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Today Dan and I headed over to the Windward side of the island to help HTMC clear the Castle Trail. This is probably the "best", "most beautiful" trail on the island. Once upon a time it was in great shape, probably early in the last century. At one time the trail width was probably 4-5 feet as it contoured higher and higher up a series of switch-backs and then over a ridge to "another world", and in time leading to the Ko`olau Summit.
Dan would head out toward the summit along w/others who would clear the upper sections. I would stay low as I did last year working on cutting the guava back to the trail "wall". Last year I used a hand saw and my 30" loppers. This year I went high tech using my 12" chain saw. Here is a link to my first time on the trail in 2007:
http://www.waianaecrider.com/Hikes/2007/Castle/01.htm
For some reason I have no pictures of the 2008 clearing which took place in June of the year. We arrived about 8 a.m. at the entrance to Punalu`u Valley and waited for the gate to be opened. After what seemed like everyone had arrived the gate was opened and we drove in about 1/2 mile to this parking area.
From here we piled into SUV's and trucks w/4WD and headed mauka about 2 miles deeper in the valley.
