Coffee Farm - Revisit

Interests were high to revisit the Coffee Farm trail before the newly opened portions return to nature, and the farm is closed to public until next year's XTerra race. CC notifies everyone that we will take advantage of the morning coolness and do the road walk first, instead of saving it for the end of the hike when we would have to deal with the heat and traffic. 
Sunday morning we meet at a grassy lawn near the exit of the coffee farm. We enjoy the quiet morning and cool air.

Stop and smell the roses! Or in this case, no one knows the name of these flowers that look like plumeria but do not have the flagrance. Ewok confirms the finding.

A brief stop to look at a trail that may be the old trail to Oba Cave.

Two types of fern on the trail.

Rainbow way up high above RedEye and CB. A faint double ring is also visible. Everyone is energized by this beautiful sight and forgets the tough uphill climb. At the yellow bus stop where the trail head begins, we find the grass on the trail already starting to grow back.  

With more recent rainfall, mushrooms are popping up.

At one point on the winding path, signs of previous civilization is evident with this concrete wall. A tree uses the wall to anchor its roots.

We pause at the junction where the trail splits in two directions. A good place to take our first group photo, just in case any members of the group may decide to leave early: Cutie, RedEye, Thor, Rexplorer, Sparky, Ewok, CB and CC. From here we walk through the garden where fruit trees are labeled, and tour buses are ready to go. 

After the garden a short detour brings us to the Maui Wells, and a boonies stomp toward the upper road and a ranch.

Sparky and Cutie climbing up a steep bank over slippery rocks and mud. Fortunately there are many trees and roots to hold on to.

The cascading roots of several Taotaomona trees on top of a three-story high rock.

RedEye, aka Handy, gets a handful of push and shove from CB to get up this last bit of tricky slope.

A colony of grey mushrooms.

We have seen this tin wall last time, but now we get a better look at it. After this boonies section, we reach the upper Coastal Dr. and the gated ranch. We notice there has been action in clearing up debris from the typhoon. We are glad that we are making this hike before the access to this ranch is closed.

A white breasted dove, maybe waiting for his mate...

Another sign of activity where this shack, previously covered by overgrown vines, is now cleared, although there are still grass, vines, and a big bird's nest fern growing on top of the roof.

Very healthy looking heliconia plant.

A colony of little white mushrooms.

Another type of fern.

Onto the ravine and many obstacles. The recent rain is making this ravine trail more muddy and challenging. Isn't that the fun part of hiking? Thor is stepping down a muddy drop, being careful not to get any mud on her.

CB also uses the backing down method, coming away clean...

A thick layer of vine roots wrapping around this tree trunk as they both fall down and cut, creating a very interesting design.

Sparky and Thor crossing under a giant fallen tree.

A bouquet of gray mushrooms.

Apparently RedEye has used the butt-slide to get down the muddy bank. We encounter the bamboo forest that takes us up a steep slope to the coffee farm.

An open space makes a perfect spot for snacks. Even a brief and light shower does not dampen our good spirit.

Close up look at future coffee beans.

We have not lost anyone on the hike. A group photo at the exit of the farm: Cutie, Thor, Rexplorer, Ewok, Sparky, RedEye, CB (trying to look shorter), CC.

By the time we reach our cars, the hike has taken only 2.5 hours. It is still a great and most enjoyable hike! Five Sneakers!  

Oba Cave Trail - New

A whole new trail has been developed leading to the Oba Cave for the recent XTerra Race. The original trail from Navy Hill Road, destroyed by the typhoon, is probably too hard to clear. Of course we are delighted that we will be able to experience a new hike to the Cave. So instead of taking our usual uphill hike from China Town, we decide to follow the XTerra race directional arrows. The day after XTerra Race, we meet again, at 6:30, at the yellow bus stop on Navy Hill Road. From there we walk uphill toward Denfeld Ln. and the trail head.

A group photo (minus CC) at the trail head: Thor, RedEye, Giggles, Sparky, Cutie, and Marcia. Since the current trail runs right through private property, we want to make sure we hike on it right away before nature takes over and obliterates the passage.

Initially, all is open and level, so we are able to enjoy the lush field of ferns, birds nest, and various fruit trees that have been left intact on the trail. Soon we see signs of down trees and other fallen debris. Here Thor manages to scoot under this big tree trunk. From there it's all downhill!

Two-hand balancing act. RedEye hangs onto rock on one side and a tree on the other to gingerly make his way downhill. Thor and Sparky following behind, getting ready to butt-walk. The slopes are steep, and some rocks are made more loose by runners of the XTerra race the day before. Fortunately, we have a couple of dry days, so the previously muddy path is now relatively dry. Everyone is careful so no one slips. 

Numerous bird's nest ferns settle on tree trunks and branches overhead. Their leaves drape like bright green umbrellas decorating the forest. 

Giggles doing the squat-walk down another steep drop, with RedEye waiting his turn. Cutie and Marcia waiting down below, keeping an eye on Giggles and RedEye.

After crossing the intersection of the old and new trails, we make our way down the ravine toward Oba Cave. The ravine is rocky and mossy, with many opportunities for one to slip and fall. Using a sturdy pole and a gloved hand, we can keep a slow and steady footing down. We can see the results of having many runners "crashing" through the ravine, leaving leaves and branches on the trail. However, no damages done. 

Giggles and her mango stick, strong enough to keep her sure-footed, and to keep any intruders at bay. Here there are holes and sudden drops on both sides. We of course love the challenge!

Beautiful green moss covering most of the rocks. 

We arrive at the cave. Cutie sitting pretty waiting for everyone to get organized for visiting the inside of the dark cave. As it turns out, only two people have brought flashlights, so we decide to go in together.

Those who have not brought flashlights decide to use their cellphone which work out quite well. Cutie, Thor, and Sparky looking out the second cave entrance/exit. The cave has three entrances/exits, but only one that is conveniently situated. The building of the cave is attributed to Captain Oba (The Fox) with his troops during his hideout at the end of the war. 

 

Captain Oba and his troops surrendering on December 1, 1945.

A few short steps bring Sparky and Thor back to the exit of the cave, ending the cave visit. We decide to have our snacks in the ravine below the cave.

We also decide not to continue down the ravine to China Town where the lower trail head is located. Instead, we pack up and retrace our steps back up. The cave is visible from the ravine. 

Having dropped down all the way to the cave means we have to climb back up!

Marcia and Thor arrange the photo-op for the delicate white mushrooms and the bojobo nut pod. 

While Giggles struggles to climb up this rocky ledge, RedEye decides he must live up to his other hiking name of Handy, and gives Giggles a helping hand...he claims to have used only his fist! :-)

Up, up, up we go. Did we really come down this far on such steep slopes? Huff, huff, huff!

Time to take a break. 

We encounter the largest fern forest on island, as they spread on the hill side along Denfeld Ln, over the trail and beyond. After looking through a fern gallery of many types of ferns to find out what type we have here, the closest resemblance name seems to be Fish Tail Fern. 

We finally reach the top of the steep slope and begin to follow the rock face back to the flat ground. On the side of this rock face is a twisted tree trunk.

Giggles and RedEye cannot resist giving this giant monkeypod tree a good hug. This is a survivor from the big typhoon and definitely could use a hug! 

We walk back to our cars parked at the yellow bus stop #139 for our group photo. Feeling quite proud of ourselves are: Sparky, Marcia, Giggles, RedEye, Cutie, Thor, and CC.

The 2.31 mile hike is short but intense. And a very enjoyable 3 hours. All agree it's a great hike. Five Sneakers!!