Secret Hike to top of Waipio Valley

  One of the coolest things we were able to do on this recent trip to the Big Island was to get permission to hike way up through private Parker Ranch lands to the very back top of Waipio Valley. We started off in the hills overlooking Waimea. Then on foot we followed a water irrigation road for a few miles. The dense forest up here was filled with the sounds of birds and the snow covered peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Load dominated the horizon.

  We passed by one bigger stream on our way to the top but everywhere else looked like a high elevation bog. Then, all of a sudden, the view opened up into a breathtaking scene of Waipio Valley like I had never seen it before. There was a sheer drop to the bottom of the crater where waterfalls cascaded down and collected in one big stream meandering thru the valley floor.

Heidi, Susie, and Becky

I'o, the Hawaiian Hawk!

  As we stood taking in the view a lone bird of prey flew not too high above us. It could only be one bird, the I'o, or Hawaiian Hawk. This is a very rare bird which can only be seen on the Big Island. As Heidi and I explored a bit farther up the rim we had a helicopter skim our heads as it came whirring out of the valley. I bet they were wondering how we were able to hike up here.

Heidi in front of Mauna Kea

Heidi's father hiking up the trail

John and Leslie in front of a cascading waterfall

Beautiful Waipio Valley