Aiea Loop Bisectional Trail

Trailhead

Description: This curiously named trail does what it says: it cuts the Aiea (Keaiwa Heiau) Loop Trail right down the middle. A wonderful, secluded trail off-the-beaten-path, it takes you away from the popular loop, sometimes crowded Aiea Loop Trail and descends an woodsy, shady, ungraded spur ridge to the intermittent Aiea Stream. Don't fear: both ends of this trail junction with the official loop trail. When you get to the bottom, call it a day by turning right to exit the Aiea Loop Trail (at the lower trailhead) about 0.25-mile away. Or, to make a more interesting variation to the loop-hike, turn left and continue counter-clockwise (about 4 miles) to experience the rest of the loop. What to Expect: This trail follows the top of an ungraded spur in its finest sense - clean and almost entirely a gentle descent. There are no steep descents requiring ropes or other aids. Vegetation in the upper half is typically just the large, pine and gum trees which line both sides of the mossy spur. The going is a piece of cake at this point! As you descend lower into the gulch, the vegetation thickens a bit and becomes more scrubby and lush but very manageable - the trail is still easily followed and you aren't fighting to get through. When you reach bottom, the vegetation turns cluttered with various weeds under the cover of ginger. You may have to push and ram-rod a bit, during overgrown conditions, for about 50-yards until you reach the obvious junction with the loop trail. Trailhead Location: The bisectional trail "short circuits" Aiea Loop Trail, thus both trailheads are along said Loop Trail. The trailheads (entry/exit) are neither marked nor are there posted signs. Only a foot-trodden swath denotes the proper junctions along Aiea Loop Trail. Upper trailhead (entry): The upper entry point (Which is along the upper portion of the Loop Trail) is best described as a "breezy" area along a short, straight section of Aiea Loop, amongst sparsely-located trees. In this shady area, the trail can definitely be seen on the right side assuming you are walking Aiea Loop clockwise (upper to lower trailhead). It immediately contours away from the Loop and to the right in a back-tracking (returning to parking lot), downhill direction. Lower trailhead (exit): The lower trailhead, which normally serves as this trail's exit, is not very discernable and difficult to spot (thus it is better to exit, versus enter, here). Essentially, it is at the point Aiea Stream cuts through the Aiea Loop Trail as it meanders toward the lower trailhead/parking lot. This junction is approximately 0.25-mile from Aiea Loop's lower trailhead. Accessing the Trail: To reach this trail, you must use the Aiea (Keaiwa Heiau) Loop Trail. This is not an officially recognized trail but it does reside in a public access state park (along an open trail). See the Aiea (Keaiwa Heiau) Loop Trail for directions and park access information. Property/Access: Open/public-access. Public access and trail maintenance overseen by State Parks Division. Dangers/Other Considerations: Be careful! There are several alternate and bypass trails along the official Aiea Loop Trail, some which do and others which don't run parallel - you can easily mistake one of those trails for this one. Remember, this trail is in the middle of Aiea Loop's terrain. In other words, you're on the wrong trail if you find yourself descending into the "larger" valleys of Kalauao (to the north/west) or Halawa (to the south/east). Do not attempt this variation if this is your first time on Aiea Loop or if you are very inexperienced with navigating through overgrowth or streambeds. As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement.	Upper Trailhead (junction along Aiea Loop Trail)
	Trail (upper section)
	Trail (upper section)
	Trail (middle section)
	Trail (lower section)
	Aiea Streambed (near lower trailhead)