Wide range of scenery packed into short hike
By Richard McMahon
Special to The Advertiser
LOCATION: The trail begins off 'Opae'ula/Pa'ala'a Uka Road on the North Shore. Entering the town of Hale'iwa from Weed Circle, turn right on the cane road at the traffic light, and follow the road as it curves left, then right, and under the highway overpass.
At the fork, take the left road, through the locked gate (see below), and drive 6.8 miles along 'Opae'ula Road to a dirt road going off to the right. Turn, and park off to the side on this dirt road.
DESCRIPTION: This 3.5-mile round trip packs a lot of variety into a short hike. The route rises gradually up to a grassy plateau with views over central O'ahu, descends into a stream gulch, follows a functioning irrigation ditch, and stops at a small, refreshing pool.
From your car, walk along the dirt road, continuing straight after it becomes a foot trail. As the trail begins to climb, another trail branches off down and to the right; this is the return route. Continue climbing as the ridge narrows, until reaching a second trail to the right, which rises steeply through a stand of strawberry guava. Take this trail.
Breaking out of the guava, the route traverses a grassy plateau, with sweeping views across the Schofield plain to the Wai'anae Mountains.
Reaching a narrow ridge, the trail descends fairly steeply into 'Opae'ula Gulch, where it intersects a wider trail following an irrigation ditch. Turn left along this trail (turning right is the return loop).
Shortly after a small dam and ditch intake, the trail crosses the stream, following it closely through a tunnel of rose apple trees, which have closed over the stream.
After the third stream crossing, the trail reaches a flat rock bank with a nice pool. The trail continues past an abandoned tower and pumping station to a second pool at a gauging station, but the first pool is better for a refreshing dip.
The return trip retraces the route to the junction of the ridge and ditch trail, but instead of climbing the ridge, it continues along the irrigation ditch.
At the next fork, instead of going left and down to follow the flume, turn right and up. Look for a white "Spooky Trail" sign on a tree, which will confirm this turn (if it is still there).
Shortly afterward, the trail crosses the ditch on a wooden plank and begins to climb through strawberry guava, ending at the trail along the ridgewhere the hike began. Turn left here, and return to your car.
SPECIAL COMMENTS: Permission for this hike is required from both Kamehameha Schools (567 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813) and U.S. Army Garrison, Hawai'i, (Schofield Barracks, HI 96857, Attn: APVG-GWY-O).
Since this permission is usually only given to outdoor groups, the hike can normally only be done with such a group. The Sierra Club (538-6616) schedules this hike, and guests are welcome.
