The ocean was much more calm than it had been the previous week, when it had been dominated by trade winds and rough seas. The beach, while still dangerous (per numerous signs) at least looked inviting:
Unfortunately, as with some places in the Sierra, the duck-and-cairn epidemic has gotten out of hand:
A bit from this junction the trail passes an old campground area, which is now just a landing place:
The first mile or so heading up Hanakapiai stream was along a well-defined trail--formerly a horse path to a coffee plantation, the old fireplace of which was still standing in a bamboo forest:
After that, the route was more of a use-trail, but at least it was well-signed:
The trail ends at a decent view of the falls where signs warn of the dangers of rockfall further up:
Of course, everyone proceeded past this point to the beautiful pool at the base of the falls:
A small cave above the pool provided a nice place to get a typical tropical-falls-and-pool shot:
We hung out at the falls for awhile before heading back to the beach:
The hike to and from the falls was warm and humid, but the area around the falls themselves had been cool and refreshing. The slog back to Ke'e beach was very warm--no more breeze from the trade winds to keep the heat in check.
That was my last hike in Kauai--for this trip. I'll definitely return, but until then, there's a lot of the Sierra waiting to be explored.
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