Waihee is in the Northwestern section of Maui, an area not often frequented by tourists. In my three other stays on Maui, I've never explored it much, a mistake I am glad I fixed. Waihee Ridge Trail is one of the most serene hikes I have taken.
Waihee Ridge Trail is a two and a half mile hike upwards, and the same way down. The trail goes in cycles of flat and steep areas culminating in a series of switchbacks that lead to the end, a hill called Lani-ili at 2,563 feet.
To get to the trail, we followed Highway 340 all the way to Mendes Ranch, then turned left into Maluhia Street, drove for about one mile to the small parking area. When we first got out of the car, it did not seem much like a trail, we had to pass through a cattle-proof gate and up cement road that is far steeper than it looks.Then we found it! A trail through a lush forest of kukui, guava, ohi’a, and ferns. As we were walking, I tried to listen;leaves breaking underneath our steps, my heart beating fast and loud, my heavy breathing, birds chirping and waterfalls in the distance.
Ha.....serene!
After about half a mile hike, we saw Makamaka’ole Falls in the distance. There were few other waterfalls, but most were far and some buried beneath the foliage, where we could hear the falls, but not see them.
A few more minutes of hiking, and we were treated by a beautiful panoramic view of Kahului, and the harbor.
At the one mile marker(or about there), we were encountered with a stairway, that seemed to be going up to reach the clouds. So up we went!
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When we at last got to the end of the trail, we found a picnic table sitting amid the clouds! It was a view as from another planet!
The way down went much faster than going up, with the exception of the muddy sections,where we had to watch our steps carefully. We were also seeing(and hearing) helicopters flying above the valley, showing tourists Maui's beauties off the beaten path.
We got back to our car, three hours after leaving it, feeling relaxed and at peace. Another great day in paradise!
Comments (13)
Candi, those pictures as awesome! When I first opened your blog, I thought one of the dead tree branches was a distant waterfall. It was kind of an optical illusion.
Did you intend that when you framed the shot? Beautiful!
Posted by Deborah | March 5, 2009 6:38 AM
Posted on March 5, 2009 06:38
Hi Candi, it sounds and looks like an awesome hike. I love the stairs up to the clouds...
How lucky for you to have these fantastic hiking trails to explore.
Thank you so much for posting your photos and hiking experience and giving us a glimpse of paradise. Have a great day!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 5, 2009 7:07 AM
Posted on March 5, 2009 07:07
That hike sounds like so much fun! What a beautiful place. Love your photos.
Posted by Annie | March 5, 2009 8:09 AM
Posted on March 5, 2009 08:09
Fabulous photos and what a lovely hike it must have been. It must have felt as being on the top of the island. Love the picnic table at the end of the trail.
What was the temperature when you reached the top? In Puerto Rico we have similar trails and the daytime temps are in the 70's and at night in 60’s. We islanders consider that to be cold.
Posted by Maria I. | March 5, 2009 8:36 AM
Posted on March 5, 2009 08:36
Deborah, I had to go back and look, you are right,it does give that optical illusion, but nope, not my doing, I am not that talented:)
Kathy, thanks, I loved the stairs too, I did not expect them there.
Annie, thanks, it was so beautiful.
Maria, it was like a whole different climate up there, more of a temperate climate rather than the island tropical climate, I think it must have been in the 60s up top, because the island had a high of 74 or so yesterday, it has been a little chilly here and a bit windy.
Posted by candi | March 5, 2009 11:55 AM
Posted on March 5, 2009 11:55
Not that I'm much of a hiker, but that trail, and your pictures, look simply beautiful. It must have been interesting to hike up and out of the moist climate at the base.
Posted by Marcia | March 5, 2009 12:40 PM
Posted on March 5, 2009 12:40
Marica, the base was not that bad, as we got up towards the top, the muddy terrain was slick, and we really had to watch our steps.Needless to say, by the time we were back in the car, we weighed more with all the mud on our shoes!
Posted by candi | March 5, 2009 6:50 PM
Posted on March 5, 2009 18:50
Stunning photos, that must have been a wonderful hike. I can imagine how different the climate must have been at the top cmopared with sea-level. I've been hiking in the Rockies and gone through what seems like about 3 different climates, from hot sunny weather at the base to snow flurries at the top!
I also love the top photo and at first glance, thought the dead tree branch was a waterfall cascading down through the forest!
Posted by sandrac | March 6, 2009 9:36 AM
Posted on March 6, 2009 09:36
Beautiful photos. Lucky you! :)
Posted by Eden | March 7, 2009 2:11 AM
Posted on March 7, 2009 02:11
Gorgeous photos! The Waihee Ridge Trail looks like a very cool hike! I haven't gone hiking in ages here. I really should start again. I miss it, especially after seeing your photos.
Posted by girasoli | March 7, 2009 4:19 PM
Posted on March 7, 2009 16:19
I'm all over that. Would love to do this hike when we're there in June! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by Kim | March 9, 2009 4:59 AM
Posted on March 9, 2009 04:59
Candi, coming back to this - do you think we need to bring our hiking boots with us or do you think we can do some of these Maui hikes in sneakers? I'm looking to do maybe two hikes while we're there as we've also rented bicycles.
Also, any chance for a GTG? Just shoot me an e-mail. We arrive on the 20th and are there until the 27th.
Posted by Kim | June 12, 2009 8:05 AM
Posted on June 12, 2009 08:05
Kim,this is beautiful hike. I think sneakers will do. It could be a little slippery, but as long your sneakers are sturdy you should be fine. Bill hikes in his tennis shoes. And I know when my in laws visited they just used Tennis shoes for the couple hikes we did, so I think you will be fine.
I will e-mail you.
Posted by candi | June 12, 2009 3:35 PM
Posted on June 12, 2009 15:35