Maunawili Falls

Maunawili Falls is listed as being an easy hike, so I thought it sounded like a great hike for the whole family. A leisurely stroll out to a small waterfall with deep, cool pools. Who could resist that? Well, the boys could, but I have to remind them there are other things in life besides video games. It’s a tough sell these days.

The trail starts off walking through mostly coffee and mountain apple trees, but I honestly don’t know what’s what. Just many shades of green, in even more shapes and sizes, and when we’d finally bust through a grove we’d have these great views of the cloud topped Ko'olaus Mountains.

The path was well worn, and mostly followed the creek up towards the falls.

Then we’d have to cross the creek which is always fun, but deciding which path to take once we got to the other side was never an easy decision. The trail is mostly unmarked so we just hoped we made the right choices.

Then more thick jungle followed by another stream to cross. We’re like Frogger crossing these boulders, only instead of watching for cars we had to watch for slippery rocks.

Or in Jewel’s case, someone to guard her goggles and sticks for her.

Jewel had no choice but to swing on her first natural tree swing.

She was made for this.Joey’s Field of Dreams

Oh look!….Another creek to cross!

but then the whole trail got a little twisted

AND THEN WE MET THE STAIRMASTER

Those stairs seemed to go on forever. Just when we thought we were done, around the bend would be another set of “stairs”. But we did finally make it to the top, and Jewel took a much deserved “breather” What gorgeous views we had walking across the ridge!

The waterfall is somewhere down inside this valley, right around in the middle of the picture is my best guess

At this point Jacob had taken off ahead and left the rest of us behind, including Jonas, who was struggling. It’s also at this point that we determine that this should be a breeze for a ten year old boy so the fact that he was having a hard time is worrying Joey and I a little. A few months ago he would have kept up with Jacob. After making it all the way up, we were surprised to have to now go back down. I wasn’t even sure we were going in the right direction, and not having Jacob with us starts making me pretty nervous. Who knows which way he went?! Is he on the right trail even? Not liking that! Then at the bottom we hit yet another creek and another trail, both leading in opposite directions. We decide to stay awhile for someone else to come along and hope they knew which way to go. I wasn’t happy to see it was straight up the creek, over the boulders. A little ways in though we found a trail, and we could hear kids laughing in the distance.

Then we saw all the kids, and Jake there waiting for us. Such a relief. But THIS is the waterfall??

I wasn’t expecting to be in this closed in little valley with one hundred foot rock walls on either side of us. I also wasn’t expecting so many kids!                                                                                                             Naturally, I wanted to jump but as you can see from this picture, it felt a little too much like Mystery Science Theatre to me. I wasn’t getting up there and having all the critics in the front row making fun, or the paparazzi snapping photos.                                                                                                                         

Here’s Jake patiently sitting and waiting his turn while the bigger kids jump off the walls from both sides. Most of the kids on the waterfall are just hanging out, or just jumping from there. You can’t see the ones that climb way up, until they’re plunging in the water. THAT was pretty cool to see.

Here’s a short little clip of Jonas from his jump off the walls, and his reaction afterwards.

We swam in the pool and watched everyone jump for about an hour then slowly started making our way backWe tried to stop and eat but the mosquitoes quickly started attacking us so we had to eat on the move

I knew to bring bug spray, but completely forgot. We all paid for that.

Going down is much easier, and it seems Jonas had caught his second wind. Or else tree branch jungle gyms are just too exciting to pass up no matter how exhausted you are.

On the way back I finally figured out it was easier to walk barefoot and simply walk through the creeks instead of trying to balance myself on the boulders with camera in one hand and Jewel’s collections in the other.

Occasionally we got a reprieve from the brown and green and saw some other colors, too

Overall, this was a great hike, one that I definitely want to do again, only the next time I will be sure to go while school is in session.

Kailua on Dwellable

Manoa Falls

I don’t think it’s any secret that I love to go on hikes. According to my family though, that is all I EVER want to do. Joey says that they’d probably go if I quit asking them all the time. But I know if I stopped asking them they would never  be like, Hey, Mom….Wanna go on a hike? …So I devised a plan. I asked Joey one night if he wanted to see a waterfall the next day. I assured him it can’t be that hard of a hike since I once did it with the kids when they were little, while carrying Jewel in a backpack. In the shape I’m in today, for me to be able to do that, would mean it was a super EASY, SHORT hike. So with that in mind, he agreed and the next morning I told the kids we were going out to see a waterfall, and with their Dad behind me, they were totally up for it.

There aren’t many waterfalls on Oahu, and Manoa Falls is definitely the most popular and easiest hike. To fully be present with the family, and because It’s heavy, I chose to leave my camera at home (but know full well I have my cell phone with me). I have to at least be able to capture the moment! (I got seventy four of them.) We passed eucalyptus trees before entering a lush rainforest, then quickly headed straight up the mountain. The kids realize at this point that we’re on a hike, not just going to see a waterfall. My plan worked…… They are on a hike and now loving it. 

My only problem now was they were moving too fast! Not only was it a climb UP, but it was very muddy. Not even half way up I was getting the look from Joey. The look of, “what did you get me into this time?!” I loved it. I love hiking over tree roots and heaving myself over large boulders, but could have done without the slippery mud.  Our normal pattern is to steadily hike to the location, and then take our time meandering, exploring, and picture taking on the way back down. After this hike I now see the problem with that…..it would have been a lot easier and a lot less guilt inducing on me if we had slowly made our way up hill with lots of breaks, and then quickly gone down the hill. Ehhhh…….the leg burn felt great.

And in only a mile we were at Manoa Falls. All one hundred and fifty feet of her. She lands into a small pool that’s filled with boulders and is prone to landslides and rockfalls so it is forbidden to go in.

Except for her, apparently. We came up on this woman as she was getting out of the pool, and claims to do it often, but said it was very scary that day and didn’t stay in long. Something about the boulders and visibility. 

April 2010

February 2003

 

That’s the boys on the rocks and me holding my baby Jewel over seven years ago. Not only have we changed but the waterfall sure looks a lot different, too!

Jewel washed the mud off her feet and shoes every chance she got. Some things don’t change, she still hates getting dirty. Going down was a lot easier, but it still wasn’t a stroll in the park  

This is the trail in the center of the picture. The plants on the left are actually on a near vertical wall starting right where you see them. One slip on this muddy trail and you’re dropping straight down.

Jake, not remembering our tradition of taking it slow on the way down, took off ahead of us and missed bath

and jungle gym time

Instead he waited in front of this large tree and then had to sit through a Japanese tour guide giving a fifteen minute spiel to his group, right in front of him, with him feeling like a tourist attraction at the Zoo.

You know the saying, It’s not about the destination, it’s the journey getting there? Manoa Falls definitely backs that up. It wouldn’t even have to have the falls at the end, I’d do that hike over and over, just for the scenery along the way. Just typing this post Jewel is asking me if we can go back here………. Our own Land of the Lost

Hanging Lake Trail

After our day in Rifle Falls State park, it set a chain reaction of more and even better days. We've already been up here about six weeks, which is about the average length we spend in one area, why should this time be any different? The weather's getting better and Joey's work weeks are getting shorter.

On the advice of the satellite installer we drove past Glenwood Springs into Glenwood Canyon to find the Hidden Lake. Jay told me it was pretty easy, so even though we got a late head start we'd still have plenty of time to make the hike before dark, while wearing flip flops.

Jay might not be the best judge of difficulty.

No, we were not properly prepared, and by the way, don't leave your water in the car.

The trailhead to Hidden Lake can be found at a rest area six miles East of Glenwood Springs, on I-70. It appears to be a typical rest area and unless you do some exploring you'd never even know it was there. We walked a ways down the 16 mile bike path that leads through the canyon, until we got to the trailhead. Jewel was already tired and wanting to be carried.


If you look close you can see I-70.


The trail starts at the creek, working it's way up the waterfall. Working it's way steeply up. Up boulders. Lots of boulders.

Notice Jewel in front of Joey with her walking stick? Suddenly she's not tired anymore.

The boys are loving the challenge and couldn't feel more alive, or ape like.


I'm usually falling behind, taking pictures and all, giving Joey plenty of time to test the water.


We hiked quite a ways up, crossing the creek several times,

attempted some rock climbing,

and soaked in the mountain air, but Joey had reached the limit that he felt he could safely get everybody out in case of an emergency, so we didn't make it all the way to the Hidden Lake. We will be back.

But first, we gotta go back down.


After coming back down we continued to walk around and enjoy the surroundings, and sometimes I'm lucky enough to capture the Joy.


Believe it or not, that's not all the pictures. Go ahead, check 'em out. They're even in a slideshow, just for you.

Hidden River on Dwellable