Dick Schmidt's Route to Tripler Ridge

Dick Schmidt's Route to Tripler Ridge

Posted to OHE on 3 December 2001 by Jason Sunada

On Monday, December 03, 2001, Jay Feldman wrote: "We had an excellent day on the trail. I understand why Thomas couldn't make it, but Jason was excuseless; he missed a great one."

Sunday, 2 Dec 2001: Ahhh...slept 'til 7:30 am! Would have had to be across Waipio Costco at that time for Kipapa trailclearing. Weather looks good. Very windy but no rain like yesterday. Maybe I should have gone Kipapa. Finally decide to look for Dick Schmidt's route in Moanalua valley between Twin Pine and Twin Pole ridges. I can even stop by afterwards to see how Kipapa went (and eat Mabel's desserts too!).

Leave home 10:00 am. Only one van parked at Moanalua valley park. Start in at 10:20 am. No one's at the park. Continue on the dirt road past the first stream crossing to marker 5. There's water flowing today. Just mauka of Tom's blue ribbon I hear chopping. Within seconds The Man himself appears. Dick's heading out but eagerly turns around to show me his trail. Up we go on a narrow trail through dense strawberry guava.

We turn left and descend to a trickling stream then head upstream about five minutes. Dick's recent machete and saw cuts show the way. I follow his ribbons of various colors, most made from plastic bags. Dick's legendary for his, uh, thriftiness. (As Dayle might say, with machete held high, "The King of Frugality.")

Takes a long time to get on the ridgeline, which is shady but has very few view spots unlike Twin Pole ridge. Join Tripler ridge around 1:15 pm at the mango tree makai of two sets of green 4-column transmission poles and mauka of wooden twin poles. Takes 20 minutes to the Twin Pines. Just before the pines the trail enters dense strawberry guava. When I glance up I'm startled by a baby pua'a propped in the trees just a few feet ahead. Kinda spooky when you're all alone.

I hurry by and continue mauka to the big eroded spot to rest and eat. Nice views all around, bright and sunny with gusty winds. Before heading back I try to contact the trailclearing gang on Kipapa. Dusty replies that he's heading out and that Dayle pushed for the summit. I ask if the trail is dry or muddy. He says some dry, some muddy sections. Damn! Maybe I should've joined them.

I start back at 2:05 pm, deciding to return the same way to familiarize myself with the new route. Stop to examine the pig again; it’s still soft. Continue makai and turn right across the mango tree and descend. Uphill something grayish white catches my eye through the trees. Soon it starts to move slowly and I realize its a hiker—a bird photographer carrying a huge tripod.

Turns out to be a guy just finished taking photos of a heiau. He has a big camera attached to a big, heavy tripod. His buddy is sitting next to the heiau eating and relaxing. They hike every couple weeks looking for heiau to photograph for a future book. I mention the "Sites of O'ahu" book by Sterling and Summers.

They note the recent clearing and new ribbons. I cautiously reply that a bunch of us were here last Sunday looking for a route up to the pine trees atop Tripler ridge. I say good-bye and rush out, reaching the road five minutes later. Reach the car by 4:00 pm. Fifteen minutes later I meet the Kipapa gang across Costco. Just in time for refreshments!

-Jason