Kalalau Trail

We were very excited to hike the Kalalau trail again! In 2001, attempting to hike 10 miles directly to Kalalau Beach, we took a several mile detour up Hanakapi'ai Valley to Hanakapi'ai Falls. We never quite reached the falls - once we realized that we were heading the wrong way - we turned around. So, we purposefully hiked to the Hanakapi'ai Falls this time - and the first few miles of the trail were familiar to us! 

The first mile is a giant stone staircase. Slippery when wet, so always!

The hike goes in an out of valleys, from the ridges, we could see the ocean and the coming storms. We were soaked in mile 2.

One of the most stunning views.

Another rainbow!

The view onto Hanakapi'ai Beach.

Numerous warnings help bolster the legend of the Kalalau Trail. There are many stories of this trail - here's just one (and here's the local news coverage).

We hiked into Hanakapi'ai Beach.

We turned toward the Hanakapi'ai Valley - here are the gorgeous mountains of the Napali Coast.

We got soaked on mile 3 and 4 too. Here's a giant bamboo stand.

The trail guide outlined three stream crossings.

Our first view of Hanakapi'ai Falls!

Word of the year!

We went swimming!

The falls are incredible.

One last look back at the falls.

Three more river crossings to go.

The trail was not always clearly marked. Sometimes it was obvious.

Last looks!

Road to Hanalei

Our final few days in Kauai were spent in Hanalei, on the north shore. 

We enjoyed a leisurely drive up the east coast. 

We stopped to admire the Wailua River, a site of early settlement on Kauai.

The Opaeka'a Falls are more than 150 feet high.

Word.

Arriving on the north shore, we visited Kilauea Point and National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse. The ocean crashing into the rocks was mesmerizing.

We then found Secrets Beach (it took us a bit, after all it is secret). There were warnings to greet us.

You can see the lighthouse on the point.

Rocks -dangerous but beautiful.

The dangerous lava pools.

These pictures don't convey how huge the waves were.

When we arrived in Hanalei, we enjoyed watching the surfers - a block from our cottage!

Kapa'a

Kapa'a is on the eastern side of the island. Our hotel was on the beach! Here's the view from our room.

The view from our lanai.

We saw the sunrise each day!

Can't have too many sunrises.

We hiked up Nounou Mountain, otherwise known as The Sleeping Giant. The hike had great views of Kapa'a and the eastern side of the island.

We think this is the nose of the sleeping giant, but we're not really sure.

This sign was more confusing than you might think. Let's just say we were reacquainted with the trail a few times.

In my completely unbiased opinion, this is a great picture.

Do not leave valuables in trunk.

On our last night in Kapa'a we saw a rainbow!

A double rainbow!

Can't have too many rainbows either.