Hello all!
I was just curious about something...
One of the things I%26#39;m really looking forward to doing with my husband is hiking the Kalalau Trail up to the H Beach and then to the falls.
But then I read a past thread yesterday about the fact that some could not go because of the weather being too rainy and flooding the stream. :(
I%26#39;d really like to make it to these falls but am I getting my hopes up?
We are going from April 10th to May 2nd. I know you can%26#39;t predict the weather every year, but on average, do you think I%26#39;ll have a shot or will it be closed most of the time during this time of year? WIll the local news say if it%26#39;s closed? I%26#39;d hate to drive up there at 6 am for nothing! :)
Thanks kindly!
Jen
How much of a chance do I have?
Oops! Sorry, I meant to fill in the H, but needed to find out the spelling! :)
Hanakapiai Beach
How much of a chance do I have?
it%26#39;s been bone dry for a week or more. Very few showers. I%26#39;d expect it%26#39;s fine right now.
By April ordinarily you should%26#39;t have a problem.
The State office that issues the trail permits would know. DLNR????
Yes, when there are heavy rainshowers on the North Shore (not just your evening rain and more than a few showers during the day), you should not cross any streams while hiking, even if they are not yet running high. Sometimes the weather service will issue a flash-flood advisory in those cases, but you should still be aware of the weather as you hike.
In general, do not cross a stream that is running with brown, muddy water. The reason for this is that it means runoff is high, and it might go higher, and the risk of leptospirosis (a waterborn bacteria like Girardia) is higher. Also, do not cross if the water is above your thighs, otherwise you run the risk of being washed away.
To find out about official trail closures (which are rare in that season, you can call the State Parks office the day before at 808-274-3444. If you%26#39;re not staying on the North Shore where you can see the weather (and hear if it rained all night), watch the weather on the evening news, in the daily paper or on the internet for Hanalei. Here%26#39;s one online site that lists the Severe Weather Alerts (for example, high surf right now):
weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USHI0015.html
You can also see the rainfall for the past 24 hrs (look at the Hanalei and Wainiha rain gauges) and rain forcast here, respectively:
…noaa.gov/hnl/graphics/hydro/KRAINFALL_24.gif
http://www.prh.noaa.gov/data/HFO/AGFHFO
I wouldn%26#39;t go hiking if there was more than half an inch of rain (50 hundredths) on the Hanalei and Wainiha gauges on that first map (see here: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/graphics/hydro/kauai_rra.gif)
To sum it up, by noticing the weather and looking inland while you%26#39;re on island, you can usually tell how rainy it is and how wet the trail is likely to be. And unless there%26#39;s a big rainy spell, the trail will be open, but you still need to know when to turn around if conditions change while you%26#39;re hiking.
And if you do end up hiking in the mud, it makes for a memorable hike :-)
Jen!! We will be there then also!!!!!! Where are you staying?
We%26#39;ve done that hike each of our four trips and have never had the stream to high to cross. We%26#39;ve done it twice when the trail was mostly ankle deep mud (November and December) and twice when it was almost entirely dry.(May and July) Trekking poles are a big help to keep your balance and keep from sliding when it is really muddy. Be sure to take plenty of water and wear clothes and footwear that you don%26#39;t care if you ruin. Figure on the round trip taking you at least 5-6 hours.
Looks like a good group of us will be doing part of the trail that month. We%26#39;re hiking to Hanakoa on the 24th I hope (and back out in the same day). Probably will get started around 6:00 am (we%26#39;re staying in Kalaheo (South), so we%26#39;ll have to get started from there around 5:00am I%26#39;m guessing (someone correct me if I%26#39;m wrong, we usually stay in Kapa`a but thought we%26#39;d try somewhere new this time). I%26#39;ve never hiked beyond Hanakapi`ai before, so I%26#39;m looking forward to it. KH has given some great tips.
The trail inland to the falls at Hanakapi`ai is pretty rough, so be prepared for that. It was bone dry last time we went, and no clouds/rain at the beach. But as soon as we got to the falls, it rained like it was the end of days. We briskly hiked out as the stream rose, and that was ';interesting'; to say the least. So keep an eye on the clouds mauka as well.
Thanks guys for all your info, I really appreciate it! I%26#39;ll have to keep my fingers crossed! :)
KauaiHiker, THANKS for the websites!!!
Maria m, We are staying at Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy in the East side (near Kapaa I think). What about you?
Jen
we%26#39;ll be at Prince Kuhio! Great price, nicest unit in the complex, good view. I swear the decision on where to stay has been harder than my weddng dress!
Jenp - Kauai Coast Resort (KCR) is an excellent choice in condo resorts on the east shore in south Kapa%26#39;a; I%26#39;ve stayed there twice. It%26#39;s right on the beach, behind the Coconut Marketplace (good shopping, a few restaurants/tavern, and even a movie theater). KCR has a nice pool and spa area with oceanviews, and is just a half mile south of Safeway %26amp; Foodland supermarkets to help stock up your condos kitchen if you like. The one and two bedroom condo units have nice furnishings in an island style, Air Conditioning (nice in summer)and have a washer/dryer in unit for doing laundry.
The Hukilau Lanai restaurant, which many consider the best (food, service, ambiance) on the island, is off the lobby of KCR... outdoor fine dinning with views of the tropical grounds, swaying palms and flickering tiki tourches. If you eat there, try to go before 6 p.m. for their Special Tasting dinner that includes five courses and five half glasses of wine for under $46/pp ($28/pp without the wine). And try their delicious ';Hot Lava'; Chocolate Cake for a decadent dessert.
Enjoy your trip to paradise... Aloha.
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