Pihea trail and alakai swamp trailthis trail starts from the puu o kila lookout at the end of highway 550. So to end the year we set off to kokee with friends and family to do just that, hike into the mist and the bogs of the worlds highest rainforest, the alakai swamp and wilderness preserve. The ethereal beauty of kauais alakai swamp trail hawaii. On this trail, youll hear, but not necessarily see, birds. Before beginning the hike, make sure you stop at the kokee museum to pick up a trail map and also find. Take a westerly drive around kauai until you run out of road and youll find yourself overlooking the plunging cliffs of kalalau valley on the fabled na pali coast. Hydrology of the alakai swamp kauai, hawaii bulletin no. My friends and i hiked through the alakai swamp to the kilohana lookout while my mavic pro spied on us. More information about this seller contact this seller 6.
This brief book has just the right balance of history, trail descriptions, and hints about making the hikes safe. This area is prime viewing for kauais forest birds. On the big island the primary target was hawaii volcanoes national. That is a very good book to have, by the way i am not affiliated with them in any way. Pihea trail to the alakai swamp, located near waimea, hawaii is a 3. In addressing the history of american hiking in this way, the author has written what is largely a history of american hiking clubs mostly those in the east, but also to some extent those in the west as well. The fact theres a path permitting a ccess to such an otherworldly place as alakai swamp carries a bit of history that needs to be mentioned. Consistent rain in the highlands above at alakai swamp mean that this coastline is always blessed with a stunning amount of beautiful waterfalls. Alakai swamp out and back hiking trail, waimea, hawaii. It sits about 4,000 feet above the kalalau valley floor. Alakai meaning and origin of the name alakai wikiname. Waialeale where mist and clouds reigns but not on this sunny day. The trailhead to pihea trail starts few feet from puu o. We heard the day before on our tubing adventure about the alakai swamp trail.
Jan 04, 2012 hiking on kauai is one of the best activities you can do with your family. And unfortunately, they are inprocess of replacing the 3 foot wide planking with a single 12 inch plank and have. The alakai swamp trail is composed of a boardwalk that occasionally contains broken or missing planks, so watch your step on that section of the trail. Conversely, if you started the pihea trail from the end of the road at the lookout, this is the trail that you turn on to get to the kilohana lookout. The authors writing style is smooth and enjoyable, and he has certainly done very fine research. Alakai swamp trail kauai 2020 all you need to know. Kauai offers hundreds of trail choices for every level of experience. The boardwarks are really fun and the walk on the upper alakai swamp trail to the lookout is worth the extra distance. Hike the pihea trail for just under 2 miles and it will connect to the alakai swamp trail, at which point youll turn left and hike for about 2. Pihea and alakai swamp trail to kilohana overlook modern. A five million year tropical forest at altitude with over 750 inches of rain. The trail starts at a parking and turnaround area 14 mile north of the na pali kona forest reserve entrance sign. Away from this trail the area appears to have re mained unexplored and nnmapped.
But to begin, at puu o kila lookout at the end of the road in kokee. Alakai swamp trail everything you need to know makana charters. Dec 21, 20 from the end of the road, a viewpoint overlooks the na pali coast and the pihea trail follows the rim for a short distance, but all further progress means dropping into the alakaii swamp. Drive up to the kalalau valley overlook for a magnificent valley and ocean view and the chance to see whitetailed tropicbird. The kokee museum has a wealth of information about kauais beautiful kokee state park, waimea canyon and the surrounding area. Kauai hawaii adventure guide franko maps waterproof map. The ethereal beauty of kauais alakai swamp trail by catherine toth fox jun 22, 2016 the woodburning fireplace in the dingy, barely insulated state cabin at the lodge at kokee on kauai wasnt enough to keep me warm that first night, so i had donned everything i had in my backpack. Hiking the pihea and alakai swamp trails in kauai, hawaii.
Also, alternate route to alakai swamp trail, which intersects pihea trail just before the 1. What i wanted was a basic topo map with grid references. Trail builders have created a route through the fringe of the caldera, though difficult terrain, allowing a glimpse of the jungle, the stream valleys, the. The na pali coast is one of the most concentrated places anywhere to see waterfalls in kauai. A number of interesting exhibits at the museum provide insight into the regions history, geography, flora, native birds, hiking trails, hunting opportunities and why there are old telephone poles in the middle of the alakai swamp. From the end of the road, a viewpoint overlooks the na pali coast and the pihea trail follows the rim for a short distance, but all further progress means dropping into the alakaii swamp. Kauai is a small volcanic island with an abundance of natural wonders just waiting for you to to explore. Pihea and alakai swamp trail to kilohana overlook modern hiker.
Hiking on kauai is one of the best activities you can do with your family. As of march 22, 2014, the kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or. For this trip, the islands of kauai and the big island were on my list. I couldnt find much detail about this trail besides being highly recommended in various forums. Places of focus on kauai included the na pali coast state wilderness park, kalalau trail, hanakapiai falls, kilauea point national wildlife refuge, waimea canyon state park, alakai swamp wilderness preserve. One of our favorite kauai trails is the alakai swamp at kokee. Hanakapiai falls trail, kalalau trail, alakai swamp trail. You not only get beautiful vistas worth writing home about of kalalau valley and the napali coast, but also the swamp and the finale of kilohana lookout overlooking the other side of the island with hanalei bay and wainiha valley. Jan 06, 2018 we heard the day before on our tubing adventure about the alakai swamp trail. Here you will see low shrubs, trees, mosses, ferns, and the occasional bright flower. Jun 11, 2011 the pihea trail eventually merged with the alakai swamp trail after two miles. The entrance to the alakai swamp trail isnt far from the terminus of the pihea trail, and there will be a dirt pull out where you can park.
The pihea trail eventually merged with the alakai swamp trail after two miles. Although it leaves the reader with an upbeat notion of what is going on, i hope that is still true under the policies of president trump and interior secretary ryan zinke. The pihea trail contains rock formations that can be slippery when wet, so be sure to bring a good pair of hiking boots. Beginning at the end of waimea canyon drive at the puu o kila overlook is the pihea trail, and it leads to the. The alakai swamp trail starts from either the pihea trail at the kokee state park or from the kona forest road entrance off of rt. There are excellent opportunities for birding and botanizing. At an elevation of over 4000 feet the alakai swamp trail is well above where tropical ends and temperate begins. Although the preserve is home to alpine bogs, it is not a true swamp. Pihea trail and alakai swamp trail this trail starts from the puu o kila lookout at the end of highway 550.
Prior to recolonization by westerners, the swamp was a dangerous place to wander and only experienced hawaiian guides paid it visits. Once you get to the trail from the pihea trail, its an easy hike. Nov 09, 2015 the alakai swamp trail takes you into the interior of kauai, through a tropical rainforest filled with ferns and other greenery. The alakai swamp trail ast trailhead can only be accessed via a 4wd road, therefore 90% of those who do the ast actually do part of the pihea trail to the alakai crossing at the 1. Waimea canyon and kokee state park in kauai the complete guide. The alakai swamp is the last outpost for many of kauais endemic forest birds so we met up with jim at the kokee museum parking lot at 8am for a walk in the woods. The swamp trail breaks off from the pihea trail about a quartermile before the pihea lookout which offers spectacular views when not socked in by clouds. Alakai swamp trail kauai hawaii hawaii travel guide. And one of our family favorites is the pihea trail kilohana lookout.
The steep, jagged mountainsides are perfect terrain for spectacular cascading waterfalls. Hike the rain forest of kokee, the bogs of the alakai swamp and the hanging valleys of the napali coast. Jul 11, 2016 the alakai swamp trail is approximately seven miles round trip, and takes you on a journey through lush forests, and ethereal swamplands. It leads all the way down to the canyon and the waimea river. Unfortunately now, this trail is too dilapidated and in need of serious repairs. Highly recommended forest reserve trail for observing native forest birds and alakai swamp terrain and vegetation. The alakai swamp trail is one of the most sought after hiking trails in kauai. Stop at the kokee museum to pick up a hiking map that will be useful and. I have hiked the piheaalakai swamp trail a few times before and always loved it. There youll find the beginning of the pihea lookout trail. Alakai swamp trail alakai swamp trail, kauai traveller. After the pihea trail intersects the alakai swamp trail, there is an amazing staircase in the forest down to a stream. Pihea trail to the alakai swamp is a hiking adventure located in or near waimea, hi. This trail is for experienced hikers and for people who are prepared to take up the challenge.
Stuart at trail spotting recommends the kauai alakai swamp trail 11mi 17. Some sections of the trail are a bit steep and require some rock scrambling. Feb 12, 2017 my friends and i hiked through the alakai swamp to the kilohana lookout while my mavic pro spied on us. Alakai swamp trail hike, kauai, hawaii kauai explorer. Alakai swamp kauai august 2015 the swamp on the top of the world. Go straight to the kilohana lookout, left to the puu o kila lookout trailhead or right to the sugi camp, or turn around and. Although the name doesnt do the hike justice, the alakai swamp trail is a 8mile roundtrip sensory explosion. I have hiked the pihea alakai swamp trail a few times before and always loved it. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. The trail begins at the end of waimea canyon drive at the puu o kila lookout. Trail starts at the end of kokee road route 552 at puu o kila lookout second kalalau lookout. The route climbs steeply to pihea point, but the alakaii swamp trail is a right turn at the junction, a winding downhill single track into the wet jungle.
Hawaiis alakai swamp trail is like nothing youve ever. Alakai swamp trail everything you need to know makana. Alakai swamp is located within kokee state park, from which the trail starts. I found this bird, which i believe to be a female whiterumped shama nonnative. Jun 22, 2016 the ethereal beauty of kauais alakai swamp trail by catherine toth fox jun 22, 2016 the woodburning fireplace in the dingy, barely insulated state cabin at the lodge at kokee on kauai wasnt enough to keep me warm that first night, so i had donned everything i had in my backpack. This was our march reading for river action book club. The alakai swamp trail is approximately seven miles round trip, and takes you on a journey through lush forests, and ethereal swamplands. A boardwalk covered in mesh wire was the main trail surface for the next 3 miles. Dec 11, 2019 the alakai swamp trail ast trailhead can only be accessed via a 4wd road, therefore 90% of those who do the ast actually do part of the pihea trail to the alakai crossing at the 1. Its actually two trails combined into one lengthy hike first section is on pihea trail, which then intersects with alakai swamp trail. The pihea trail through the alakai wilderness area with a boardwalk over swamps. Hiking kauais alakai swamp in hawaii an adventurous slog through a portion of the rainiest place on earth by john gottberg anderson for the bulletin. A five million year tropical forest at altitude with over 750 inches of rain per year.
Also popularly known as the alakai wilderness preserve, alakai swamp is a wet forest characterized by shallow bogs, formed due to heavy rainfall in the waialeale plateau. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates. Rob wilson photography added a new photo in alakai swamp trail. Alakai swamp trail activities on kauai waimea, hawaii.
Once spent two months hitch hiking across it, camping at state parks, endured and enjoyed the kalalau trail and now make kokee state park base camp. The trail is primarily a wooden boardwalk that keeps the hiker elevated a few inches above the soft bog. To help clarify this junction and the two trails, weve created three maps below. Alakai swamp trail kauai 2020 all you need to know before. This trail takes us through the highest elevation swampland in the world the alakai swamp.
No commercial use allowed on the alakai swamp trail. To reach the alakai swamp trail youll first need to start at the pihea trail. Sep 11, 2007 pihea trail to the alakai swamp is a hiking adventure located in or near waimea, hi. The presentdayplateau features of the alakai swamp can be explained from the geologic history of the area. To access the alakai swamp trail, make your way to mohihi rd. The trail is frequently wet and muddy and caution must be taken on all slopes. A rain poncho is recommended as it can be rainy in the forest and misty on the uppper alakai swamp trail. Ed hunsingerflickr most people start the trail at the puu o kila lookout, meander along the pihea summit trail, and traverse approximately 3. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth, lies the alakai. Most of this part was boardwalk, although some of the planks were in desperate need of repair. The alakai swamp trail takes you into the interior of kauai, through a tropical rainforest filled with ferns and other greenery. The start from the pihea is the most breath taking with 0. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite. This trail leads across the alakai swamp through scrub native rain forest and shallow bogs.
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