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Manoa Falls Trail - 4 members in 6 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
6 triplogs
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May 18 2024
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 Guides 33
 Routes 286
 Photos 445
 Triplogs 251

35 male
 Joined Oct 23 2017
 Tempe
Manoa Falls TrailOahu, HI
Manoa Falls Trail
Oahu, HI
Hiking avatar May 18 2024
KingLeonidas • Triplogs 251
Hiking2.46 Miles 526 AEG
Hiking2.46 Miles   1 Hour   38 Mns   1.64 mph
526 ft AEG      8 Mns Break6 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Hiked Manoa Falls Trail with Victoria as one of our Oahu hiking expeditions.

The prior day's heavy rain cancelled diving for the day and more rain was anticipated in the afternoon so we decided to do some of the local hikes while we had a weather window.

As with the earlier trail, this one was highly commercialized. There was a gatehouse at the entrance with bathrooms and a snack bar. It cost $7 to park. As with the other sites, getting there early helped avoid the crowds and actually have parking available.

The trail was very muddy from the previous day's rain but I gather that it is often wet here as they had a station for washing mud off shoes.

The initial portion of the trail was scenic with a few clearings with an expansive view of the jungle. With many spring flowers in boom it was beautiful!

There were a few streams crossing the trail near the beginning. One of these was crossed with a lob bridge (not unlike what is often used in Arizona). The other was crossed in a uniquely Hawaiian style. A 20' shipping container (no doubt previously used to deliver goods to the island) was laid across the span with the doors on either end removed, effectively making a covered bridge. It initially looked odd in the distance, but upon reaching it and realizing what it was for, I thought it pretty clever.

The next portion of the trail was a bit of a slog. The slope increased and the terrain became rocky. It also started to drizzle a bit (keeping everything wet and muddy). There was not much to see in this section until you reach the falls.

When you reach the falls, they are impressive! Falling over 100' down a mossy slope they stand out from the jungle backdrop. There isn't much room to approach them or swim in the pool (in fact there are signs prohibiting exactly that although there were people ignoring them). We continued on to explore Aihulama trail instead.

This trail wasn't mapped at the trailhead or on hikeaz. There was a google maps pin for Aihulama lookout so we figured the trail would probably go there and we would explore a bit. This trail was a tough one. With the rain the mud was thick and slippery. The jungle humidity had us soaked with sweat and the mosquitos added to the discomfort. The slipperiest section had bamboo along the side which made for convenient handholds (we didn't pack trekking poles on this trip) but even then it was difficult not to fall in the mud.

We then came to a section where the trail was completely covered with tree roots. This posed anew and unique obstacle. The roots were rigid and slick and so traversing across them without slipping was difficult. The alternative approach was to choose footholds in gaps between the roots (which of course were mud pools) but at least wouldn't leave you sliding down the drop off like the roots would. This was something like "jungle rock climbing" requiring similar skills to identify good hand and foot holds to get across.

After the roots we took stock of the distance traveled (~1/3 of the distance to the lookout) and the trail ahead (which did not appear much improved) and decided to head back. There were other waterfall trails in the vicinity that we wanted to explore and if we pursued this difficult trail to its conclusion we likely would not have had time enough to explore the others.

After returning to the trailhead we spoke with on of the rangers/hosts and she confirmed that the roots section is the hardest part of that trail and that the lookout is indeed worth the trip. Oh well if we ever com back, and it is less rainy, we can give it another shot or hike it from a different direction as there seems to be a whole trail system on this mountain.

This was a good one but not too difficult. IF you are attempting it go early so you can beat the crowds.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max ‘Aihualama Stream Medium flow Medium flow
Was running strong (from recent rain) at the point where it crossed the trail
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  2 archives
Oct 19 2023
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 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Manoa Falls TrailOahu, HI
Manoa Falls Trail
Oahu, HI
Hiking avatar Oct 19 2023
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking2.21 Miles 557 AEG
Hiking2.21 Miles   1 Hour   22 Mns   1.77 mph
557 ft AEG      7 Mns Break2 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This is another one of those popular hikes. Do it early. We started a bit after 8am to 10 or so cars in the lot. When we left, it was a cluster.

This was our first "Rain Forest" type hike. Amazingly thick and green. This was by far, the take away from the hike. The falls were nothing more than a trickle. Talking to others, earlier in the year they were gushing. I saw my first banana tree.
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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Apr 29 2017
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 Guides 13
 Routes 100
 Photos 1,794
 Triplogs 372

51 male
 Joined Jul 27 2011
 Mesa AZ
Manoa Falls TrailOahu, HI
Manoa Falls Trail
Oahu, HI
Hiking avatar Apr 29 2017
BEEBEE • Triplogs 372
Hiking2.00 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   1 Hour      2.40 mph
700 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Quick hike and back to the falls. Loving Hawaii 1 more day left.
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"I hope we have once again reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: as government expands, liberty contracts."
 
Aug 29 2015
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 Routes 1
 Photos 29,225
 Triplogs 1,447

45 female
 Joined Jan 18 2011
 In the Wild
Manoa Falls TrailOahu, HI
Manoa Falls Trail
Oahu, HI
Hiking avatar Aug 29 2015
Lucyan • Triplogs 1,447
Hiking2.00 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
700 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice short shaded trail to the base of Manoa Falls (aka Jurassic Falls. Part of the movie has been filmed here).
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  3 archives
Apr 29 2012
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 Routes 17
 Photos 2,773
 Triplogs 249

53 female
 Joined May 15 2009
 Phoenix and Tucs
Manoa Falls TrailOahu, HI
Manoa Falls Trail
Oahu, HI
Hiking avatar Apr 29 2012
cindyl • Triplogs 249
Hiking2.00 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
700 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
went to hawaii with my folks. they let me have a couple of days to myself so i could get out and be more active. i went with a high school friend on a couple of short hikes. this was a popular spot, but we were there early enough to beat most of the crowds. lots of japanese tourists trying to hike in the mud with slippers.
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wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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There are just two switchbacks left. And another half-mile to the destination...
 
Jul 09 2009
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 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Manoa Falls TrailOahu, HI
Manoa Falls Trail
Oahu, HI
Hiking avatar Jul 09 2009
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking2.00 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
700 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
UrbanTrekker
Saw this hike in a book I'd bought at an ABC store, it was close by and looked like fun. We journeyed through a muddy rainforest paradise to Manoa Falls, enjoying an environment so completely different than our southern Arizona home. There were plenty of hikers out, but it certainly wasn't what I would call crowded. I enjoy people-watching in tourist areas, and this adventure paid off with a guy hiking in a very nice suit, unaware of the mud.
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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
  1 archive
average hiking speed 1.94 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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