Kuliou'ou Reservoir Hike This hike was the highlight of our vacation. Thank you Dale and Megan for getting us there (took long enough). Here are directions so we don't get lost next time: Take Highway 72 (Kalanianaole) towards Hanauma Bay. Loop back when you pass the Elelupe intersection (you can't get to it any other way) and turn right onto Elelupe. Take Elelupe to right on Kuliou'ou. Turn right at Kali'au.

The climb was a botanical wonderland. It starts hot and tropical with streams, small waterfalls and dense vegetation. I snapped this picture of a wild orchid.

At some point you reach a forest of pines where the needles are soft underfoot. These look just like Norfolk Island Pines.

This pine was MASSIVE.

About halfway up you reach a huge banyan tree. It was amazing.

I couldn't resist climbing around in it.

This hike took 3 1/2 hours total (that includes a 1 hour detour--how did we miss the signpost?).

The view was the reward.

Umbrella tree.

A couple on their way down took this photo for us. They thought we were locals because this hike is not well known. He worked for Delta Airlines.

Tired, but happy.

We are in the clouds and it is hard to get our breaths. Time for a break.

Dale keeps saying "We're almost there." Well, there's still more past these steep steps.

These are some kind of wild raspberrries. They are big with no fuzzies on the fruit and a very small seed.

Just about there.

Wow! We are on top of the world. The view goes on forever.

You can see the white sands of Bellows beach.

This is breathtaking.

You can feel both the heat rising and the cool breeze blowing. It is hot and cold at once, like sweet and sour sauce.

Let's do it again next year!