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 Kaipapa'u Gulch
is located between Ko'loa Gulch and the Ma'akua Gulch. It's the dark purple trail on the maps at the left and below.
Drive toward Hauula and turn up Kawaipuna Street (The street after Tamuras if you're coming from Laie.)
Follow Kawaipuna around until it ends with a chain across the pavement as in photo at right.Walk up the pavement until you get to the water tower. The trail starts at the left of the water. I used my gps to record the tracks and stats. Total distance (one way) is 3.5 Miles with a max altitude of 930 feet. The Kaipapa'u trail and hike is similiar to it's neighboring gulch - Ko'loa. The trail starts off under the canopy and is fairly easy to hike for the first mile and half. You just got to make sure that you follow the pink trail markers. The second two thirds of the hike is mostly through the stream and rock-hopping (not much trail to follow, although the pink ribbons are still visible along the way). Remember, stream rocks, when wet are VERY slippery, step slowly and carefully. Many a hiker, even the most experienced, has gone ‘down’ on wet rocks. The stream leads to a waterfall about 90 feet in height with a large pool to swim and cool off in. Be aware of the potential danger of Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease sometimes found in fresh water pools (it can gain entrance through your mouth or the smallest skin cuts). |
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