Kalalau Trail Hike: Strenuous, rocky, uphill, downhill, slippery...

What to Pack for the hiking the first .5 miles to 2 miles  of the Kalalau trail.

I ain't joking!

Required for this uphill climb: long walking sticks, backpack with 2 - 1.5 liters of water per person, sunblock, sun protection, first aid kit, moleskin for feet blisters, rain poncho, snacks, food, running shoes, or hiking shoes, shorts.

Injuries occur daily ( broken, twisted ankles, broken legs, deep cuts and pulled backs from slipping.)
And the first quarter mile is perhaps the most dangerous of the first 2 miles.


Insights about the "strenuous" Kalalau Trail:
Recently, I took out some guests who were staying at one of Kauai's finest hotels.  They were told to go hiking on the Kalalau trail.  It was their first day here, and it was pouring with rain on the uphill slippery trail.  They had no walking sticks with them, or other gear. ( It is even slippery when it is dry outside as there are 7 perpetually wet muddy areas on the trail you must slog through.


Kris, ( the mother) ( 46?), an athlete and runner, and extremely fit, slipped on the Kalalau trail, 1 mile up, coming back down,  and required immediate medical treatment at a medical facility.  Kris received a deep cut, requiring cleaning and antibiotics to prevent staph ( MRSA we have in abundance). She also pulled her back (!) from the incident. This is not good. She is the athlete in the family!!!

The second last people I took on the Kalalau trail, ( again they were guests at one of Kauai's finest hotels) got vertigo at 3/4 miles up the hill. ( The extremely fit 55 year old fellow got vertigo and needed to turn around. (The trail has very steep drop offs, at times up to 400 feet plus)

Even getting to Hanakapaiai Beach is rated strenuous and takes 5 hours round trip of hiking! ( with 1 hour rest /lunch at the beach which likely has no beach during the winter months  (approx. Dec. to April perhaps)

Hike or hiking to Hanakapaiai Falls????
A lot of people are told to hike to hike to Hanakapaiai Falls. I am talking Hanakapaiai Falls not Hanakapaiai beach.
The Hanakapaiai  falls are inland from the (treacherous/deadly ocean) Hanakapaiai  Beach and requires 2 hours one way hike up wet slippery rocks following a river from the beach.   It is an 8 hour to 9 hour all day strenuous, and dangerous hike : very strenuous.   It is so hard that I ( a hike leader!) have never done it. My husband Jay, who has done it twice, does not recommend it.

With me as your guide, I can take you hiking/ scenic walking to spectacular places that are of outstanding beauty, and are also safe, easy to moderate in difficulty, and in the shade if you would rather hike only in the shade.  (let me know). Plus I will show you many of the best natural places and much more.

           Reaching the top of the summit of Waimea Canyon  : Driving time required to get there.

Waimea Canyon is a 3 1/4  hour drive one way from Princeville to the top of the mountain. ( Waimea canyon is a  2 hour drive from Poipu or Koloa , perhaps 2.5 hours from Lihue)

 This 3 hour drive time from Princeville to the top of the Wiamea Canyon plateau summit, is for perfect drive way conditions. We are limited to only one main highway on Kauai, so slowdowns or accidents can change driving times drastically!

I don't want to downplay the beauty of the Kalalau trail or the Waimea Canyon, but you have to realize that there are time and other concerns.
There are many outstanding places I can take you hiking on the North and Eastside of the Kauai  that does not require 5.5 hours to 6 hours of your day driving. ( And if you want to hike Waimea, let's do it ! )

 
I look forward to hearing from you with dates of availability.
One of my responsibilities as your tour leader is to provide my guests with a safe, fun and injury-free vacation. 
 
Karen

A testimony from a recent guest from one of Kauai's finest hotels


Aloha Karen,

I found a surprise waiting for me in my mailbox this past Saturday – your cd full of beautiful photographs!
Thank you for sending this wonderful little memento of our vacation.  We had an amazing time while on the Big Island and Kauai, but our favorite part of the trip was your tour!  We really enjoyed seeing Kauai’s hidden gems.  Many of which, we never would had found on our own.
Before we left Kauai, we ventured back to ----------------Beach by ourselves.
We were so glad that you showed it to us!  It was our favorite beach on all of Hawaii!
If any of our friends plan a trip to Kauai, we will definitely recommend that they book a tour with you!
Thank you again and we truly appreciate your thoughtful gift.
A Hui Hou,

Shena and Tim

 
A recent Testimony from guest at one of Kauai's finest hotels
"We loved our day with you.  You are great! "
 

 Another recent Testimony  

Hi Karen!
 Aloha from Los Angeles!  We have arrived back in California and are safely home.
We enjoyed ourselves with you tremendously!  Thank you very, very much for an awesome day.
Again, we sure enjoyed ourselves, and we look forward to the next time too!  Till then, Aloha, and God bless!
Cheers,

Charlene and Peter