Kaumu o Kaleihoohie-Kohala…
The highpoint of the Kohala Mountains, a small mountain range at the northern tip of the big island Hawaii. From what we read before doing this trek, it was supposed to be a challenging navigation exercise. It certainly wasn’t the most challenging, but it did present some challenges. We were glad we were warned about trying to short-cut the descent through the open field…it’s definitely not just an open pasture.
The route was pretty straight forward. A long uphill slog to the forest reserve boundary. We followed the boundary fence for a while till hitting large patches of the vine fern, where we climbed over the fence where we found travel much easier in the forest. We ended up climbing over the boundary fence several times on our ascent and descent for easier travel. Once we found the stiles that appeared to be an official entrance to the Kohala Forest Reserve, we found the blue flagging we had read about. From there it was all about following a faint but obvious trail, complete with the occasional blue flagging. We took a short side trip to tag the summit Eke Mountain, then back on the trail to Kaumu o Kaleihoohie, the highpoint of the Kohala Mountains. We lost the trail several times but as long as we were heading in the right direction, we ended up on the trail again. The summit did not offer much in the way of a view, but it was the highpoint ad we were happy to be there. We found a metal fence post with lots of flagging on it, and a metal pipe drove in the ground just about where the GPS showed the summit. After a long break, we started our way back. Again, loosing the trail several times but finding it later.
By the time we got back to the western boundary fence the thick clouds had rolled in which cooled the temps…which felt good. As we started the descent down the pasture road we dropped below the clouds, and by the time we got back to the car it was sunny and warm.
This was a great hike and a fun summit to find. Another great day out!
The 1.75 mile slog up to the forest reserve boundary…
Following the boundary fence…
Easy going till we get into the large patches of the vine fern…
The stile that leads us into the Kohala Forest Reserve…now all we have to do is find the trail and the blue flagging…
Typical travel through the forest…
We think that is where we are going…the highpoint.
At the summit of Kaumu o Kaleihoohie, the highpoint of the Kohala Mountains.
Found this little guy sitting on an old log…
Took it back to town, where it belongs…
Back out of the clouds…
Looking back up where we were…the clouds have covered the mountain.
Kohala Mountains…
Today’s route…
