Hiking in Kauai
 

My husband and I (almost 30 #-O ) will be going to Hawaii in August :-d. We like to hike. The hike to Vernal Falls in Yosemite is probably the most strenuous hike we have done.

1) If we were able to do that, can we do the Hanakapi'ai Falls Trail? We are in ok shape...

2) What is the best hike in Waimea Canyon? The Waimea Canyon Vista and the Kukui Trail both sound neat but I don't think we can do both on the same trip.

3) We are using the book The Hikers Guide to the Hawaiian Islands. Is this a reliable book?

Thanks for your help!

Before I say this - this conversation never happened -

I found "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook -Kauai Revealed" to be superb for locating and describing hikes.

This message will hopefully self-destruct after you read it.

I will try to find the Kauai Revealed book. Great suggestion!

Anything else?

OK I'll bite JarredK

...just ask the two women that took the 'Opaeka'a Falls hike they'd read about in the Revealed Book. Oh you can't. It sure sounded like a trailblazing adventure until they both fell to their death...

Hopefully this message will not self destruct as the Revealed Books have been the demise of many a tourist.

IMHO of course!

Stick with your guide or other detailed "hiking" manuals like those of the Sierra Club. Happy Hiking

Hi Kerry,

We did the hike to Hanakapi'ai Falls. It is a gorgeous hike through jungle and the payoff is the wonderful waterfall and pool. Unlike the first two mile portion of Kalalau trail that gets you to the falls trailhead, the trail is not maintained, so be prepared to loose the trail at least once or twice. There was a fair amount of scrambling over rocks and slipping and sliding in the muck. The two mile hike took us about an hour and a half and it felt like it was twice that length. It was a long 4 mile roundtrip hike. We swam in the pool, but did not stand under the waterfalls as we were warned about the dangers of falling pieces of rock. Ouch!

Set out early. I think we were on the trail by 8am. Bring LOTS of water and food. We underestimated how long it would take us, so we did not bring enough water or food and by the time we got back we were pretty fatigued and dehydrated.

As far as strenousnous goes, the hike to Vernal Falls is not as strenuous, but it is hard to compare because they are completely different hikes.

Update on the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast....


http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2...ews/news03.txt

kealalani - I don't want to turn this thread into another debate about Kauai Revealed. Kerry - if you search this board under Kauai Revealed you will see plenty.

I will say that kealalani is correct and people have tragically died on some of the trails that are listed in the book. I also agree that the book should provide more warnings about some of the trails. With that said - these trails are also mentioned in SEVERAL other books and websites and most (including Kauai Revealed) do discuss how difficult and unmaintained it is. To blame this book, specifically, for these individual's deaths, I believe, is a stretch. People die all the time from scuba diving and just swimming in the beaches around Hawaii - should guidebooks delete any references to those activities?

BTW - on Kauai Revealed's website - they have indicated that the Opaekaa falls hike is now closed.

FYI - here's my previous trip report if you want some more info.

http://www.jarredandrachel.com/kauai.html

That is one hell of a trip report JK. Thanks for resharing it!