The Poamoho Trail is perhaps one of the best of the CCC trails on the island of O`ahu.
The Poamoho trail is part of the Oahu Ko`olau Summit Trail complex. The trail was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corp as a result of collaboration between the Territory of Hawaii's Forestry Division and the United States Army in soliciting Congress for the critically needed emergency conservation work funds. During this period, trails were constructed in the Ko`olau Mountains of O`ahu, for the purpose of improving access to remove feral animals and for military defense. Over the ensuing years, the Poamoho trail became one of the premier recreational hiking trails to the summit of the Ko`olaus. For the past few years access to the trail was blocked by Dole Foods because of damage to equipment and dumping on their lands which block access from the main highway. Trail access has again become open to the public with some restrictions in 2007. See below:
In order to hike this trail you must be w/someone who owns a 4 wheel drive and have a permit from the State of Hawai`i.
To get your permit go to the following web page: http://www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.asp?TrailID=OA+08+007&island=Oahu
To reach the summit you must drive 6 miles along a dirt road which can at times be very muddy and dangerous. There are 3 gates along the road and each is locked and each lock has a different combination. Then you hike an additional 3 miles to the Ko`olau Summit. The first 2 miles of the trail are maintained by the State. The last mile is NOT. It will be muddy as are the first 2 miles.
The first picture was taken at the end of the jeep road as we got ready to head for the summit. We began the hike around 9:15 a.m.
The state build this obstacle at the trail head to keep motorcycles and other off road machines off the trail.
