Koloa Gulch (Stream) Trail

Trailhead

Description: While it takes considerably longer to reach than other waterfall trails (i.e. Manoa Falls, Sacred Falls, Lulumahu Falls), the long hike is amply rewarded with a beautiful double-level waterfall with two deep swimming pools. The ridge portion allows gorgeous views of some of Oahu's remote northeast territory. And, the seemingly endless stream crossings, which may be unmarked, will test your hiking judgement on the fly. The headwaters are about a mile upstream in the vicinity of Puu Kainapuaa (the same headwaters of Kawainui Stream which heads to Haleiwa). However, the rock-face waterfall and sheer cliffs to both sides blocks any continuation past this point. What to Expect: The trail starts off completely unrelated to stream hiking. After a quick meander around what was once a small, man-made irrigation lake (now a grassy meadow in which there are dumped toilets), the trail heads up to a small saddle in the ridge. A rapid climb through pine trees ensues, but it is nothing steep enough to require four-point climbing. Once on top of the ridgeline, the steepness subsides and the ascent continues to the junction (elev. 400-ft). The junction may be marked by ribbons and will be on your right-hand side: a narrow but graded trail that heads deeper into the gulch. Once in the gulch, do not expect an obvious trail, especially as you probe farther in! If lucky, the trail may still marked by ribbons affixed to nearby tree trunks and branches. The distance between stream crossings shortens and the size of the mid-stream boulders you need to climb through/over grows with every stream crossing completed. The trail virtually vanishes about halfway through the hike, save a handful of obvious footpath stretches. Pushing deeper, the gulch narrows and steepens considerably and the ridges to both sides grow higher. As such, the deep, V-shaped nature of the gulch keeps you centered along the stream (it's not like wandering around a wide forest floor). In other words, the general theme of the trail shifts from hiking along the stream to hiking in the stream. This is far more pronounced after you pass the main stream fork. You need to watch both sides of the stream to note which side you should be hiking on. Often, the ribbons only indicate when you should cross - if they happen to be there! Remember, you cross the stream times before reaching the main stream fork! At the fork, where a significantly-steep, pillar-like ridge emerges to split the gulch in two, keep to the right. The waterfalls and pools are approximately 30 minutes from this point. (The stream hike to the left also ends in waterfall/pool combination but it is a longer trek and is not as spectacular.) Trailhead Location: The trailhead is the same for both the gulch and ridge trails. It is marked by a flagpole and landscaped, concrete memorial structure erected in honor of Jonathan Taylor - a Boy Scout who was killed in Koloa Gulch when the stream flash-flooded in 1994. The trail, which initially heads into Aakakii Gulch, begins through the nearby fence and thick grass about 15 feet to the left of the memorial. To find the memorial, head straight ahead from the dirt road (Aakakii Gulch Road) as it swings left. You should see a metal chain spanning two fence posts at the entrance and about 30 feet after is the memorial. Aakakii Gulch Road connects to the highway immediately opposite of the house addressed 55-147 Kamehameha Hwy (Rte 83). This is 0.3-mile north (Kahuku-bound) of Kokololio Beach Park. Accessing the Trail: The trailhead and Kokololio Beach Park, often where hikers park, lies in the border area between the towns of Hauula and Laie. There are no physical barriers to accessing the ridge or the gulch. However, the trail is within private property and requires permission to access. Contact Hawaii Reserves, Inc., the Mormon Church's property management arm, main offices in person at Laie Shopping Center or via telephone. Property/Access: Unofficial/unmaintained trail Dangers/Other Considerations: Koloa Gulch involves a significant amount of rock-hopping, boulder-climbing, and stream-fording with all inherent dangers related to them. Rocks and boulder are often loose, slippery, and/or mossy and slipping can be murder to your ankles! Most dangerous, however, is the nature of this gulch. While not as treacherous as Kaluanui (Sacred Falls) or Maakua, it does have qualities akin to them: tall, sharp, boulder-filled ridges towering over a relatively narrow, fast-moving stream. The main threats are from the potential landslides and rockfalls as well as the possibility of severe and warning-less flash-flooding. Remember, a boy scout was killed by a sudden flash-flood which developed as he was in Koloa Gulch.	Rockhopping Along the Trail (Typical Terrain- Koloa Stream) Photo by Nathan Yuen
	Pool at Trail Terminus (End of Right Stream Fork) Photo by Nathan Yuen
	Waterfall Beyond Trail Terminus (Above-Right of Pool) Photo by Nathan Yuen