Hiking Pu'u Manamana Trail

My buddy and I started our Saturday adventure from Haleiwa, Hawaii with some coffee and pastries from Ted's Bakery near Sunset Beach, Hawaii. The long Kamehameha Hwy (Hwy 83) is full of outdoor adventure shops that would set the mood for what was ahead. Along the way we passed Turtle Bay Resort ( Great place for Snorkeling ), The Polynesian Center and finally, Pu'u Manamana Trail. The trail is located between Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park and the small town of Kaaawa,HI ( Its spelled with three As').

The Trail Head was a mystery to me because it was nowhere to be found. I proceeded on a small beaten path off Hwy 83, marked with pink ribbons. There was no wasting time on this trail, I started the ascend up the mountain with steep climbs and lose, crumbly, clay soil. At one point there was engineering tape to help out, not much help though. So the long ascend continued up the mountain. I finally reached my first lookout over looking Kahana Bay.

After an exhausting uphill battle with nature, things just got more fun and scary. I'm not much of a climber and on a scale of 1-10, 10 being an expert, I rate myself a 4. What a scary thought that is? I've been on plenty of trails here on Hawaii and on the Mainland and this was a real challenge for me mentally. The up and down steep climbs of this ridge trail with a 40lb day bag and winds blowing around 10-15 mph that morning . This trail is defiantly not for the faint of heart or with poor physical endurance.

As I left the point where I thought was the last push to the top, I looked at my app I use to find the local trails and to my surprise, I was only 1/4 of the way done. Hooray!!

As I continue the ascend, the road became narrow with steep drop offs. It sure made it fun and exciting to cross the narrow stretches. This trial should have been called "Ridge Trail" because from this point, I walked on the top of the mountain ridges till the end of the trail. Some places had trees to assist (or to slow down your fall) and other places had no brush cover.

At exactly the halfway point of the Five mile trail is the "Turn Out". (Sorry for no photos, I took off my hiking shoes, rested and had me some Beef Jerky) There was remnants of an old fire in the middle of the area. Right before I got to the Turn Out, There was a grim reminder of the chances I took hiking the Pu'u Manamana trail with a Pink Cross/Memorial and name plate of this person that died back in 2013. R.I.P

I started my way back the trail. This part of the trail consist of heavy brush and lots of mud.The trail still had plenty of fight left with in her, with steep climbs, and steep descends. There was definitely the island feel at this point of the trail with beautiful plants and lots of fern bushes to cut my legs up.( I should have worn some long pants). I was excited to finally start descending down" Cemetery Ridge". Most of the descend climb was nearly vertical so I turned around and climbed backwards, If that makes sense? There was plenty of trees to hold on too but it was still treacherous and difficult.

I notice that my surrounding was changing with different types of trees and plants. I knew then that I was nearly down and in one piece. I was stoked and excited to see which picture I would first post on Twitter. At the bottom of the Trail I came across a cemetery. I guess that's why the call it "Cemetery Ridge". Make Sense!

The joys of #CrushingIt was so amazing. I strongly believe this adventure has made me stronger in so many ways. I accomplished something that I would have never tried if my Battle Buddy wouldn't have asked me to join him. The bad thing about this is, there is something else that is just as big or even bigger in the works already. I hope You have enjoyed this Adventure? "Great Adventures Awaits The Seeker!! "

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