Muddy path doesn't distract from great scenery of La'ie Trail
By Richard McMahon
Special to The Advertiser
A spotlight of a camp site, trail or other hiking information, courtesy of author Richard McMahon
LOCATION: Access to the trailhead begins at the end of Pupukea Road on the North Shore of O'ahu and ends in the town of La'ie. It traverses part of the Ko'olau Summit Trail, and descends via the La'ie Trail.
You will need to be dropped off at Pupukea Road and picked up at Po'ohaili Road in La'ie, or position cars at both locations.
DESCRIPTION: This 11-mile hike is an excellent introduction to the scenic and isolated Ko'olau Summit Trail. One of the toughest trails on O'ahu, the KST contours along the top of the Ko'olau range from Pupukea to the Kipapa Trail above Mililani, almost 20 miles away. Fortunately, this first portion of the KST is a relatively moderate stretch, with no long ups and downs.
One disadvantage it shares with the rest of the trail, though, is mud, and lots of it. But this is a small price to pay for the wonderful scenery all along the way.
From the end of Pupukea Road near the Boy Scout camp, walk around the yellow metal gate and hike straight up the dirt road, passing the sign for the Kaunala Trail on the left. Continue uphill for 2 miles, where a second yellow gate crosses the road.
Go around this gate, and after another mile watch for an overgrown dirt road on the right. This is the start of the KST. The road quickly turns into a trail, which narrows as it starts uphill on the side of a small ridge.
Soon after the trail crosses the ridge, a signed junction shows a lookout to the left and the main trail to the right. The short detour to the grassy lookout is worthwhile, offering a good view over the windward coast from Kahuku past La'ie Point.
Returning to the junction, it is not long before the trail reaches the Ko'olau summit, where it will remain until the junction with the La'ie Trail, about 4 miles away.
Take care to keep your eye on the trail, particularly in its wooded parts, where detouring around mud holes can lead to accidentally falling off the trail due to holes concealed by brush.
For the most part, though, this is a delightful stroll — or would be if it weren't for the mud.
About 3 miles from the start of the KST, watch for a green arrow on the left, identifying the Kahuku Trail, but continue along the KST. A little more than a mile later you will find another green arrow pointing to the Malaekahana Trail; again remain on the KST.
Within 45 minutes you should reach the arrow marking the La'ie Trail, where you start down. It is 3 miles to the bottom of La'ie.
If you are interested, and up to it, a side trail about halfway down on the left, leads to a pretty waterfall and pool — a good place to clean off some of that mud — you should not encounter any more.
After a grove of Cook pine, the trail turns into a rough, eroded dirt road. At a gate, turn right on a more improved dirt road, follow it to a final gate, where it becomes Po'ohaili Street.
SPECIAL COMMENTS: Because the first part of this hike passes through an Army training area, the trail is open to hikers only on weekends and holidays. Permission is also required, which may be obtained by writing to Commander, US Army Garrison, Hawai'i, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857 (Attn: APVG-GWY-O).
While it is feasible for hikers with good navigating skills to descend from the KST from either of the other two trails mentioned, the La'ie Trail is the best option. The Kahuku Trail receives no maintenance and is difficult to follow near its end.
The Malaekahana Trail receives minimum maintenance, but can also be hard to follow, and with steep ups and downs, is a more strenuous descent than the graded La'ie Trail.
