Kauai Day 3

Tuesday when we researched what to see, we discovered Kaua'i has an impressive, if diminutive, canyon rivaling the Grand Canyon.  The guide book gave it rave reviews, and we decided to check it out.  Kaua'i, the oldest of the Hawaiian islands is about 51,000,000 years old, compared to Hawaii- the Big Island - which began around 400,000 years ago and is still growing.  Given the difference in age, nature has had lots of time for wind, rain and waves to alter an island that may have looked much different back at the beginning than now, and it does!  Other than cliffs along the the coast, much of Hawaii appears 'gentle' in comparison to Kaua'i which is points and angles, a bit like comparing  a grand parent with a new born.

Pan on the way up. Click here to view at full zoom and note the farm at the river level

Waimea Canyon, a state park, more than fulfilled the guidebook hype.  It was beautiful and impressive, and well worth the trip.  We spent the day marveling at the views, exploring and hiking.  The road to the top of the canyon is about 18 M, with overlooks and numerous trails, some with serious changes in elevation (what goes down, must come up).  At the Pu'u Hinahina Lookout we took the trail down to the top of the Waipo'o Falls, rated as moderate.

Farther up showing the various layers.  Click here for full zoom

Originally 3 rivers fed the island's center on Mt. Wai'ale'ale, all running down the gentle sloping shield volcano, emptying into  the ocean at different places.  When a fault caused the collapse of part of the volcano's flank, the rivers combined as they ran into the fault, carving a canyon in the splintered and fractured lava flows.  Thus a magnificent canyon was born, with each layer representing a different eruption and lava flow.  The canyon is 10 M long, 1 M wide and 3,600 feet deep.

Waipo'o Falls - Our hike stopped at the upper left corner.
The white blobs are people on the trail  Click for full zoom

If we'd followed the guide book directions (we had a 4WD) we could have saved 0.8M and 240' in elevation (each way!).  Instead we began the hike at the Lookout and did 1140' elevation and 2.3M each way.  Actually given that we climbed into and out of several stream beds, I think we did more than 1140' change in elevation.

The last portion we did was loose dusty red clay

Thankfully the trail was dry - it would have been treacherous otherwise as the trail had a decent layer of fine red dust a rocky and somewhat rough trail that would have made it very slippery.  Most of the trail was along the edge of the forest providing shade, but the last bit was on the ridge, leading down to the top of the falls.  Multiple helicopters flew in the canyon during our hike, but they didn't have the benefit of exercise.  It would have been an interesting way to see the sights, although in reading the guidebook, not all tours are equal which you might not realize until you fund yourself in the back seat with a more restricted view.  We had the ability to stop and linger (or catch our breath) along the way.

From the lookout - the red trail in center left is end of the canyon falls trail (Zoom to see)

Not liking drop offs, Leonard hiked the last bit alone - (I don't get the bit about looking down an 800' falls from the top).  On the hike out we saw a family of goats (not mountain) chomping through the grass on the hillside. 

A goat family

A natural rock loop

Back at the car, we headed for the Pu'u o Kila Lookout at the end of the road and found ourselves in a thin layer of clouds thanks to the heating of the sun.  The clouds did blow past and give us  a glimpse down to the ocean and back through part of the canyon.  True to form, Kawaikini the highest point on the island was still in the clouds.  At 5243' it seems to catch every cloud around and receives  472" of rain a year, earning the honors as the wettest place on earth, only making rare appearances.

ocean view from Puuokila lookout

Another shot of the falls later in the day. Lynnea stopped on upper flat portion of the trail
Leonard continued down until it got steeper and he could see the top of the falls.

By the time we got back to the museum, it was closed for the day, so we started for home, stopping to catch the late afternoon light  in the canyon several times.  It was a rewarding, if long and somewhat tiring day.  The clouds had blown past the time we reached Kapa'a, and we thought we might have gotten a glimpse of Kawaikini.

Maybe Kawaikini,  the highest mountain on Kauai