Finally, the announcement for the September hike! Hopefully, everyone will think it well worth waiting for. Kahua Ranch on Kohala Mountain has given KHC permission to hike on their property accompanied by a seasoned ranch guide, Harry Wishard. Our usual date of the third Saturday each month was not available, so the hike will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2009. KHC has not hiked there as a group since 2001, so this should be a most welcome new and different experience for most of us. And for you long timers with KHC, you will appreciate that Mr. Wishard is the son of Les Wishard who was one of the early leaders of KHC.
AT LONG LAST – a description of the September 26 hike, but first a correction as to the meeting place. Mr. Wishard’s home is located on the MAKAI side of Kohala Mtn. Rd. and not the mauka side as earlier stated.
We will meet at Mr. Wishard’s home located about ¼ mi. from the Kahua Ranch entry on the Kohala Mountain Road at 8 am. Coming from Waimea, look for his driveway .6 mi. past the 10 mi. marker on the MAKAI side of the road. Parking will be designated in a pasture area. 4wd vehicles will be required beyond that point, so if you can provide one, please do so.
We will be driving, 4wd vehicles only, from Mr. Wishard’s home up the mountain to a point where we will begin about a 45-minute, very steep climb up Pu’u Pili. There, weather permitting, we should enjoy spectacular views. The trail is likely to be muddy. From there, we will continue to another scenic location, with much of the hike being in forested land. The hike should last three to four hours.
All hikers should be prepared for unpredictable weather; while sunny weather is a possibility, so is windy, cool weather and rain. Bring at least two litres of water per person, wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots, sun protection and a snack or lunch. A hiking stick is preferable.
Participants desiring to carpool from Kailua-Kona may meet at 6:15 a.m. at Lanihau Center and depart no later than 6:30 a.m. They should park well away from the businesses in the corner of the lot near Buns in the Sun. A club leader will be at the carpool parking area. Carpoolers are requested to contribute for gasoline costs.
For additional information, contact Alice at 322-6481.
PLEASE NOTE: All members are welcome to bring guests or pass on information about our hikes to other hikers. However, if you do so, PLEASE make sure you direct them to the Kona Hiking Club website to review the hike announcement and description. We want to make sure that everyone is prepared for the specific hike we are doing that day, whether we’re facing mud, heat, cold, steep trails, rocky trails, high altitude, exceptionally long distances, etc. Mahalo for helping us keep everyone safe.
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