- This event has passed.
Crouching Lion Hike (reopened) / Birthday Potluck (optional)
You can come to the hike, the potluck or both.
At only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) each way, the Crouching Lion Trail is, without a doubt, one of the best sunrise hikes on Oʻahu!
Crouching Lion Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Crouching Lion Trailhead is located in a small dirt lot on the right-hand side of Kamehameha Highway, just before Kahana Bay Beach Park when coming from Kāneʻohe, or on the left after the beach park when coming from the North Shore.
Crouching Lion Trailhead is a high-crime area for petty theft. Never leave visible bags or anything valuable in your car.
Hiking the Crouching Lion Trail
To get to the Crouching Lion Trailhead, walk in the Kāneʻohe direction toward the second sign on the right-hand side of the road.
It’s likely the route that most hikers are interested in for the shorter Crouching Lion Trail, as opposed to the much longer and more involved hike up Puʻu Manamana.
Know that if the east side of Oʻahu has been receiving a lot of rain, these lower elevations on the Crouching Lion Trail can be very muddy and slippery.
Not long after beginning the hike, the Crouching Lion Trail begins climbing, which will continue for nearly the entire length of the trail to the main viewpoint above Kahana Bay.
Crouching Lion-Puʻu Manamana Connector Junction just past the clearing that hikers either have the option to go left toward the main Crouching Lion viewpoint or right to hike toward the Lion’s Head/ Puʻu Manamana Trail.
Warning: There has been previously fatal falls because of the steep and dramatic cliffs on the longer Pu’u Manamana trail which we are NOT doing. So proceed with caution.
The short but steep trail leads to one of the most beautiful panoramic east-facing viewpoints on the island, making the Crouching Lion Trail one of the best effort-to-reward trails when hiked for sunrise!
In any case, the turquoise-blue waters of Kahana Bay can truly be enjoyed at first light and throughout much of the day. Therefore, I truly don’t think it makes much of a difference when you decide to hike up Crouching Lion, as the viewpoints are always stunning, so long as the weather is clear!
On a different note, the Crouching Lion Trail is not as straightforward as one might think, given all the different routes that begin at the trailhead and continue throughout the hike.
Please bring sun protection like a hat/cap/sunscreen/etc, at least 2 liters of water per person, good footwear, snacks, & clothing for bad weather just in case.
Please carpool if possible (you can contact us in advance so we can coordinate).
PLEASE COME ON TIME (COME EARLIER THAN 10 TO GET PARKING).
Depending on the fitness level of attendees, we may have two groups one fast paced & the other slower.
Matt will be the lead (ie, he will be in front of everyone) & I (Terry) will be the sweeper/follow (ie, I will make sure that everyone is in front of me). You should make sure that you are between us, hopefully with eyes on one of us at all times for safety.
Let’s have a safe but enjoyable Sunday together.
It’s Matt’s anniversary hike & potluck. We will have a potluck afterwards (please bring actual food & not snacks). It will be at Kualoa Regional Park (49-479 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744). Consider bringing a cooler or cooler bag to keep things fresh.
IF THE WEATHER IS BAD, ASSUME THAT WE HAVE CANCELED THE EVENT. We can always do this on another day…the risk is not worth it.
And as always, although we make safety a priority, by coming you are accepting that you are solely responsible for your own safety & should not do anything you shouldn’t esp if you have medical restrictions.