How to get there:
Drive north-west on Hwy. 340 from Kahului.
Just as you arrive at a sign telling that the State Highway ends, turn left
onto the access road that serves the trailhead. This is at location
S20.95832, W156.52561. There is a relatively small parking lot. A larger lot immediately
below was operated by the Boy Scouts, they asked a dollar 10 donation for parking.
There is also an overflow parking area immediately after you turn off from the main highway,
parking here will add about 1.3 kilometer to the hike, each way.
Route:
The trail starts out going uphill to a water tank on a concrete surface. Next, it turns
into a more normal trail. Quite wide. Most often one should expect this trail to be a bit
muddy and slippery in places. The trail becomes
a distinct ridge trail ascending to
the base of a somewhat broader final summit. A few switchbacks up the final hillside, then
more level
with a wooden platform at the end.
Comments:
Heidi and I started shortly before 1100, the parking was full, but a dollar
10 donation to the Boy Scouts seemed like a good solution. The weather had a mix
of sun, clouds and mist. The trail was slightly slippery in places.
Nice views into the Waihee Valley
along the middle section of the trail.
Heidi was not in
her normal good shape and decided to wait for me at the base of the last uphill.
I made the summit shortly before 1200, then joined Heidi for a return descent where
care was called for to avoid sliding. We were back by the car shortly before 1300.