.  We met by the bathrooms for one last bathroom break before we'd make our way to Ke'e beach.  Good thing we left early because the famed "Red Hill" didn't have a single beam of light on it just yet.  We quickly made our way to Hanakoa with in mind that Keahi would leave us a note under the bench where he spent the night a few nights ago.  When we got to Hanakoa Keahi left me a note saying "Ryan Ke'e".  Which meant he made his way out to Ke'e beach and would wait for us there.  We took a break at Hanakoa to eat a really early lunch, rest and fill up our water bottles. 

After Hanakoa I felt as though I was gonna die!  The trail felt longer than ever with my 30+ lb pack and after 8 miles or so I was complaining!  I told my girlfriend that I just wanna be pushed off the cliff!  After my complaining we hit Hanakapi'ai beach where the ocean was so inviting.  Neal, Jason and I hit the water. 

In the shore break at Hanakapi'ai usually people don't dare swim in the waters.  There is actually a plaque put up for how many deaths had occured at the beach.  But the waves were smaller than the first day and really calm.  I took some video with my Gopro, look how clear the water is.  After half an hour in shore break we decided to make the last two miles to Ke'e beach.  Thank God those 12 miles were done! 

When we got to Ke'e we had arrived a little earlier than anticipated.  We had to wait a little for the cab to come and pick us up, so we swam and snorkeled at Ke'e Beach.  Around 4 the cab arrived and we said our farewells to the group.  Katie Jenny and I waited for Christian to pick us up because he was just getting off of work.  We called Keahi because we hadn't seen him at Ke'e beach and didn't know where he was.  Keahi actually hiked out the day we left him and was actually staying at a hotel with a couple of friends!  We went to pick him up and dropped him off at the airport. 

I decided to stay a few more days and spend some time with Katie exploring the island.  Stay tuned for that!

"Big Pool" chilling.

 Group photo in Kalalau Valley.

 I don't recommend those socks!

Looking back onto Kalalau Beach

 

Kauai 2013

After our Na Pali trek I decided to stick around a few days and explore a little of Kauai with Katie.  We stayed at her sisters house with her boyfriend and enjoyed our two days there. 

The day after we got out of Na Pali we decided to head down to the west side of the island.  Waimea Canyon and Koke'e were there.  I also wanted to go to glass beach near Port Allen and check out the place where Katie picks up her cool hats, Machine Machine.  We played tourist at Waimea checking out all the look outs, eating fresh juicy pineapple in the parking lot and driving up to Kalalau lookout.  We hiked a little ways down to get a better view but it was wet and soggy up there. 

After leaving Waimea we headed down the mountain and hit up Port Allen and glass beach.  We cruised there and looked for some glass from the ocean.  When I went there a few years ago there were way bigger pieces but I guess now that everyone is looking for ocean treasure now they are all gone.  We picked out a few small pieces and headed over to Machine Machine.  We didn't pick up anything even though I was eyeing out a few hats that I might have picked up.  Till next time. 

That night Christian Jenny's boyfriend asked if we wanted to eat sushi in Kapa'a.  I never ate sushi since Japan so I was craving it.  We drove down to a sushi bar called Kintaro's, boy it was delicious!

The next day we decided to check out some beaches up north.  Jenny knew a place where a monk seal was nursing it's baby.  We decided to go check that out.  We watched the monk seal for over an hour, it swam around cruised on the beach and ate some food.  After that we went to another secret beach up the coast and went snorkeling for shells and stuff.  No one was on the beach when we got in and it was quite a walk from the car.  About thirty minutes swimming around checking out the reef we ran into a black tip shark.  That was the first time I seen a shark snorkeling and the first time Katie has seen a shark in the water.  We were both kinda freaked out so we got outta the water.  We hit up Hanalei pier and a food truck as well. 

The last two days on Kauai were pretty chill and can't wait to do it again!

One of the lookouts on the road to Waimea Canyon.

Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

I was just down there a few days ago! 

Looking for glass at Glass Beach.

Found a few pieces.  Making sure there are some left for others is a good thing!

Checkin out North Shore zones

The pup monk seal swimming around while momma lies on the beach.

Feeding time.

Lots of these lying around on the secret beach. 

Hanalei Pier with waterfalls all up in the mountains

Hanalei poi! 

Hanakoa Valley to Kalalau Beach

I'm finally getting down and finishing up videos and photos from SPRING BREAK!  If you haven't seen my Japan stuff I just finished all the blogging and videos on it.  Look for it on this site. 

Hanakoa Valley was a little wet and buggy; staying in a forested area for the night we woke up quite early after a night of talking story, drinking and a camp fire.  We slowly packed up and said our farewells to Keahi who was going to spend one more night in Hanakoa and hike back the next day. 

We shoved off in set for Kalalau Beach which was another 6-7 miles away from Hanakoa Valley.  Our first obstacle a mile into the hike was known as crawlers ledge.  We saw two guys coming out of  valley literally crawling which spooked all of us and made us think this place was nuts when in reality it wasn't too bad.  On the ocean side we saw boats stopped and taking pictures near this area as well.  I guess they frequent this area a lot so if anyone falls into the ocean they might be able to save them.  After crawlers ledge we finally saw Kalalau beach. 

We hit eight mile where we were going to camp the first night, with the stream so close and a super nice view of the ocean the next time we do it that's where I plan to camp.  We slowly marched our way to Kalalau hitting a few more streams and some mild uphill sections.  We got to the Kalalau sign around 11, took our pictures and made our way down red hill.  We hit a really grassy meadow and chilled there for a few minutes.  It was a great break spot.  Still a mile to go with a 30 lb pack we were pretty beat. 

We crossed one last stream and made our way to the camp site.  We finally reached Lei, Jason, Sheri, Dave, and Neal around 12.  It was time for lunch and time to set up camp and relax!  We talked story on how beautiful Hanakoa falls is and shared a few pictures at lunch.  I set up my hammock and chilled in it for about an hour. 

The group decided to go exploring and not waste afternoon time.  Jodi, Jenny, Katie, and I decided to walk down to the beach and go to the cave at the far end of Kalalau beach.  On the way there we saw the waterfall where everyone gets their water to cook bathe and drink with.  We reached the cave and saw how deep it went.  It was a really wet cave.  We explored inside and poked around a bit.  There were waves about a foot to two feet in size right outside the cave where we tried to look for shells and I shot some gopro pictures. 

Before dinner we all showered enjoyed our first sunset from Kalalau beach and got ready to cook our meals.  The sun went down fast or what I thought was fast because I was so tired.  We drank, ate, talked story, and played some games around a camp fire before we all decided to turn in for the night. 

Waves were breaking at the end of Kalalau beach coming into a wedge forming some small barrels.  

A clean one as Jenny, Jody, and Katie watch from shore.

The next frame from the last pic. 

The last clip from the 30 photo burst from the Gopro Hero 3

Katie and I kissing under a rainbow at Kalalau beach.  Photo by: Jenny Ersbak

Kalalau trail... only a few more miles.

Twins at Kalalau!

Looking at the cliffs along Kalalau Valley.

Nice blue ocean with mountains and a grassy meadow to rest at. 

Katie leading the way to our campsite.

Enjoying the sunset at Kalalau beach.

These guys took a dip before dinner.

Just before sunset.

Kalalau beach at 4 am