Tom Anderson and I simply didn't get enough hiking in on the Cowboy Flats backpack, so we decided to stay an extra day on Kauai to experience the most excellent Blue Hole adventure. I discovered this hike from a tourist brochure entitled "101 Things To Do On Kauai" (the trek is no longer listed in the brochure's newest edition). It described the hike as a trip to a supernatural cathedral (cylindrical canyon) a few hundred feet across and several thousand feet high located at the center of the island. Definately an exaggeration but not too far from reality.
After getting dropped off at the airport with the others, Tom picked up a Thrifty 4X4 rental vehicle. From Lihue airport, we drove to Walmart to resupply, then it was on to Kahili Mountain Park where we slept overnight in one of the cabinettes.
The next morning (Tuesday, July 17), Tom drove us toward Kapa'a. After crossing the Waialua River on a bridge, we took Kuamo'o Rd past the Keahua Arboretum and past the start of the Powerline Trail. Upon reaching a "T" in the road, we turned right and then, farther ahead, veered left at a fork. Because the rental vehicle had four-wheel-drive and good ground clearance, Tom proceeded straight (west, no more turns) all the way to a locked gate where we continued on foot at 8:20 am. A regular truck could probably make it as well, but it is certainly best to park a normal rental car about half a mile makai of the gate at the end of recent improvements to the dirt/gravel road.
From the gate, Tom and I headed mauka on the road for about half a mile until reaching the rushing waters of the Wailua River's north fork at a small dam (elev. 1,100 ft according to Tom's altimeter). We followed a trail on the right bank of the stream until it veered away from the river, gaining elevation in the process. Backtracking, Tom and I entered the stream bed wearing those black felt tabbis with the zipper. They provided excellent traction on the rocks and kept our feet comfortable. I don't remember the brand name of the footwear, but I highly recommend them.
About an hour later, the two of us arrived at a junction where the river splits. A beautiful cascade feeding the stream exists here, and we paused to swim near/under the falls. The left fork leads to another more powerful waterfall, which we visited on the way out. If you don't have enough time to reach the cathedral at the very end of the hike, or you are not an advanced hiker, it is still worth the effort to reach this junction.
Pressing on, Tom and I bypassed the cascade along with three more waterfalls via a narrow contour trail to the left of the river. Extreme caution is advised when bypassing the third of four waterfalls due to a small landslide. Retrace your steps to a spot where another trail climbs steeply but briefly to a point above the landslide.
After ascending to a locale above the fourth waterfall, Tom and I stopped to marvel at four high waterfalls flowing down the sheer, lightly vegetated green walls of the gorge, the walls now only a short distance beyond the opposite side of the stream. As we continued the hike, the stream/gorge began veering left (south), and we followed pink ribbons with black stripes on them on a distinct but muddy trail. Using a black cable, we dropped down to the bed of a tributary originating from the headwaters of Wailua's north fork, and, for the most part, tramped in the feeder to the terminus of the natural amphitheater/supernatural cathedral (approx. elev. 2,000 ft) located at the base of Mount Wai'ale'ale (the summit of Wai'ale'ale is approx. 5,121 ft), arriving there at 11:50 am (3.5 hours from the gate to end of hike). Unfortunately, a low cloud ceiling obscured the upper part of the 3,000 foot sheer pali.
Before eating lunch, we donned rain gear to stay dry (I should say "dryer" because we were already wet, having spent much time in the river) and warm from occasional passing rain showers. We consumed the midday meal above a bluish green pool containing guppies as tour helicopters entered and exited the region every few minutes. Once lunch was pau, Tom and I walked around to get a better look at the area. A massive landslide exists on one side of the canyon probably caused by the periodic chopper noise, and I snapped a photo of a lovely multi-veined cascade seeping through the wall below the main waterfall (more like a mist), which exhibited classic sheeting action.
At 1:30 pm, shivering from inactivity, the two of us commenced the return leg of the hike but forgot how we came in. As a result, we created a new corridor of disturbance through native vegetation (mainly ferns). I felt (and still feel) very badly about this. With plenty of time to spare (the brochure said the hike would take 5 hours one way), Tom and I paused frequently en route to the dam to take photos and memorize the incredible sights. At a spot in the river well makai of the junction where the stream splits, we turned around and looked toward Wai'ale'ale. The fog had lifted, revealing most of the 3,000 foot sheer pali, the four high waterfalls flowing down the walls, visible in the distance.
When we reached the dam at 6 pm, Tom enjoyed a refreshing dip in the nice pool fronting the dam (the north fork of the Wailua River has an abundance of nice pools). Later, in Kapa'a, the two of us dined on the all-you-can-eat selection at the former Sizzlers Restaurant.
Notes: Obviously, do not attempt this hike if heavy showers are visible up stream (danger of flash flood). Summer is the best time of year to do this trek because the weather is more predictable and the longest days of the year occur then.
A photo of Blue Hole can be found in a tour helicopter advertisement in the Aloha Airlines magazine.
BLUE HOLE
Length: (from locked gate) 10-mile round trip
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Suitable for: Expert
Location: Kaua'i: the headwaters of the north fork of the Wailua River
Highlights: Described as a supernatural cathedral, the Blue Hole is a cylindrical canyon a few hundred feet across and 3,000 feet high, located at the base of Mount Wai'ale'ale, one of the rainiest spots on earth at nearly 500 inches a year.
Trailhead Directions: From Lihu'e take Kuhio Hwy (Rte 56) north toward Kapa'a. Cross Wailua River on a bridge. At the next traffic light turn left on Kuamo'o Rd. (Rte 580 west). Pass the turnout for Opaeka'a Falls on the right. Pass the intersection with Kamalu Rd. (Rte 581). Reach Keahua Arboretum at the end of the paved road. Ford Keahua Stream. Pass the start of the Powerline Trail. Reach a "T" and turn right. At a fork turn left and proceed to a locked gate only if you have a 4X4 or truck (those with rental cars should park on the left at the end of the improved section of the dirt/gravel road - this adds half a mile (one way) to the hike).
Route Description: (from recommended rental car parking area) Proceed on foot to a locked gate. Walk around the locked gate to the left. Continue on the dirt/gravel road for about half a mile. Pass a ditch on the left. Reach a small dam at the beginning of the north fork of the Wailua River (elev. 1,100 ft).
== Paka
Author: Patrick Rorie <prorie@k12.hi.us>
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