Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Naftan

An invitation to hike the Naftan trail goes out to our hiking group, and we are delighted that fifteen humans and one canine show up for the fun event. 
At 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, the sun is out and the heat is already palpable, everyone agrees that we will need to start our hikes earlier for the summer months.  

PanPan, Sonny, Scout, Kadi, Toni, Knohlynn, Cutie, RedEye, Fred (CaveMan), SoccerFish, CB, Gigs, Ewok, WonderWoman, Risa, CC, in front of Hawaiian Rock Quarry by the trail head.

Leaving Hawaiian Rock onto the wide open trail.

Risa and WonderWoman enjoying themselves.

While going uphill, LauLau Bay is clearly visible behind us. Fred takes a moment to appreciate the newly opened vista.

We decide to take the long and winding side trail that takes us to the large gap on the cliff. Toni and Knolynn, followed by Fred, are nearing the cliff.

This large "mouth" open to the ocean is apparently manmade to accommodate disposal of  equipment at the end of the war. The ground is covered with shards of broken and rusty metal, and piles of larger metal pieces from long-gone equipment.

WW and Risa Contemplating at the edge of the cliff.

The sharp slope and the impressive cut never fail to awe all the onlookers.  

Risk-taker CB makes her way slowly down the treacherous slope and comes up with this handful of salt crystals.

Meanwhile Kadi has taken a boonie path above the trail and finds a cave, but does not enter. He and Fred join us at the cliff.

On the way back out to the main trail, SoccerFish goes inside the boonies to retrieve the plastic bottle he has thrown in there. A valuable environmental lesson.

When we arrive at the main trail, RedEye decides to head back to the car, taking the water and snacks with him. Upon discovering the oversight, Kadi volunteers to chase down and retrieve the treasures from RedEye. Cutie watches...

A group of Sunday bikers have the same idea of enjoying the well maintained Naftan trail.

Coming upon the the bunker at the tip of Naftan, Scout and Kadi checking out the big gun.

Kadi, Knolynn, Toni, and Scout giving the gun and bunker a once over. The surrounding area has been cleared and access made easier for sightseeing.

A perfect spot to rest and snack. Scout, Sonny, SoccerFish, and PanPan leave earlier for their appointment. The rest of the group takes time to relax and enjoy the beautiful breeze, and total tranquility.

After snacks and rest, we head back, but not before we take a picture of The Newbies: Kadi, Knolynn, Toni, and CavemanFred.

We notice a five hundred pound dud bomb is roped off just on the side of the trail.

And CB calls these caper plant flowers.

Along the trail we also find a few shells.

On the way back Fred, Kadi, and Gigs check out this crack for future exploration. As the sun is bearing down on us and the heat is intense, we are happy to reach our cars back at the quarry.

This nearly 3.5-hour and just under five mile hike, although very hot, is altogether very enjoyable. We are not able to do more exploration into some of the side trails this time, but we are ready for another try in the near future. It is a four sneaker hike...


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