Kipapa in Aug 2005 and in Dec 2002

Subject: Kipapa yesterday
From: "Dayle K. Turner" <turner@HAWAII.EDU>
Posted to OHE: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 08:06:39 -1000

Did a long hike for the first time in a long time and survived. Good news.

A bunch of us showed up yesterday (Wed, 3 August 2005) to help work on the Kipapa Trail at the request of Nancy Hoffman from U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Let me see, who was there? My wife Jacque, Scott Villiger, Bart Mathias, John Hall, Bill Gorst, Charlotte Yamane, and Mike Fujita. We chatted about, among other things, some HTMC members' philosophical protests about working on Kipapa.

Had a chance to take my wife's Honda CRV off-road for the first time. Was cool driving up the dirt road to the trailhead from Ka Uka Blvd.

Before we shoved off to start work, Nancy told us that the first three miles of the trail were in good shape. The remainder had become overgrown and needed work. Plus, she wanted some of us to hike up to inspect a landslide that had swept over the trail near the summit.

We started up the trail at 9am. Jacque, Scott, Bart, and I said we would head for the top to check on the landslide. Bart eventually stayed back to work on the overgrown section. So, with Jacque as the ramrod, we were three bound for the summit.

Nancy was correct: the first three miles are in good shape. Never did ask who has been maintaining it. Whoever has been doing the work, good job.

After an hour of hiking, the going got slower because of the overgrown nature of the trail. Jacque, a real trooper, stayed in the lead even after I repeatedly offered to get in front to relieve her of the web-eating, bush-bashing role.

About 2.5 hours from the start, past the dry waterfall section and switchbacks beyond it, we came upon the landslide. It wasn't bad at all, and we determined that minimal work was needed to make the trail passable at that spot. In fact, the three of us had no trouble hiking over the washed out section. Jacque mentioned that there were other spots along the way that were more hazardous. Agreed.

We summited at noon. Beautifully clear conditions with strong, cold, gusting winds. I had been to Kipapa summit at least a half dozen times before, always in a whiteout, so having a view was special. To windward was green-green Waiahole Valley and blue-blue Kaneohe Bay. To the north was the Koolau Summit. We could easily see the KST etched into the crest heading off to Puu Kaaumakua.

To the south was the crest over toward Manana Ridge. I mentioned memories of the long, hard haul along the summit to Manana.

"So are we going today?" asked my wife.

"Uh, not today," I replied.

We spent a half hour eating lunch and resting. By 12:30, we were heading back down the trail.

Just before 2, we stopped for a five-minute rest break at a clearing/camp spot just below a small puu that F & W has cleared for a helipad. A mile mauka of the helipad, we saw large stands of Australian Tea trees felled in a ravine, no doubt the work of F & W.

Makai of the helipad, we began to see the clearing work of our crew. Though the trail hasn't been cleared "to-the-wall" it is now much clearer than when we began the day. Good work by the gang today.

Did note some small patches of palm grass along the trail. Gotta keep that stuff in check else Kipapa will turn into palm grass heaven like the Halawa Trail. Don't want that.

Jacque, Scott, and I reached the trucks just before 3:30. The sign at the trailhead says 6 miles. I question that. Kipapa might be as long as Waimano. Felt as long to me, anyway.

At the trailhead, the others were there waiting for us. On the drive out, we stopped at a locked gate and my wife took that opportunity to pet and feed grass to a couple of horses. Uneventful rest of the drive out to Ka Uka. Back at the original staging area, I talked to Mike about his job for Oahu Nature Tours. Had visions of opening a company called Intrepid Hikes Oahu and charging folks $1000 a head for a guided backpack of the KST. With a rumbling stomach, I came back to reality and visited the Costco snack bar with Jacque for the obligatory $1.50 hotdog and all-can-drink soda (diet Coke, of course).

Was a good day with my wife and friends in the mountains.

Mahalo ke Akua.

--dkt

Subject: Kipapa TM 12/8
From: "Dayle K. Turner" <turner@HAWAII.EDU>
Posted to OHE: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 21:34:07 -1000 

Today's HTMC TM was Kipapa, with an earlier than usual rendezvous time of 7:15 a.m.  We met by Waipio Costco and then jumped into four trucks for the 15-minute drive along dirt roads to the trailhead.  On hand to work were Nancy Hoffman (of the Fish and Wildlife), Charlotte Yamane, Gordon Muschek, John Hall, (veteran) Bill Gorst, Helene Sroat, Mike Algiers, Carmen Craig, Laura Owens, Tom Yoza, Ken Suzuki, Myra Dombrowski, Phil Booth, Dave Webb, Pat Rorie, Carole K. Moon, June Miyasato, Peter Kempf, Dusty Klein, Nathan Yuen, and Dayle Turner.  Mabel Kekina and Lynn Agena joined us afterward for refreshments.  Hope I didn't miss someone.

It was a wonderfully nippy day in the mountains;  so cool was it that I only drank a liter and half of water during the seven hours I was on the trail.  Others also reported less than usual H20 consumption because of the lower temps and brisk breezes.

It was also wonderfully clear at the summit, so much so that I enjoyed an unobstructed view from the top for the first time ever on Kipapa.  And I've been to the summit at least a half dozen times in the past.  Super views to windward included Pu'u o Kila (where the HTM hike was today),

Kanehoalani, Puu Ohulehule, Puu Manamana and Puu Piei.  Also easily visible was the KST heading over toward Waikane.  In the big bummer department, I forgot my camera in my car, so no pics from me.  : - (

Our primary mission, however, was not hiking and enjoying views; our mission was to clear the trail.  And we did that, concentrating on decimating stands of manuka (New Zealand tea plant) and guava.

I concentrated my efforts on several little projects, including hacking down some fairly large manuka trees to open up a view spot from a prominent corner/turn along the trail at about its two-thirds point.  I also rerouted one section to avoid a place where the trail went up and over a hump (very uncharacteristic on this contour route).

During the day, I had a chance to chat with several folks, either while working or while hiking along or during breaks.  Chatted with the great John Hall and heard him rehash one of his many intrepid backpacking adventures, this one a four-night trek to Hualalai and down to Pohakuloa on the Big Isle.  Also talked story with Nathan, who updated me on the goings-on with his calendar project (go see hawaiianforest.com to check it out). He said the calendars are selling well.  Also conversed with Myra, who reported some initial success with a low-carb Atkins diet she and her husband (Herman) are trying.

Knocked around a bit by wind gusts approaching 40 mph, I summited around 12:30 and sat down to eat lunch, first with Carmen, then with Myra, and later with Dave and Paka.  Began the return leg a bit after 1:00 and was back at the trailhead a little after 3:00.

The last of our group was back at just past 4:00 and once we were all out we boarded the four trucks for the return drive to our cars near Costco Waipio.  Mabel and Lynn were waiting for us, and we were served a little feast, which included some cake, spinach dip, Costco roast chicken, chips, soft drink, and soy beans.

Kipapa is now in superb condition.  We hope to schedule a club hike on this trail at some point in the future.  At present, a time frame is yet to be determined.

Next Sunday's (12/15) TM outing will be Waimalu Ditch.  Meeting time is 8 a.m. at the end of Onikiniki Street above Pearlridge.

Go HTMC!

--dkt