Hawaii Loa Ridge

4th of July, 2011. Sommer and I were joined by the Daw's, Duvernay's and our Makiki Ward Missionaries, Edwards & Turina, on a hike up Hawaii Loa Ridge. We got our start early the fourth at around 7 am. The gated community of Hawaii Loa Ridge only allows ten cars at a time to access the "exclusive" ridge for hiking (access does not equal parking). Luckily we got there early as we were the 5th and 6th cars allowed in to hike the ridge. The line of cars was so long security at the entrance was turning cars away that were waiting in line to enter. After everyone in our cars signed the release forms we made our way up the steep ridge lined with posh, multi-million dollar homes.

Photo credit: www.Hawaii-Realty.com

Hawaii Loa Ridge is nice in one sense in that your car does a lot of the climbing for you. The trail head starts at just under 1100 feet in elevation at a very nice park at the top of the neighborhood (that they remind you is not for public use).

Our group at the beginning of the trail:  Elders Edwards and Turina, Shelly & TJ Daw, Mike & Kat Duvernay, Sommer and Scott Hovey.

There is a nice gradual ascent as you start the trail.

In the beginning the trail is dry and offers no shade.

About a third of the way in the trees start to offer some shade, but the hills start.

About half way on the trail is a tree that seems to be floating in the air.

Once the small hills are done, the real climbing begins.

The trail turns into a series of eroded "steps" and slippery muddy, crumbly exposed sections. Some with rope, some without.

About 3/4 of the way to the summit, TJ and the girls headed back for the trailhead, calling it a day a little early.

Mike and I, along with Elders Turina and Edwards pushed on to the summit.

We were rewarded with a nice view of Waimanalo, in between breaks in the clouds.

The summit also provided great views of East O`ahu and Waikiki.

After taking in the beauty that is a Ko`olau summit terminus, we took some pics of ourselves and headed back.

It rained on the way back, making the steep trail even more slippery to head down.

In a couple of hours we were back at the trailhead.

It was a great way to spend Independence Day. Free to get into the posh, exclusive neighborhood, get dirty and sweaty, and get all the benefits of their million dollar homes without spending a dime!

Bonus...fireworks!

Double bonus...video.

Rest of the pictures: