New Location for Hike: Kealia Trail (Kawaihapai – Dillingham) – Intermediate

Unfortunately, the other hike trail appears to be closed so we will be doing this alternative hike.

This is an intermediate hike but we will only be doing about half of it.

Click on the venue description for detailed directions on where to park & where the trailhead is but it is summarized down below.

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.

We will probably head over to some place to feed our hungry bellies after the hike. Brainstorm where at! : )

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. 

Kealia Trail: The Hike

The first step is getting there, which can be a confusing process on its own.

The Trailhead for Kealia is at the furthest stretch of road on the westernmost part of the North Shore. It begins at Dillingham Airfield, which is an excellent GPS destination to plug in (because I don’t think there’s any other way to get anywhere these days, am I right?!).

Once you reach the airfield, drive all the way past it. Don’t park in the parking lot you see right off the main road, because you can’t access the trail from there. Once you pass the airfield, there will be a driveway on your left that you can turn into. Take it. Drive all the way down and turn left again, then there will be a parking lot on your left. Park it. Then get out of your car and bop it. Spin it. Flick it. Smash it. Just kidding. You should stretch and hydrate!

Across the street you’ll see a chain across a road, that’s the first entrance. There is a wide path that you’ll follow until you reach the trailhead entrance.

After you enter through the fence, the switchback trail will lead you through storybook woods and rocky terrain, with zero chance of getting lost as long as you stay on the path. All that stands between you and that picnic table lookout is your own sheer determination and willpower!

Don’t forget to enjoy the views on the way to the top. Fo’ real. The views from Kealia Trail are the best on the way up actually. Once you get to the picnic table you can’t really see much because the views are blocked by the trees.

Once you’ve made it here, no one would judge you if this is where you decided to stop and turn back around. It’s a three mile loop trail, and although it’s a switchback it’s still strenuous. Option A: Complete.

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