Palikea via Heleakala to Palehua (GoPro POV)

This hike takes us up to Pu'u Heleakala and beyond towards the Wai`anae summit crest, topping out at Pu'u Palikea (3,098ft). The ridgeline just beyond Heleakala, especially beyond the low saddle gets ridiculously overgrown. The final ascent to Palikea is extremely steep with several rockfaces, one particular rockface which I describe as a "Bear Claw and a half". If it's not rockfaces, it's a dreadful grassy steep slope. Eventually it enters the Nanakuli Forest Reserve and tops out at the summit of Palikea and joins the Palehua Trail, which I have to say is one of the best maintained trails on the island. The trail meanders along the Wai`anae summit crest, contouring rather than following the actual crest. I wonder if the Ko'olau Summit Trail used to look like this back in it's heyday. After passing some cellphone/radio towers, the trail eventually joins with Palehua Rd which I call the "longest road ever" if you walk the whole way. The road passes by Camp Timberline and later ends at Makakilo.

About 20 minutes into our road walk, a forest ranger spotted us and we were informed that we were trespassing and were "ejected" to Makakilo via his truck. For us, it was more of an "egress" to our destination! That saved us nearly an hour of road walking! The ranger was very intrigued when he realized where we started our hike from and gave us props for doing such an undertaking.

I guess this will be my first and last time on the Palehua Trail. I would love to find out how to get access to the gates and drive our vehicle to the start of the trail, it's a great trail for a nice stroll through the forest with great views of Nanakuli Valley!

NOTICE: The Palehua Trail and Road are private property, therefore, you must obtain permission from the Palehua caretaker.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Palikea
• Palehua
• Heleakala
• Camp Timberline
• Nanakuli
• Makakilo
• Oahu
• Hawaii

[PhilistinesReadBooks]

I've been to the Palehua side just below the summit and I wouldn't even make it up that. Little less from the other side. Crazy.

[moani96]

Haleakala :)



[KhunPamela1963]

mahalo for sharing that, loved the billy goat walking view and amazing vistas. how long did the hike actually take?

[34sunbun]

I noticed around 5:30 you all passed a cactus which didnt seem like a rare one. There must be the temptation to just wack that over the side since it probably isnt native and was planted there by someone for reminiscing. Of all the places a ranger has to be there. Like the mountain shots with the sun hitting low on the horizon. Thanks and stay like a mountain goat/goats.

[cruman87]

palehua is beautiful.