National Trails Day 2010
National Trails Day 2010 is Saturday June 5, 2010. It is a celebration that brings awareness to trails and recognizes many people for their support and hard work, including volunteers, land agencies, and outdoor minded businesses. It is also a day to introduce people to the many joys and benefits of trails. With 200,000 miles of trails in America, we have access to the natural world for recreation, education, exploration, solitude, inspiration, and good physical and mental health.
National Trails Day evolved from President Ronald Reagan’s Commission on Americans Outdoors. In 1987, the report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. This recommendation became the impetus behind several parties joining American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day in 1993.
It takes many hours of planning, labor, and negotiating to develop trails, and there are many groups involved to thank: American Hiking Society, Nature Valley, Backpacker magazine, Fetzer Vineyards, Merrell, YMCA of the USA, REI, American Park Network, Bureau of Land Management, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
With already 76.7 million people hiking, 13.5 million backpacking, 40.4 million trail running, National Trails Day has grown to inspire many more people to enjoy our trails. The Directory of Kauai continues to list organized hikes around the island on our Kauai Events Calendar, and we continue to produce videos and written descriptions of Kauai Hikes for you to enjoy.
Kauai Hike – Okolehao Trail
The Okolehao Trail on the North Shore of Kauai offers scenic views surrounding Hanalei Bay. The red clay trail begins along the remains of an old dirt road used when okolehao (a Hawaiian liquor) was being distilled from the roots of ti plants. You can see ti and other native plants as the trail gains 1,235 feet up to a plateau and overlook. A bench has now been added here to rest and enjoy the sweeping views of Hanalei, Hanalei Bay, taro fields, Princeville, and the Kilauea Lighthouse. If you are content sitting here and enjoying the view… then this is as far as you need to go. If you want to hike father along Kaukaopua Ridge for another half mile you will enjoy subtle elevation loss and gain and more sweeping views including the mountains in the center of the island like Namolokama (4,420 feet). You will also begin to see the endemic Ohi’a tree with its bright red blossoms.
If on the other hand, you are an adrenalin junkie, and a hike is not a hike unless you return sweaty, muddy, bloody, and exhausted… then continue on at your own risk. Sharp vegetation begins to encroach on the trail ripping at skin and clothing, and at times the trail narrows to only a foot wide as it follows along a knife-edge ridge which drops straight down on both sides. There is a false sense of security along the ridge with fern growing out on either side, but this is just ‘green air’. You will come to several ropes to help you navigate down slippery slopes, and then comes rope after rope to assist you straight up several very steep pitches to the twin peaks of Hihimanu (2,400 feet).
Directions: Traveling north from Princeville, proceed about one mile to the bottom of the hill and turn left immediately after the one-lane bridge crossing the Hanalei River. This is Ohiki Road, which takes you through the taro fields. Drive 1/2 mile to the parking lot on the left, and the trailhead is across the street at the foot bridge with the Okolehao Trail sign.
Trail Length: 2.25 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult (or Strenuous)
Elevation: 1235 ft
Kalalau Trail Friends
The Kalalau Trail along the Napali Coast of Kauai is receiving much needed improvements through the efforts of volunteers. The Friends of Kalalau Trail is a crew working to restore this world famous hike. Twice a month a professional crew hired by Pono Pacific Land Management welcomes volunteers to assist with trail rehabilitation between the trailhead at Ke‘e Beach and Hanakapi‘ai Beach. Volunteers learn about wilderness trail building, and contribute their labor to improving this prized asset which is used by visitors and local hikers as well as hunters helping control the feral goat and pig populations on the North Shore.
The first mile of the Kalalau Trail is used by up to five hundred people a day in the summer, and this project to rehabilitate the two miles of trail between Ke‘e Beach and Hanakapi‘ai Beach is funded by a state grant. The trail rehabilitation work will be completed by the end of this year, and volunteers are a strong component to the project. “Hiking the Kalalau Trail is an unforgettable experience and people should be able to enjoy this beautiful wilderness without being in danger due to the poor condition of the trail,” said one volunteer. “It’s tremendously rewarding to go out with the trail building crew and in just one morning help transform a trail section from degraded and hazardous to smooth.”
The Friends of Kalalau Trail is recruiting community minded individuals looking to learn the basics of trail construction and maintenance, while getting your hands dirty and helping the crew, who are led by Native Hawaiian Conservation and Hiking Expeditions. Volunteer days start at 8:00 am at the trailhead at Kee Beach Park and generally end around 2:00 pm. Tools and equipment are provided. Volunteers will need gloves, working boots, pants, water, and lunch for the day. Upcoming volunteer workdays are scheduled for March 20, April 3, April 17, May 8, and May 22 at the Ke‘e Beach trailhead. Volunteers are asked to pre-register for the workdays by e-mailing kalalautrail@ponopacific.com or calling 628-7545.
Kauai Hike – Moalepe Trail
The Moalepe Trail on the East Side of Kauai has a gradual ascent and wonderful views of jagged green ridges, and a distant blue ocean. The trailhead is at the end of the pavement on Olohena Road. It begins as a red dirt right-of-way within the Wailua Game Management Area and leads you through pasturelands. Early into the hike there are ocean vistas, views of the Anahola Mountains and Kong, and close-up views of the Kamalii Ridge climbing into the Makaleha Mountains.
The trail enters the Halelea Forest Reserve after about a mile, while the Moalepe Stream winds its way through the valley on the north side of the trail. The Moalepe Trail narrows and becomes dense with foliage and gradually climbs up to the Kuilau Ridge. Along the way you will be rewarded with panoramas of lush, green canyons and ridges on one side of the trail, and views of Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) and the ocean behind it on the other side of the trail.
The Moalepe Trail is part of the Na Ala Hele trail system and is also popular with equestrians and mountain bikers. As with most interior hikes on Kauai, it can become muddy after extended rains, but you can also be treated to views of waterfalls. This hike ends at a wooden bridge which also marks the end of the Kuilau Trail and can be combined for a one-way shuttle hike.
Directions: From Kuhio Highway 56 turn up Kuamo’o Road 580 aprox. 2.75 miles, turn right onto Kamalua Road 581, go to the end and turn left on Olohena Road and continue to the yellow gate at the end of the pavement .
Length: 2.25 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 680 ft
Kauai Hike – Awa’awapuhi Trail
The Awa’awapuhi Trail promises a trek through dense jungles, dry landscapes, and (weather permitting) incredible sweeping views of the Na Pali Coast. Found in Koke’e State Park this trail winds through a highland forest with occasional ridge top views. Different from most trails, it’s all downhill to the grassy point that overlooks the sheer cliffs of Awa’awapuhi and Nualolo valleys resting 2,500 feet below. The trail starts at an altitude of approximately 4,120 feet and ends at the lookout around 2,500 feet. And, you guessed it… it’s a consistent uphill incline on the way back.
The Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve area is managed as wilderness because of the rich variety of native dryland plant species thriving in it. After the first mile-and-a-half the forest begins to dissipate and the barren terrain of Na Pali comes into view as you begin to get glimpses of the Awa’awapuhi Valley. At about the three mile mark you approach the junction with the Nualolo Cliff Trail. Continue straight ahead to the end of the trail and inspiring panoramas from a 2,500 foot perch and picnic area. Besides fellow hikers, you may run into a few mountain goats that like to cling to the steep slopes. Clouds permitting, you should get a breathtaking view of the luscious green Awa’awapuhi and Nualolo Valleys, leading out to the deep blue Pacific Ocean. It is the view of the folding spires of Na Pali that makes this trail so exceptional. The grassy area at the end of the trail provides an excellent place to picnic, but be careful not venture too close to the edge since the ground may not be safe.
Directions: Take Hwy 550 up to Koke’e State Park. The trailhead is about 1.5 miles past the Koke’e Museum at a parking area near the highway 17 mile marker. You will see the Na Ala Hele sign shown at the beginning of the video.
Trail Length: 3.25 mi.
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 1180 ft
Kauai Hike – Nounou Mountain Trail (East)
The Nounou Mountain Trail (East) climbs to the top of Nounou Mountain (Sleeping Giant) from ocean side (makai). The sleeping giant’s profile is easily seen from the coast near Kapa’a. This trail is a moderately steep walk through forested mountains with gorgeous views of the coastal areas surrounding Kapa’a, Makahela Mountain, and Mt. Waialeale.
Similar to the other trails up Sleeping Giant, it is part of the Na Ala Hele trail system, and wanders through the Nounou Mountain Forest Reserve. The trail begins with several switchbacks through a shady forest of ironwood, guava, lantana, and wild liliko’i. Along the way you are treated to stunning views of Kapa’a, Kalepa Ridge, Wailua Bay, and the Hoary Head Mountains.
At about 1.5 miles is the junction with the West trail on your right. Both trails lead to the left and soon to the picnic shelter and overlook. At this point you are on the giant’s chest where you can enjoy a picnic and amazing views of the Wailua river, the eastern coast of Kauai, and the interior of the island, but there are no facilities or water. The giant’s head is the only thing obstructing a panoramic view. If you are sure-footed, you can hike onward via a brief but very precarious trail onto the sleeping giant’s face. The trail is extremely narrow in parts with hundred foot drop offs at many points. Proceed with caution.
Directions: To access the East trailhead, heading north towards Kapaa, pass over the Wailua Bridge, pass the light at Highway 580 (Kuamo’o Road), and take a left at the next light on Halelilio Road. You are now driving toward the mountain, and the parking area for the trailhead is paved and marked with the Na Ala Hele trail sign about 1 mile on your right.
Length: 1.75 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation: 1000 feet
