Return to Kauai (February 4-16, 2015)

Darlene and I return to Kauai to cram in twelve more days of outdoor activities and exploration. We've each visited before, many years ago, but once again I wasn't able to see or do all the things I wanted. We'll be back again!
A five-minute long video montage of our entire trip. (71 MB download) Chicken!! Get the chicken!! DSC02406 Spouting Horn blowhole (near Po'ipu) Spouting Horn blowhole (near Po'ipu)
DSC02210 DSC02211 DSC02229 The Cliff Trail (closed at this time) is visible on the left leading over to the overlook at the end of Nu'alolo Trail. Looking down into Nu'alolo Valley Walking the spine at the end of the Awa'awapuhi Trail
The view near the end of the Awa'awapuhi Trail Looking down into Awa'awapuhi Valley Looking down into Awa'awapuhi Valley On the spine after the end of the Awa'awapuhi Trail DSC02246 On the spine after the end of the Awa'awapuhi Trail
IMG 3872 DSC01606 The end of the road in Kokee State Park: the Pu'u a Kila Lookout And looking towards our future destination later in the week: Mount Wai'ale'ale, shrouded in fog and clouds today One of many overlooks into Waimea Canyon and towards Waipo'o Falls from the Kokee Rd Another lovely afternoon view of Waipo'o Falls and Waimea Canyon
Waipo'o Falls Oh look! More slippery slopes along the Cliff Trail to Waipo'o Falls! DSC01678 DSC02310 DSC02291 Natural arch near Waipo'o Falls
Small falls near the top of Waipo'o Falls, at the end of the Cliff Trail Waimea Canyon DSC02328 DSC02314 Darlene is so excited about the cool weather greeting us at the start of the Pihea Trail hike. DSC02333
DSC01707 Oh yes, the Pihea Trail is known for being two miles of severely eroded and muddy trail. Pihea Trail Viewpoint (top of a very steep scramble) on the Alakai'i Swamp trail DSC01736 DSC02343
DSC02352 DSC02385 DSC02388 On top of the Alakai'i Swamp DSC02386 DSC02363
Panorama from the Kilohana lookout Looking down to Hanalei Bay from the end of the trail and the Kilohana Lookout DSC02378 DSC02374 Sad face for being unable to locate the geocache at the Kilohana Lookout DSC02387
DSC02389 Our Waimea cottage Some stupendous trees on the grounds of the Waimea Plantation Cottages land Some stupendous trees on the grounds of the Waimea Plantation Cottages land Some stupendous trees on the grounds of the Waimea Plantation Cottages land Testing the hammock near our Waimea cottage
Maha'ulepu Beach Hawaiian Monk Seal Hawaiian Monk Seal Hawaiian Monk Seal Maha'ulepu Beach Gorgeous rainbow and sunset light on the Makewehi Lithified Cliffs
DSC02442 Moonrise at the seashore near our rented condo in Princeville The incredible view from our rented condo's lanai Humpback Whale Three Humpback Whales breaching at once, seen from our lanai! Hawaiian Geese ("Nene")
Hawaiian Geese ("Nene") Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the coconut! Red-Crested Cardinal Beach closed at Hanalei Bay Stormy surf at Hanalei Bay One of the wet caves near Ha'ena
One of the wet caves near Ha'ena Looking back down to Ke'e Beach after setting out on the Kalalau Trail Looking forward along the start of the Na Pali coast from the Kalalau Trail DSC02658 DSC02662 DSC02666
DSC02684 Hawaiian Garden Spider (Argiope Appensa) First creek crossing on the way to Hanakapi'ai Falls DSC02689 Rough surf at Hanakapi'ai Beach – fantastic to watch! DSC02764
On the way back, we hung out at Hanakapi'ai Beach for a while just mesmerized by the heavy surf. DSC02701 Hanakapi'ai Falls Hanakapi'ai Falls Yep, looked like we were the last ones at Hanakapi'ai Falls for the day! Just before we packed up to leave, another couple arrived and took our picture for us... they started out even later than us!
DSC01906 Sunset on the Kalalau Trail heading back Hanalei Lookout Hanalei Lookout DSC01930 Lookout toward Hanalei Bay and Puff the sleeping, magic dragon...
A compressed 180-degree view of the dry sea cave near Haena. DSC01931 DSC02782 At the back end of this deep, dry sea cave This somewhat hidden wet cave contains the "Blue Room"... P1020199
P1020216 Looking towards the opening to the "Blue Room" – water level was a little low today. By chance, we ended up renting from Josh who was my Kauai trip guide 11 years ago! Kayaking on the Hanalei River Kayaking on the Hanalei River Hawaiian Geese ("Nene")
DSC02802 DSC02909 Awesome waves at the "Queen's Bath" – obviously a dip in the bath was out of the question today! More surf at the "Queen's Bath" More surf at the "Queen's Bath" Kilauea Lighthouse
Kilauea Lighthouse Humpback Whale (seen from Kilauea Lighthouse) Humpback Whale (seen from Kilauea Lighthouse) Humpback Whale (seen from Kilauea Lighthouse) Sea cave and surf near Kilauea Lighthouse DSC02912
Laysan Albatross Laysan Albatross Wailua Falls (from the lookout) Wailua Falls (from the lookout) Wailua Falls after hiking down from the lookout Going for a swim at the base of Wailua Falls
DSC03090 Kayaking on the Wailua River DSC03114 Crossing the river on the way to the "Secret Falls" DSC03099 DSC03100
DSC03112 DSC03098 DSC03105 DSC03109 "Secret Falls", accessed via kayaking up the Wailua River DSC03143
DSC03144 DSC03154 P1020245 P1020247 Spotted Dove The high road: a trail of roots leading back from "Secret Falls"
DSC03186 DSC03190 DSC03203 DSC03204 DSC03208 DSC03218
DSC03219 The fern grotto along the Wailua River The shallow but sheltered pools of Lydgate Park in Wailua We swam out a ways to snorkel with fish in a little more depth: maybe 12 feet Moorish Idol, Convict Tang Moorish Idol, Convict Tang
Due to fallen trees from a recent storm, we had to hike the road for a couple of miles Darlene is very happy about her stick! Our destination in sight: Wai'ale'ale Crater That way! DSC03253 Getting closer to the walls of Wai'ale'ale Crater
A look back after we decided to give up and turn back.. Looking towards the walls of Wai'ale'ale Crater IMG 3943 Uh oh, Darlene stepped in it! DSC03269 DSC03275
Oh look, I found some mud... DSC03285 Waiting for our helicopter flight DSC03366 DSC03293 DSC02134
DSC03311 DSC03315 Na Pali Coast Na Pali Coast Na Pali Coast Na Pali Coast
Hanalei Bay The top of Wai'ale'ale and the Alakai'i Swamp Looking towards the walls of Wai'ale'ale Crater The weeping walls of Wai'ale'ale Crater DSC02168 Looking down towards where we were bushwhacking just yesterday
Wailua Falls