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Today's objective was to finish the connector from the WWW left trail to the Water Works exit trail. I've been working on the WWW Left trail the last two outings reaching it the same way each time. I wanted to get there by doing something different....my path is on the below map. I went counter clock-wise:
First using the Water Works Trail as far as the Ramble with a stop at Plantation Tunnel #2 to see the water flow.
Then I took the Ramble turning right to Secret Site #2 to check out the growth of the young Lonomea tree we found there and the growth of the weeds.
After that I took the Water Walls and Water (WWW) crossing Hobb's Ridge where I had my lunch break and then continued on it to the junction where it comes up from Secret Site #1.
That is the beginning of the WWW Left trail. I took it across two dry stream bed until I reached the point where I wanted to start the connector.
I marked the path down to the Water Works Exit Trail w/very little clearing, but putting up lots of Orange ribbons.
Where the exit trail intersects with the Wai`anae Ramble I turned right and took the Ramble all the way to the CRider Falls Trail which when leaving the Ramble is known as Bail out #7.
I took #7 down to the paved road and back to my truck.
Fifty minutes into the hike I reached Kanewai Dam #2 and took a short break.
After leaving the dam I followed the pipeline up to the Ramble Trail (yellow) w/a stop to look at Plantation Tunnel #2. It's still flowing but needs more work to finish draining all the water backed up in the tunnel.
Reached Secret Site #2 around 11 a.m. where I took my 10 o'clock break. I started an hour late so didn't need the 10 O'clock snack break until 11. Site is still looking pretty clean. Not that many weeds grew back this winter.
After the break I headed out on the WWW (Water Walls and Water) trail and took this picture of the "Rock Face" section. When Baron was here he commented that this would make for some cool "bouldering".
Along the base of the Rock Face are lots of cool looking ferns.
After the Rock Face section come the "Paper Bark" forest which was planted about 100 years ago to help hold the soil after cattle ate just about all the native plants in this area.
Cute little Peperomia growing on a tree trunk.
Nice "weed" with pretty yellow flowers.
My guess is some hunting dogs caught a mongoose and the hunter hung it in a tree so the dogs wouldn't fight over it. This was on the Water Works exit trail above the intersection w/the Wai`anae Ramble.
Back on the Wai`anae Ramble and thanks to whoever carried the water hose up here and tied it to a tree on the down slope into Hiu Gulch.
Also along the Ramble were these quarter sized mushrooms.
Walking down the paved road returning to my car I marveled at the beauty of the Silk Oak trees in full flower.
Link to the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club's Home Page
Link to Island Trails by Kaleo Lancaster
Link to David Conception's Hikes and Videos