iceeu2

Thank you, SeaUrchin....before we went I had hiked the trails in the Smokies and thought I was ready for the Kalaua.

Honestly, visormom, I would do it again, but not in the rainy conditions we did it in. It really is a lot of "climbing". And, if you are a shortie it can be difficult.

It seems you are as determined as I was...so.........go and have a great time.

visormom

thanks for the encouragement I2...no, I'm not short...just well rounded!!! But, alas, I would NEVER let this group down by not attempting it. I can't wait for my LONG trip report that includes the hike (probably not to the falls) AND the nude beach...hahahahahaha Is Billy Boy back yet????

iceeu2

Haven't heard from our friend billy....He is probably snorkeling or lazing around right now!

When is it you are going?

StephCar

Are you kidding me...Kauai has a nude beach and I did not know about it? Oh well. Just another reason to go back.

trippinkpj

I think you could skip the Kalalau trail and just do short walks. Walk around the town of Hanalei. Walk in the Kilauea lighthouse area and see the bird sanctuary. Take the short walk/ tour of the Fern Grotto after the nice boat ride. Walk around the nice beaches of the North Shore.

visormom

oh comeon now Trippin...do you actually think I could return March 18th and face the wrath of this board without having attempted the beginning 2 miles..geeez...i would be ashamed to say i did the Fern Grotto in lieu..but I truly appreciate your concern. I will pace myself...I know it's not going to be "the amazing race"..but I shall not be "the biggest loser" either!!! Heading out 3/10...Glory Glory...PS>>>>>for all you supporters, I just had lapband surgery and I've lost 38 lbs...62 to go..I'm sure I'll leave a couple more lbs. overlooking Na Pali...yippeeeee...skippyyyyy Rest assured...I will NOT be the one in a bikini.. YET!!!!!

trippinkpj

Sounds good Visormom. You will have fun, and I know you will do fine. Take it easy and enjoy every moment.

jamaltay

Go for it visormom. I am not going until the end of May. I am envious. If I went in March we could help each other over the two miles. Have a great trip and have a great trip report ready on your return.
8-)

SFImporter

I vote for dfarr's hike. We did this one on my only trip to Kauai and I still remember it as one of the best views I've ever seen anywhere. It's right up there with peering across the Grand Canyon. Beautiful!

We were also staying in Princeville and it's quite a drive to actually get to the start of the hike, but worth it.

We tried the other hike that everyone starts (where the road ends heading counter-clockwise from Princeville (sorry, I can't remember the name). It was much more crowded and definitely not as leisurely as the other hike. Although the beach near the start was really awesome. Just amazing water and sand - the kind of beach you dream about - and not too, too crowded.

I also remember another hike called out in the "blue bible" that touted the great number of birds there were to see. That there were, but it was more memorable for the weird guy who trailed us half-way through. It creeped me out big time. We thought we'd let him pass, but when we stopped, he stopped. When we walked faster, he walked faster. I was so relieved when we ran across a large family coming in the other direction. We high-tailed it back to our car as fast as we could.

Sorry to share that one bad memory. It was just such a freaky incident.

fraukie

Visormum: I believe the rules are: if flipflops, then lavaflow ( with cocktail umbrella & cherry!!), if 'proper shoes' then :water!
we did the trail on the most perfect DRY day, hardly any mud...don't think I would have enjoyed it as much had it just been raining.
we also attempted the swam trail dfarr mentioned, but it was cloudy/foggy so no views