Waimanu

Our adventure to Waimanu

On our way home - Z trail overlooking Waipio

Let me start by explaining that the trip to Waimanu was one of the most physically demanding and challenging things I have ever done...ever in my life.  I am not a physically fit or active person.  And I severely underestimated the ruthlessness of this trip.  

To get to Waimanu Valley, you must hike through Waipio Valley, up the Z-trail on the side of a mountain, cross 2 rivers, and traverse rocks the entire 9 grueling miles.  

Make sure to pack plenty of water for the grueling hike.  You can find water once you get to Waimanu (hiking for 15 minutes or so past campsite 9).  Make sure to bring some type of water purification system or tablets.  We arrived at dark and were out of water.  To get to the water source, we passed multiple large boars.  Plus the footing up to the water spicket (climbing up wet rocks) was a little scary at night.

Once in Waimanu, there wasn't as much firewood as I would have expected.  It's obvious that people camp there on a fairly regular basis.  We brought a camp stove with butane and that was a great idea.   Try to pack as light as possible but don't skimp on the food.  We packed tuna fish packets, jerky  protein bars, couscous, and a few dehydrated meals.  I bought some dried salami that didn't need refrigeration    It was delicious.  We also packed those Starbucks instant coffee packets - they were great.  

When packing, there are many things to consider.  Pack light but be prepared. Here's a list of some of the items I found most valuable:

• Camp stove with butane
• Lighters
• Bug spray (small bottle)
• Sunscreen
• Water  
• Iodine water purification tablets
• Neosporin 
• Hand sanitizer and camp soap (which I used to wash dishes and my hair)
• A great wind & water proof tent  (it was very windy and rained our second night;  our tent was from REI and was wonderful.  My friends bought a cheap tent from walmart and they were soaked and had to get up in the middle of the night to put rocks in the sides of the tent to hold it down.  REI was definitely the way to go)
• A lightweight sleeping bag or blanket (I bought a NorthFace summer sleeping bag - it never gets that cold in Hawaii - maybe the low 60s at night year round)
• A camping pillow (after the brutal hike, you'll want a good night's sleep)
• A thermarest (although these are a little expensive, I highly recommend. They're lightweight and durable.  Easy to pack and more comfortable than pool floats or air mattresses.   Our friends brought pool floats and they popped the first night.  The ground is really hard so I'd splurge on this)
• Toilet paper (there are outhouses but I wouldn't use the toilet paper - if there is any.  The outhouses are quite disgusting and I'd recommend opening the door and beating on the door frame for a minute as there were TONS of bugs)
• Headlights or flashlights of some sort
• Aleve or Ibuprofen
• Camera
• Cellphone (although you will not have any service after the top of the Z-trail out of Waimanu, I have been told that if there's any emergency - you can use the emergency call button to obtain satellite service to make an emergency call;  fortunately never had to try but just in case...)
• Rope (to make a clothesline and dry all of your clothing)
• Hiking backpack (we used NorthFace packs that you can buy at Sports Authority; I highly recommend these packs for their ability to disperse weight.  PACK LIGHT)

We did not bring - but I really wish we had - some type of blister repair.  I wore a pair of Merrell's Hiking Shoes and my feet were covered in blisters.  My friends wore five - fingers shoes and they also had blisters.  I think the five - fingers may've been a better way to go only because they're waterproof.  

Any time you camp in Hawaii- DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SHOES OUTSIDE!   Centipedes love dark places so make sure to keep your shoes in the tent, the tent zipped, and beat your shoes before putting them on.   

Would I ever hike to Waimanu again?  Absolutely not.  It was beautiful.  I'm glad I did it.  But I completely underestimated the difficulty involved.  It took me several days to recover.  

While we camped, there were a few others out there (which I was surprised).  We were the only people who had a permit.   I cannot imagine anyone checking the permit while you're there but I'd hate to hike all that way and then get kicked out.  Plus it's nice to reserve your campsite.   

Here are some pictures from our trip:

This is the first water crossing out of Waimanu - it apparently
wasn't that deep on the day we  left.  The current was a little strong. 

Another view of the first water crossing

Part of the trail

Thankfully, we were almost there.
 One of our first glimpses in to Waimanu Valley

It was a magically beautiful area

This is the last water crossing (heading in to Waimanu).  There's a nice rope
 that was stretched over the water to help keep your balance.
  Be careful here too - the current was also a little strong.  

This is our campsite complete with our REI tent and a clothesline that our friends brought.
 I'm fairly certain we stayed at campsite 2
 (our friends had been there before and knew which site was best)

Some of the outhouses 

Another view of the rope stretched over the water heading in to Waimanu

One of the waterfalls

A nice view of the valley

Another view of our campsite

Outhouses

During the hike, you'll pass 4 emergency helipads.   When we got to the first, I actually cried.
 I couldn't believe we still had 7 miles to go.  I was already exhausted.  

Finally - the 4th helipad

The black sand beach in Waimanu - past campsite 9

I was told the distance is measured from the start of the Z trail.
 If you have to hike the 1 1/2 miles from the top  of
 Waipio to the Z trail - that's in addition to these miles.   

A view of Waipio from the Z trail - note the steep road out of
Waipio on the side of the mountain

Part of the trail