Achievement Unlocked - Walk There Again

 

As Tammy and I planned our walks for this trip to the island of Kauai, we carefully considered how much the repaired Achilles and all of the OTHER muscles, tendons, joints and bones required to hike could take.  We both agreed that the Kuilau Ridge Trail was a reasonable and realistic goal and we would be disappointed if we did not manage it.  The Canyon Trail and the hike to the top of Waipo'o Falls, on the other hand, was purely aspirational.  

In fact, I was a little hesitant to suggest it at first - and I believe I didn't.  I think Tammy suggested it.  So we gave it a go after having several other successful walks.

So, the foot makes another appearance at a new location post-surgery.  We actually had to start by walking a 4-wheel drive road to the trail head for the Canyon Trail.  This road has a reasonably steep grade and is not a perfectly smooth surface.  So, walking it was a non-trivial exercise to begin with.  

Don't get me wrong, hikers with some experience are going to say it's no big deal.  And, as long as you pay attention to where you are going AND remember that the downward slope becomes an upward slope when you return - all will be well.

Every so often, a four-wheel drive vehicle might pass as you trudge down (or up) the road.  We saw a two-wheel drive going down as well.  Sure, you CAN do it if you're really careful, it isn't too wet AND you're kind of lucky.  But, you really shouldn't - just think of the poor folks who have to get you OUT of there if you do get stuck.  

On the return up the road we met a couple where the guy grumbled that they should have driven down to the trail head and said something along the lines of "I don't care about the car, it's only a rental."  

Yeah.  Maybe we'll talk about that in another blog someday.  But, today is NOT that day!  Today, we talk about SUCCESSES!

There were lots of Koa trees on this walk.  I think I mentioned them in the post about the Iliau walk, where there were some smaller specimens.  On this walk, there were numerous, larger Koas - some of which were leaning significantly due to one storm or another.

I am pleased that I became more in tune with recognizing and appreciating Koas each time we went by them.  This part of Koke'e and Waimea Canyon has plenty of them, which I found pleasing and somewhat reassuring for a whole host of reasons.  One of them is the idea that Koa trees have a long history in (and of) this place and it is in their interest to serve as tree guardians here.

As we walked down the road, I found a flower preparing to open.  There was another open flower, further back from the road, so I opted to take a picture of this one.  

It turns out this is a bloom of the Glory Bush, which is considered a concerning invasive species in this area.  That's yet ANOTHER topic I can talk about in a blog.  But, for the purposes of this blog and walk, this bloom actually has a positive purpose.  

Here it suggests that something beautiful is in our future.  And it was actually important at this early stage because Tammy was already second-guessing the decision.  You see, we've walked this trail in the past and she was already very worried about some of the steeper portions on the trail itself.

Since we were staying on the West-side of Kauai, it was easier for us to get an early start into the Waimea Canyon.  We were the first to park in the area where the main Koke'e road meets with this road to the Canyon Trail.  The sun was still lighting the world around us at a fairly steep angle, giving the camera person (me) something to play with once in a while.

Broad leaves were covered in dew drops and there was actually steam rising from some of the low growing plants near the main road when we started.  It wasn't terribly cool (low 60s) but we could see our own breath as we walked.

Speaking of walking.  There is a reason this trail was aspirational rather than a practical goal.  Like most Kauai natural trails, there are obstacles that require attention.  There are rocks embedded in the hard-packed, red earth.  That earth itself could often be damp, making it a slipping hazard.

And there are roots that are exposed throughout the trail itself.  They weren't an issue on the road portion (of course), but once you reach the trail, it's a common hazard.

But, as I said before, most of the Kauai trails have these hazards.  Which means we had already accomplished handling them.  

As Tammy is demonstrating at a later point in the hike, there is some climbing to do (both up AND down).  I wasn't able to take a picture that really illustrated that issue for the wooded portion of the trail. In those areas, you have rocks, roots, slippery surfaces AND some decent steps up and down.  That meant there was a fair amount of starting, stopping, and assists from Tammy's hiking partner (me).

For all of you folks who have healthy Achilles tendons, even you might feel some of this workout.  Now consider that Tammy had hers reattached about six months prior to this hike. She has had to re-teach herself how to walk and use her legs.  I am not entirely sure I can impress upon you how difficult this was and how proud I am of her determination and effort - all while being very aware of her limits so we would know if we had to return before reaching the ultimate goal.  In fact, reaching the goal was in doubt several times along the trail.

Getting back to the walk.  We have found that the sky at the Waimea Canyon can be a very deep blue earlier in the day.  Of course, it was NOT nearly so early once we got to the ridge that leads to the Waipo'o Falls (shown above).  But, it was still early enough that the facing ridge was in shadow - which means Rob could get some pictures of the deep-blue Kauai skies.

So, I talked a little bit about Tammy's Achilles challenges.  Let's now talk about the challenge I had to deal with.  

I am not terribly fond of heights.

Yep.  That's a long ways down.

If you want that perspective, you can read this slightly whimsical version of this hike in 2013 where little birds and goats mocked me as we took this walk.

Let's just say that I can understand how this rock and tree, apparently best buddies, can appreciate the views of the canyons from some great seats.  But, I am not certain I could handle the stress of being that close to the edge.

At least the sky is a nice blue.

Once we got to this point, we stopped in some shade and sat on a nice rock that had situated itself FURTHER form the edge (thankyouverymuch).  We both agreed that Tammy had reached her goal (and possibly her limit) at this point and perhaps she would wait here while Rob went ahead and got a few pictures to share with her.

So, I hiked down the ridge to an interior trail that leads to this little waterfall that fills a shallow pool.  

The good news is, I've done this hike before, so I knew what to expect as far as the trail was concerned.  The first time around, I didn't know where we had to go, so there was a fear that you'd take a wrong turn and experience gravitational acceleration in an up-close and personal way.  But, even knowing where I was going, there was still a little bit of "eek" going on in the brain.

I got to the waterfall.  Looked back.

And there was Tammy!  She informed me that it would be a shame to have come as far as she did without getting to this point.  

Ok then.

So, we took the other spur that leads to the main drop of the Waipo'o Falls.  The climb down to this was going to be too much, so you'll just have to settle with this picture.

We did good, we did.

We climbed back up to the ridge after enjoying the falls for a while and rested in the shade again.  

And, we took a picture of the foot.  Good job foot!

For those who are not familiar, this is Waipo'o Falls in all 800 feet (or so) of its glory.  We walked the ridge that is to the left of the falls and stood just above that first drop that is visible from this viewpoint on the other side of Waimea Canyon.

And then we walked back. It took us about three and half hours to complete both directions.  Yes, we were slower than most hikers and we stepped aside to let people pass many times.  But, speed wasn't the point.  Safety and proper care while stretching what we could do WAS the point.

That, and we love the canyon.  That's a pretty good reason for doing it too.

As we walked back out, we made sure to pay homage to some of the giant evergreen trees that are at the side of the road when things even out.  I am not sure what these trees are, but they can make a person feel pretty small.  Tammy is about even with them in this picture.

And then, as I walked up the road with Tammy, I noticed our little friend, the Glory Bush.

Invasive or not.  It was pretty.  And it was an appropriate summation of this trip.  We had the promise of potential success and ended up achieving it.

Achievement Unlocked - Canyon Trail at the Waimea Canyon to Waipo'o Falls.