After the canyon and coastal vistas, we decided to take a hike on the Awaawapuhi trail. This trail promised a 1000 foot drop throughout the trail and promised a 2500 foot sheer cliff to view the Northwest shore of Kauai. Let's just say the view at the end did not disappoint.
Even more after the break!
Again, our fearless travel guide Joe came prepared with a very nice Osprey daypack full of water, granola bars, trail mix, and even a first aid kit. As he puts it, "I have kids, so I need to be prepared for even an alien invasion".
Joe and Amy at near the start of the Awaawapuhi trail hike.
The first real clear view from the trail didn't happen until around 2/3rds mark, maybe about 2.5 miles in. We had a rare clear view of the island of Ni'ihau. Apparently, seeing the Northwest beach so clearly is quite the treat. Even Joe had never seen it so clearly.
Ni'ihau in its clear splendor.
Of course, just because Amy and myslef had the day off doesn't mean that the other groups we were with weren't working. The rough seas and lack of proper moorings did not hinder work on the Maggie Joe or the 58' Beneteau. Oh, did I not mention the sailboat? Yeah, the other 'work' boat was this gorgeous sailboat that required us 'lay' people to remove their shoes before boarding. Pretty sure that those who were performing their work on that boat were being served caviar and champagne. It was pretty fun to watch the animosity between the motor boaters (Maggie Joe) and the blow boaters (Beneteau), especially after a couple of rounds at the bar!
The Beneteau leaving Port Allen for the Northwest side of Kauai.
Anyways, here we are hiking along the trail looking out over the water when, of course, we spotted the Maggie Joe and the Beneteau. We tried our best to wave, but I'm not sure they saw. Upon later investigation, one of the people said they were waving back, but only with one finger. Must have been lazy?
Maggie Joe and the Beneteau from the Awaawapuhi trail
One interesting plant that caught my eye looks like a white grape with an emerging flower popping out from the bottom. Most of these plants/flowers must have been still young and hadn't bloomed fully yet. They still took me for grapes for a few moments before I got up close. Anyone know what they are?
The grapeflower....of course.
Did I mention the 2500 foot shear drop? Yeah, breathtakingly spectacular.....
The end of the Awaawapuhi trail.
Yeah, no shit Sherlock.
On the way out, we stopped to get one more look at Waimea canyon from a different lookout spot. Actually that spot allowed views of the canyon at one end and Ni'ihou on the other. Again, the clarity of the day was unbelievable.
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon
The last parting shot of Ni'ihau.
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