slbrown

OK, there is much talk about the trail. But I really need to know some details. I've been reading everything I can find on the internet.

But what I REALLY need to know is: How truly dangerous is 7 1/2 mile, the exposed area? I have heard that you can jungle hike your way around that section with a little bushwacking and exploring. Is this true? But mainly I want to know if this is just a matter of fear of heights, or is it truly just very dangerous. We want to do this hike, but we are not going to do something that has a real chance of us dying5% chance of us falling or something.

Please tell me when you did the hike if you can help me. Many of the things I read, I can't tell when it happened and the condidtion of the trail changes.

Thanks!

sea_wahine

OK.. well i *am* afraid of precipitous heights, but really wanted to do this hike when i first went to kauai years ago.

I highly doubt that you can whack around the part you are talking about on the second half of this trail. I can tell you that pretty die-hard hiking friends of mine have warned that portions of this 2nd half kalalau hike can be narrow, dangerous and harrowing for the vertigo, sun exposure and fatigue.

That said..they also note that the valley at the end makes for a super prize to camp..as long as the weather is friendly.

I have done the first half of this trail on more than a few occasions and can reccommend it. Taking the 2 mile valley hike back to hanakapi'ai falls is amazing..also a bit on the technical side..especially if it has been raining recently (a few stream crossings and canyon wall scrambles on this hike). The roundtrip to the falls definately will give you that feeling that you have "done" something really active and off the beaten path (although i think it's a pretty popular hike, really). It can be (excuse me) a ball buster and you will enjoy every bit of luxury 10x more after it! Hope that helps.. Good luck, enjoy, be careful and watch not to step all over da old lookin' rocks around there.

sea_wahine

Oh...and i know it's probably obvious..but it would not be normal fun to try the full length as a one day hike. You really should plan to camp overnight if you want to do the whole trail. To do this, you need to apply for a (free, i think) permit. I don't know the details..but i bet someone else could chime in with info. You could keep walking past Hanakapi'ai beach and just play it by ear. The trail off the beach in either direction is upup up uppppp with switchback trails up the ridges which are all around forming the canyon. Make note when deciding how much day you have left for the backtrack.

slbrown

Just so you know, I have done the first two miles of the trail. And I would definitely be planning an overnight trip. In fact we are thinking of 3 nights in the value but would like to get there in one day.

Bons

I have done the entire trail 5 times. You do need a permit if you go past Hanakapi'ai. The assumption is if you are going past this point, you will be camping. There is a fee of $10 per person per night for the permit. You must plan ahead, they can be difficult to get depending on the time of year. That being said, I did a day hike to Hanakoa & out in 1 day last year without permit and as usual, did not see any ranger on the trail. As for the trail, all of it depends on the weather. If it is or has recently rained, the first 2 miles can be very muddy. Last year it rained off & on my entire hike. Some areas were very slippery. After Hanakoa, you start towards the drier side of the island and the trail is much drier. As for the trail itself, at mile 7 1/2, I believe that is the section where it cuts into a valley & the trail is very loose red dirt. I have been very lucky to have never done this part in the rain. I have always done this part in late June. It is a little scary. They used to have some chains up, but when I did it 2 years ago, the trail was in horrible shape. No visable maintenance had been done and there were no chains and the trail was very washed out. I was told by some hikers I talked with at Hanakoa, that the trail was totally washed out & not passable. I decided to continue on, & although conditions were not great, we did get through. There are several sections of the trail where those who have a fear of heights will have some issues. The last 2 years, the trail is also very overgrown in some sections. You need to be very careful with foot placement. Two people I was hiking with 2 years ago, slipped off the trail because they placed their foot in vegetation thinking solid ground was underneath and wasn't. One slid 10 feet down the side & I had to rescue her. That being said, it is my all time favorite hike and I can't wait to go again. Kalalau Valley is a special place and well worth the hike in. Sorry for the long post. If you need anymore info, let me know.

auntiemaria

...and cellphones don't work on the trail, so if you _do_ get into trouble, help could be a long time arriving.

slbrown

Bons,
Actually I have quite a bit more to ask you if you have done the trail 5 times.

When was your last time? In what seasons have you done the trail.
As for the scary part... is it just scary or is it truly dangerous? That's what I can't figure out from all my reading. in other words what if I were to go on hands and knees through this treacherous spot? I love adventure but I am not going to walk across something that leaves me with a solid chance of dying.
Your friends who slipped off the trail by stepping on vegetation thinking it was solid ground... was this in the exposed area at 7.5 mile mark that I have heard so much about?
Is the trail physically much more demanding than the first 2 miles? I have done the first 2 miles and it is very hard. I'm assuming it is just that it is a whole lot more and not so much that is it harder (the scary, cliff section notwithstanding).
Finally... how long did it take you to get to kalalau beach and how long did you stay? Does it get cold at night?

As you can see, i am grasping for information on this trail. I know I have to do it.

Thank you very much

Bons

I only hiked in to Hanakoa & out in 1 day last June. I was last in Kalalau in 6/04. I have always done the trail in June. As for scary vs dangerous, it can be both. I would be very concerned about trail conditions this year with all the rain they are having. I would recommend trying to contact someone in the parks department to check on trail conditions, especially the area you are worried about. That could be washed out now. I would also suggest hiking poles or at least using one of the bamboo poles usually available at the traihead. I hate hiking with them, but they were very useful in getting my friend back up on the trail when she slipped off and also for stream crossings. She did not slip in the exposed area, but a flat section. The trail is very narrow in parts, and was very overgrown in sections 2 years ago. She did not watch where she placed her foot and slid off the side of the trail. The trail does not "get harder" as you go along, but just the additional mileage, elevation changes as you go in & out of the valleys, and the heat of the day as you get to the more exposed parts of the trail can make for a long day. I have always tried to start by 7 am and it has taken me anywhere from 6 1/2 hours to 10 hours depending on conditions and companions. I have always stayed the 5 nights allowed by permit. It is not cold at night. I never take in long pants and have been fine with a lightweight fleece and rain coat. Again, if you have any other questions, let me know. Bons

trippinkpj

I did the two miles to the falls ten years ago. That was just over four months after foot surgery. Otherwise, I was in decent shape. It wasn't too difficult, although was a little slippery/ muddy in parts. That was in Feb., although wasn't as rainy as it has been this year. I'm 50ish now, and about 20 lbs. heavier than I was. I think I could still handle it, but I would take it easy and turn around if I didn't think I could handle it. Just my opinion.

StephCar

Just want to say I admire anyone who has done this hike!!! My DH and I have put it on our list of things to do before we die. It just sounds amazing. We have also done the first two miles of it and to the waterfall hike a few times. But it is not THE hike of ALL hikes. We saw the ending beach from a NaPali boat tour once. It looks like a dream. The payoff seems worth the effort. Of course we have chickened out 3x now, always finding excuses. Go for it slbrown, for all of us that will never do it but will always dream of it....!

LindainOhio

Have you considered hiking the Nu'alolo/Cliffs/Awa'awapuhi Trail? We did the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail in Feb. 2002; the day after we did the Nualolo/Awa'awapuhi Trail. We enjoyed the first 2 miles of the Kalalau but were not "wowed" like we were the day before. The view from Lola Vista at the end of the Nualolo takes your breath away. We waved to people on helicopters flying beneath us in the Nualolo Valley. It was our favorite all time hike. We did this hike on an absolutely clear day with dry conditions. The Cliffs Trail was actually pretty washed away and crossing that area was the only scary part. I would check on trail conditions with the rangers before hiking, especially if you are planning on visiting soon.

I know the Kalalau is ranked the #1 hike in Hawaii and I would love to try it. The first 2 miles are really crowded with hikers though. We only saw 6 other hikes the whole day when we hiked the Nualolo/Awa'awapuhi.

MinnieNo1

Is this the same trail that the first mile or so is all big rocks? If it is, it was a lot hard coming down than it was going up. Slippery in some places. Doable, but maybe I'm just getting too old for this to give a real opinion. Although I did see a couple with a small (3-4 month) old baby and the wife was carrying it in a sling on her front.

StephCar

LindainOhio--I couldn't agree more about the Nu'alolo/Cliffs/Awa'awapuhi trail and was just about to post that as an alternative. We have done this hike 2 times and each time have seen less than 5 people. And I also agree that the first vista is the best, even though the Blue Book says the 2nd one is better. And isn't it awesome seeing the helicopters below you? Great hike! Probably the best hike I will ever do, until I do the Kalalau that is . . .

philsbert1

If you are planning on doing this hike soon, and as someone who has done "just" the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail in the past two weeks, I would recommend speaking with rangers first. The conditions at present are nasty with much mud and slippery rocks.

Bons

Another vote for the Nualolo/Awa'awapuhi trail. I did that last year and the views are awesome. It is my favorite day hike on Kauai, but I agree about checking with the rangers. There is a cliff section similar to the one on the Kalalau trail, although much shorter on this hike and could be washed out. Even though I love this hike, I would still do the Kalalau anyday. It is not just the views from the trail, but the Kalalau Valley itself is spectacular. Bons

leecross

I have hiked the trail to Hanakoa 3 times (fractured ankle at mile 4 the 2nd time). I'm planning on hiking there again this summer and the information on the exposed part of the trail is welcome as I do have a problem with heights. How long is the narrow exposed section in terms of feet?

annalise2202

My friend and I are hiking the Kalalau trail in 2 weeks, both of us are deathly afraid of heights but we don't want to let that hold us back from making it out to the beach at the end. Someone mentioned there may be an alternate way around mile 7 climber's ledge... is that actually a possible option?

Appreciate any advice!

Inakauaidavidababy

This is a very old thread you've topped.

Do you haver permits and gear in order? I would note that last week a woman had to be hell rescued with life threatening dehydration/heat stroke, and I think that was in the first couple of miles in where you don't need permits. Anything beyond they are policing more lately. (per the Garden Island News) If any streams are running DO NOT CROSS even if it means being stranded for the night - unless KFD decides to airlift you out. Which comes full circle to being properly hydrated and bring enough water for emergency.

I don't recall reading many people if any on this forum that have done the full trail...Understand that over the years the end of the trail has become a bit of a shanty town which needs to be cleaned up every few months by the govt - your tax dollars