More Articles
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- June 2007
- April 2007
Part 1 – Backpacking the Kalalau Trail – Ke’e to Hanakapi’ai
Posted: September 17, 2008
I backpacked the historic Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast of Kauai with 14 friends from the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC) over the Labor Day weekend.
The Kalalau Trail is a 11-mile backpacking trek that starts and ends at sea level but which climbs and falls 2,400 feet in the process. We started our Kalalau backpacking adventure bright and early Saturday morning as we pushed off from the trailhead at Ke’e Beach and headed towards Hanakapi’ai.
Our first views of the azure waters of Ke’e Beach protected by fringing reefs were spectacular as we made our way through a grove of iron wood trees along the trail.
The first 2-mile portion of the trail from Ke’e Beach to Hanakapi’ai offers classic views of the Na Pali Coast through indigenous hala trees (Pandanus tectorius) as it climbs some 400 feet over uneven rocky terrain.
One of the more specatular sights along the trail were the red-orange blossoms of kokio ula (Hibiscus kokio subsp. saint johnianus) in bloom along the trail. These native hibiscus flowers are endemic to several valleys on the northwest coast of Kauai.
Not long after we started along the trail we began to see evidence of the fire that nearly derailed our backpacking plans. Ten days prior to our trip, an arsonist set fire to the Na Pali Coast State Park and the Kalalau Trail was closed by the State of Hawaii after dozens of hikers were stranded by the fire.
Many hala, ohia, and other trees were burned in the fire. Fortunately, the fire was limited to the ridge north of Hanakapi’ai Stream. Luckily for us, the fire did not damage the trail and the trail was reopened just four days before our trip.
The stream acted as a fire break and limited the extent of the fire. As we hopped from rock to rock to cross the stream, we noted that the other side of Hanakapi’ai stream escape the ravages of the fire.
While Hanakapi’ai Beach looks calm and inviting, it is known for a dangerous undertow that has drowned a number of unsuspecting hikers.
While we waited for our fellow backpackers to catch up to us at Hanakapiai, I explored the beach and found a profuse growth of pohinahina (Vitex rotundifolia) which has cute little blue-purple flowers.
Pohinahina is one of my favorite indigenous plants on the beach. In addition to its beautiful flowers its leaves emit a lovely fragrance. As we lingered on the beach, I could not resist crushing a few leaves in my hands to release the sweet aroma of its leaves.
Click here for the next segment of our Kalalau backpacking trip from Hanakapi’ai to Hanakoa.
–
SOURCES
Native Hawaiian Plants, University of Hawaii, Department of Botany
Hanakapi’ai Fire, Kauai Garden Isle News
Northwestern Kaua’i, Recreation Map, Earthwalk Press
Nice pictures, Nathan. Pat Rorie emailed this to me. Please let me know when your subsequent segments come out.
Hope you guys had fun at Kokee.
Aloha,
Larry
Aloha Nathan,
You did a great job. I liked all your pictures.
Please take care,
miyo
Aloha Nathan.
Great pictures! I am looking forward to seeing the rest of them. (Especially the monk seals.) It was nice to meet you. I had a great time, and was in great company on the Kalalau trail with all of you! Thanks again for an amazing week! see you all soon.
Jill