Hiking the Kalalau Trail - Na Pali Coast

For our biggest hike we planned and did the Na Pali Coast, Kalalau Trail.  On a previous trip, we had done a hike with the girls to Hanakapi'ai Beach which is about 2 miles each way.  This time we decided we would like to hike as far as we could without a permit.  After hitting the beach, we headed inland on a tougher trail which was covered in jungle.  The way was tough and you could tell the average tourist didn't normally try this route.  We had to cross the stream 4 times, I gave up on the boulder hopping and after just about falling flat on my backside into the stream decided to slosh across walking in the shallows.

We did meet quite a few people on this trail unlike our one earlier in the week doing the Power Line.   Mostly couples and no children.  There was a all sorts of terrain, from red clay, to rocks to roots, to lava rock, to crumbling dirt.  We climbed up hill for 2 miles and were rewarded with an air conditioned (the breeze from the falls hitting the pool was a natural cooler) view of Hanakapi'ai Falls which fed the stream.   Very pretty.  It was like we hiked through Jurassic park to get there.

After a leisurely lunch we retraced our steps.   Although we had waited an extra day for our boots and the trail to dry, it started to rain on our way back.   The trail back from the falls was OK, but back from the beach to the trail head was very muddy and very slippery.   It was a lot slower going back.

This gave us a total of 8.5 miles for the day.   Our legs were sore, but it was fun - another day on Kauai, going somewhere we had never been before.

Kayaking the Hanalei

So my lovely trainer mentioned that getting in and out of the hammock does not count as exercise (course she has not seen my husband get in and out).  In keeping with our active vacation yesterday we kayaked the Hanalei river.  On past trips we have paddled the Wailua which includes a short hike to a water fall, but found that to be very touristy and too many people.  This trip took us up into the state ecological reserve. 

We could paddle as far inland until it was too shallow to paddle.  Steve even got out and walked over a couple of shallow areas to go even further.   Paddling up river was a workout as we had to constantly paddle against the strong current and winds.   We were rewarded with lots of birds, wild bamboo, growing bananas and turtles.   Yes, Steve, turtles count as wildlife.  All sizes and many of them sunning themselves on logs and branches floating in the water.

Then we paddle back downstream and out into Hanalei Bay.  Because the surf was flat, there not very many people at the beach.  We were able to find a secluded beach around the corner from the new St. Regis (formerly the Princeville Hotel) to have a leisurely lunch.   Then we went back out into the salt water and enjoyed the rolling waves and attempted to kayak surf the breakers.    What fun with such a buoyant kayak.

I was very sad to paddle back and give up my boat.   With the rolling waves I thought it was as nice as my hammock.  

When we got back we did the "map my kayak (run)" and figured we got a total of about 6 miles of paddling in.

Hiking in Hawaii

Those of you that know me, know that I would much more prefer to be outside then inside.  Exercising in a gym just doesn't do it for me.  So what a better place to be exercising than on the island of Kauai.   Steve and I decided it was time for a trip while children were all in school.   We spent the 1st  three days on the west side of the island at the Waimea Plantation Cottages.   These were original cottages used by the sugar cane workers.  They restored them with the original wooden floors, new paint, found vintage porcelain fixtures and island furniture.   

As we have been to Kauai many times over the last 14 years, we haven't spent much time on this side of the island except for a trip to Waimea canyon and Polehale Beach at the end of the road.   This time we planned for some hiking.   On our 2nd day here we did the Alakai Swamp.  We did about 6 miles because we didn't have enough food (hadn't gone grocery shopping yet).    There were miles and miles of board walk and gorgeous views of the Na Pali Coast as well as the canyon.    On our 3rd day we hike from the end of Polehale Beach, rock scrambling to a private cove for a picnic lunch.  This was only about 2 miles but the rock scrambling was tough and the warm air kept us sweating. 

Day 4 meant time to leave our lovely cottage and head up to the North side of the island where we normally stay.  We did a two mile walk run on the black sand beach before hoping in the car for a driving tour by all the old sugar cane factories.