Ani Trone

The Na’Pali Coast hike was another adventure on our vacation to Kauai that I was really looking forward to doing. We again didnt arrive at the trailhead early so parking was really tough to find. We ended us parking in front of the cave entrance down the street from the trail entrance. I thought for sure we would be towed, as this was not part of the parking area for the trail but Rick proved me wrong and we got away with it.

We decided to just do the beginning section of the Kalalau trail brings you to Hanakapi`ai beach (2 miles in) with the option to hike an additional 2 miles up Hanakapi`ai Valley to the falls.

Trail begins at Ke`e Beach traveling along high ocean-side cliffs.  Narrow path passes in and out of several valleys with steep inclines and declines.  Trail conditions may range from muddy puddles to dry, crumbly rock. This particular day the trail was slippery and there was a ton of foot traffic.

I would say pack light, bring water, sunglasses, a hat and good hiking shoes/boots. We passed a gentleman laying down on the trail from exhaustion. Rick and I hike often and it was a really good hike but we watched a bunch of people after hiking the 2 miles in swimming pretty hard into some tough waves in the heat of the day and then watched those same people struggle to get back out on the trail.

Here is the Hanakapi’ai Trail official website advice for hiking this trail:

Not Good For
Those that do not have strong endurance and are not in good physical condition.

Hazards
Extreme inclines and declines on uneven, narrow footpath on high cliffs.  Loose rocks underfoot and from eroding cliffs above.  Trail is slippery when muddy.  Strong sun, little shade.  Heavy backpacks can cause overexertion.  Filter all water.  Strong currents and flash flooding can occur at the river.  Dangerous shorebreak and riptides at Hanakapi`ai beach – use extreme caution.

I really enjoyed seeing this part of the trail by foot, we stopped and chatted with volunteers, that maintained the trail, and you could tell from the shape they were in that this was going to be a great hike. Our only wish is we had started earlier in the day so we could have finished the hike to the waterfall, but hey that gives us something else to do when we return in the next few years

Added a couple of surf shots, didnt have a telephoto lens for these shots but I enjoyed them nonetheless!

Enjoy Bellas!

Shot with Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

Hideaways Beach is a quiet, small private beach below a steep path from the Puu Poa condo complex in Princeville that Rick and I found on trip to Kauai this past January. The water was clear and crisp and the day was so amazingly beautiful and surreal. We didn’t have any plans but just to relax, read a book and snorkel.

There was one other couple on the beach, they more than likely owned a condo in the complex and left shortly after we arrived. The beach isnt very big but the views were! We saw whale spouting in the distance and two surfers came down with their faithful lil pup.

Rick said the snorkeling was great, he saw some amazing fish and I believe a turtle. We stayed for a couple hours basking in the sun until a larger party came down to enjoy the beauty of Hideaways Beach, then we had to be off for our next adventure.

Enjoy Bellas!

Shot with Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens 

Today we are no longer off the coastline of the Na’Pali and we are far below the ridge line of Waimea Canyon sharing my one request on our 10th anniversary vacation to Kauai…Horseback Riding!

Rick and I agreed to pick at least one thing each to do while on vacation, his pick comes tomorrow; and I booked us a horseback ride and waterfall hike on Princeville Ranch. Rick was a little hesitant at first seeing how he doesn’t even ride our own horses at home, now I’m asking him to ride a horse he doesn’t even know!

Princeville is a 2500 acre working ranch with a full staff of 70 and brangus cattle run by the Carswell family. The Ranch spans from ‘mauka’ (on the mountain side) to ‘makai’ (ocean side) and all the way from Hanalei to the edge of Kalihiwai Valley. Located on the north shore of Kaua’i, Princeville Ranch Adventures is family-owned and operated, offering exclusive zip lining, horseback riding, kayaking and hiking tours.

Here is a quote from the Princeville Ranch website:

“Princeville horseback rides have always offered a distinctive experience: guests are allowed to spread out as they roam across open pastures, providing more than the common ‘nose-to-tail’ ride. Riders enjoy another unique feature: riding through the cattle herd and in season, seeing the newborn calves. The Carswells also have been pioneers in natural horsemanship, providing a full program of lessons and training over the years. ”

This was a fun day, the ranch horseback tours are run like clockwork, but yet the staff are friendly and laid back, which brings us to our wrangler/tour guide for the day Scott. He could not be a nicer guy with plenty of knowledge of the ranch for only being there 2 months. He made everyone feel comfortable on their horses and lead a flawless ride to the waterfall.

At the waterfall a lunch is prepared while riders are allowed to take a dip to cool off from the trail ride. There is a changing area as well for those that packed in their swimsuits. The waterfall is nice and quaint and the water was cool but not too cold for taking a dip.

After lunch we hike the loop  to the top of the waterfall where we attach our harness cables to a line in order to cross the falls. From there we scale a 10ft wall where we meet up another trail that brings us back to where we tied up the horses in preparation for the hike to the lunch spot.

Some guest did not read the website so if you happen to take this tour some items to bring are hiking shoes or water shoes with traction, swim suits, sunglasses, bug spray and a fun attitude.

Oh and btw, we did not only have a great time but we did remember to kiss our horse and tip our wrangler!

Enjoy Bellas!

Shot with Nikon D90 12.3MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 18-105 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens with the exception of the photos I’m in, those were shot by my hubby Rick with his GoPro HD HERO2: Outdoor Edition (New Model).