Forbidden Island

Despite several torrential rain storms on Friday and Saturday, and the uncertainty of our Sunday hiking plan to Forbidden Island, we are met with a bright and clear Sunday morning sky. We are further pleasantly surprised by the improved Forbidden Island Road to the trail head as it is twice the previous width and loosely paved. We meet with the hikers at the grassy field where the lookout is. After a brief view of the ocean and a short exploration in the neighborhood, we make a quick head count of the attending hikers: Sparky, Dora, Cowboy, Bruiser, Sherpa-Jane, Giggles, Adam, Lee, WonderWoman, Rexplorer, and CC, make a team of 11. We double back to the trail head to begin the hike.

A beautiful sunrise witnessed by Cowboy, Lee, and Rexplorer. From here one can see the Island. Many tourists will stop only here and admire the Island without going down the slope to get closer to the water and the more spectacular scenery.

Winding down the slope through the pine trees. The upper trail is mostly formed by rain run-offs and covered with pine needles, and the many trees along the trail are easy hand grips for balance.

A first glimpse of the white water below.

This outer cove has no beach and it is basically inaccessible.

The Forbidden Island looms beyond, it is an impressive first close view of this massive rock. With the sun in the back, the island looks even more mysterious and foreboding.

One of two drop-offs that provides a rope for easing down the boulder. Here the loose sand slope is deeply gouged out. Sparky makes it down while WonderWoman steps carefully on the rock below. 

WonderWoman is down and Sherpa-Jane takes a big step down the next level. 

Giggles and son Adam stand on the mostly rocky beach, assessing the white caps and waves crashing onto the rocky shore.

With high surfs and rough water, the original plan of crossing over and climbing to the top of the island becomes too much a challenge for most of the hikers. Rexplorer takes an initial scouting  tour over the white water, and comes back to help anyone else who wishes to go over. Here Sparky and Bruiser get ready for it.

Rexplorer entering the foamy wash tub water.

Sparky joins Rexplorer and Bruiser who seem to be in deep water!

Adams decides to join in, while Sparky takes a break. Soon the four of them landed on the base of the rock, and disappear behind the giant boulders toward the vertical trail leading to the top.

The rest of the hiking group spend time waiting for the adventurers and posing for photos. Notice the ladies are all dressed ready to wade in the water and to climb the big rock. Here they just climb the small rock. WonderWoman (aka Pipi Longstocking), Sherpa-Jane, and Giggles.

Pipi Longstocking

The sun rays dashing across the top of the rock, silhouetting the three daredevils near the edge of the cliff. According to the three, there are quite a lot of plant growths on top, in addition to a one-foot wide and deep crack. The vertical trail is quite a challenge to ascend and descend, requiring some strength and steady nerves. 

Lee, Dora, and Cowboy find themselves another rock to climb on top. Whether onto big rock or small, everyone has a chance to climb!

Appearing like sea monsters, the three climbers suddenly rise from the water, having taken a cool swim returning to the "mainland".

Casualties of water sports - Rexplorer's Five-fingers Vibram and CC's sandals all come unglued.

Meanwhile, Cowboys has not a care in the world.

After a hearty snack break, where as always, loads of good eats are spread out and eaten, we take our group photo of Sparky, Giggles, Adam, WonderWoman, Rexplorer, Dora, Cowboy, Sherpa-Jane, Bruiser, Lee, and CC.  

Rexplorer has places to go and people to see, so he takes off first up the steep climb back to the top. Sparky and WonderWoman follow suit to their respective destinations. The rest of the group take another path to the tide pools and the cold pool. Although the sun is out and strong, it is still cool with strong wind blowing.

Back on the trail. Going up is definitely more taxing. But we stop a few times to rest and admire the scenery.

With the sun more overhead and the contour of the island more visible, we can see the near vertical trail to the top, and the rugged formation of the island. We all agree that we will return when the weather is more calm and the water less choppy. 

Although the total time of the hike is 4 hours, we have actually taken a lot of time resting and visiting while the climbers are busy exploring. Another five-sneaker hike!

Oba and Beyond

After our record-breaking long hike last week to the B29 and Oba Trail, this week we decide to visit the Oba Cave itself for those who have never, or have not for a long time, seen the cave. Notice goes out that we will park at Gold's Gym, then go through the park, up to the trail head in China Town for the hike up to the cave, explore, and then double back down. Barring anything unexpected, the hike should be average in length and difficulty.

At 6:30 a.m. Sunday, another record-breaking event: sixteen happy faces show up at the parking lot. A quick head count shows Handy, Cutie, Sherpa-Jane, Sparky, Thor, Ewok, Lee, Dora, Cowboy, Doc, Penny, WonderWoman, PT-Shelly, Chris, Rexplorer, and CC, ready for another fun hike.   

Site of our parking at Gold's Gym. Since the gym is not open yet, there is a lot of space. We park on the outside of the main lot. To start the hike, we take a warm up walk through the Sugar King Park, just across from the gym.

A very pleasant and cool stroll takes us up to the Tori Gate in the park. The park is established to memorialize the very successful pre-war production of sugar on Saipan, Rota & Tinian that supplied Japan with sugar, and its founder Haruji Matsue. The park is very well maintained, giving us a chance to enjoy the early morning serenity. Here PT Shelly, Chris, Penny, Handy, and Doc crossing the threshold of the gate.

We climb up the Sugar Hill over a series of winding steps that take us to the east side of the park where a Buddhist Temple is located. The temple is still closed at this hour of the morning. As we circle the temple to the edge of the park, we come to a fence which surrounds the park. Not able to find an opened gate, we decide to climb over the lower portion of the fence.

Rexplorer hops over first, and Ewok offers his service as the human stepping stone. Here Thor propels herself from Ewok's locked palms and steps over the top of the fence. Rexplorer follows through with his helping hands.

It takes three to go over a fence! Ewok is using his muscles to hold up Handy's leg, as Rexplorer is determined to keep Handy steady while he maneuvers his leg over the top. Doc is looking for another spot to cross over.

The last to jump over the fence, Ewok lands on his rump, as Rexplorer, Sherpa-Jane and Sparky give him the applauds he so deserves. A good job well done...

A short walk from the park takes us down the gully where the tail head is. The gully is dry, but very rocky and at times slippery where the green moss covers the rocks. Sparky and Thor slowly negotiate their way up the trail.

As we near the cave, the trail becomes more difficult with hard to manage mini-cliffs. Here PT-Shelly climbs through two big boulders.

Lee climbs up this big rock as Rexplorer helps on the top and Thor helps at the base.

Here is a series of moss-covered rocks to conquer. Dora carefully watches her steps, while Cowboys looks back to make sure Handy is safe.

A steep climb. Small groups of hikers work their way up these tough ascends. Sometimes strength and flexibility are real beneficial for climbing up, and down, these rocks, with careful and firm placement of one's foot each step of the way. Cowboy and Handy are almost at the top, while Penny takes photos from down below, with Doc and Sherpa-Jane waiting in the wing.

A greatly happy and relieved Handy reaches the top of this big rock climb, with the help of Rexplorer and PT Shelly.

Doc lifts his leg for the next step up while Rexplorer offers his hand, and PT offers encouragement. 

Handy carefully makes his way up this narrow ridge to reach the next level of this continuously challenging climb. Sherpa-Jane has her hand outstretched to catch Handy in case he slips, while Rexplorer is ready to pull him up. Lee is already up, and WonderWoman keeps an eye on the scene.

Sparky has taken an alternative route up this part of the trail. In fact, the alternative route is the trail to take if we want to avoid the tough climb up the rocks. Sparky is up at the plateau watching Cutie almost reaching the top, while Handy and PTShelly follow. 

Rexplorer is pointing at the "easy" trail he and Sparky and Ewok have taken. The first of the Oba cave entrances is near the final climb up the rocks. The main entrance to the cave is further up where a rope is installed for walking up the slope to the cave opening. 

The main chamber of the cave is very large. Captain Oba, with his soldiers and more than 200 civilians used many caves around Mt. Tapochau to hide for about 16 months after the fighting was over, until his surrender in December of 1945. This cave has several sub-chambers and appear to be the largest of all the caves, natural or man-made. Cutie, Handy, and Thor give a good perspective of the size of the cave.

This sub-chamber leads to anther entrance/exit. Dora and Cowboy checking out the exit. 

After Oba Cave, we cross over the gully to the other side where the trail leading to the B29 is. Rexplorer points out the wide "road" built above this rock wall.

Just below the rock wall, on the slope, is an unexploded shell about 15 inches long. 

Another view of the rock wall. While several of us go across to the other side of the trail to explorer, the rest of the group remain on the road to chat and wait.

A mushroom "tree" right next to a foxhole on the slope. A number of foxholes are located on this hill, a sign that Oba's soldiers have probably used them for possible invasion. Although we spot a few caves, but they are small caves that might have been used for storage.

After everyone regroups on the "road", we decide it is a good time to have our snacks. All kinds of goodies are spread out on the tablecloth and in no time the ravenous hikers take good care of the snacks. 

Cowboy takes a rest cowboy style.

The whole group turn around and return to the merging trails where the main Oba cave is visible. On the way back, we take the upper trail, thus avoiding the rocky crevices and steep drops that we have taken on the way up. Going down is much faster and easier.

This unique looking mushroom appears on the trail.

Finally a group photo taken at the trail head. Front: Lee, Wonder Woman, Handy, Cowboy, Dora, Penny, CC. Back: Ewok, Sparky, Cutie, Thor, PT Shelly, Chris, Sherpa-Jane, and Doc. Missing: Rexplorer who has left earlier. 

A great hike all around. Lots of arm and leg work, lots to see, and lots of chatting. We return to the gym at 10 a.m.