The other day, when we had lunch with Koloa Girl, Janet brought us several books. One is a great hiking book which we did not have " KAUAI TRAILS'.

Really well done with excellent directions and info on the treks. Even little icons, showing tennis shoes or boots, . distance, elevations, and hiking times.

Well, Erica reads about the Black Pipe, hauls out her map, and the UKG, as well as Kauai Tails.

We are off, hiking boots, and pack and water.

Traffic was pretty thin, but the turnouts for the various trail heads were full. One car pulled out as we arrived. a quick 180, and we were set.

The trail head parking is near the 14 mile mark.

We parked on the left side ( going up ) across the road from the Halemanu trail sign. There is a steep, steep road, that is for 4 WD vehicles, that most of us walk. We just make it part of the hike.

It leads to the Canyon Trail and down to a water fall. It also provides acess to the cliff and black pipe trail loop.

4 miles R/T, and I would say " moderate" in difficulty. We were glad we wore our hiking boots.

And had our maps and guides.

We were the only ones on this trail. Other hikers did what we had previously done a few times. Hiked down to the waterfall, with fab views of Waimea Canyon.

the trail is steep in sections, rocky, but also has steps sort of hewn out, and bolstered up. Pleasant hike, with lots of lushness, and some views.

We came to what appeared to be the end of the trail.

Two small logs ( fireplace size) were placed across the trial. usually means do not pass this way.

So we looked and only saw head high thick grass. The guide book said it was ginger. Anyway, we clomped thru the soft ground, and thick grass, that you could not see your feet.

Others had tromped some of it down, or at least it looked that way. Sure enough, the trail made itself evident, and we continued on.

Progressing there was koa, swamp mahogany , and plum trees.

We found a large area, that possibly the eyewall of Iniki had swept thru. Emense trees were ripped out of the ground, with their roots visible. Huge trees strewn and torn, and branches seperated laying all around us.

Mute testimony the power of a hurricane. If we are ever invited to a hurricane party, we are declining and finding security in our designated shelter.

The book said about two hours round trip, and that was very close. We did come to a road that was not on the map, but we knew we had to keep turning left to make the loop, and it worked out just fine.

Just a couple of observations and different thinking people.

A couple that we met on the way down, who were headed to the falls, (and by golly met up with them on the way back up ) as we regained halemanu road.

Anyway, they were young, and very friedly, wore hiking boots, and had their pack and water. They had read the guidebook, and did not try to drive their rental car down that steep road, even tho it was a 4WD something. They knew the insurance was void off road. They also commented that they had read about the black pipe , and other trails that might not be totally maintained and decided to stick to the canyon trail.

Personal responsibility for their actions and decisions. They were great .

Now we are back at the car, taking off our hiking boots, and slipping on our sandals. We are headed to the Waimea Brewery for lunch and refreshments.

Another vistor couple comes walking up, heading for the trail head, well, looking for it.

They asked where the trail head was, and how far it was to the waterfall.

He had on slippahs, she some new white guchi canvas shoes. Both had on new walking shorts, of some quality, no water, and very uncertain.

We told them it was about two miles down there, so round trip was about 4 miles. Rough guess. They mumbled something about the water fall.

We described the small falls, and that they were pretty, but it was not some magestic Niagra falls kind of experience.

Fortuantely, they stammered between each other, and turned back to their car. That was a good decision.

But, if we had not been there, with some info for them, they would have progressed down that trail with no clue.

So, please, do get informed and well prepared for going out into the wilds of the garden island.

At the car, I took our spare bottle of water, no shirt on, and poured it over my head, and upper body, to cool down and clean off the sweat.

Dried off with one of the spare towels in the trunk, and tossed on a t-shirt , and we were on our way.

Fun lunch at the Brewery, met a former Air Force vet, and chatted him up, since it was veterans day.

He now works for the DOD out at the base.

So, it was a pleasant day all round, and felt grand being out amoung mother nature.

Denny