Hike #8 - Pali Puka Trail, Oahu, HI

The Pali Puka trail is a little hard to find and I can see why there is a sign saying the area is closed.  This steep 30 - 45 min. hike to the Puka lookout is one of the most dangerous trails on the island.  The trail starts on the left side of the Nu'uanu Lookout parking lot where tour buses park.  Once you find the trail just beyond the low wall, it is fairly well defined.  The trail weaves in and out of the forest and along the steep ridge. There were optional sections of forest trail that were much safer than staying on the ridge trail in many places.  The Pali Puka or hole is located just below the rock face where the trail ends before the next steep mountain. Later that day while driving around Oahu, we looked up and could see the Pali Puka from the road.

Hike #7 - Koko Head Crater, Oahu, HI

 Soon after our hike to Diamond Head, Paul Pastore and I climbed the 1048 stairs/railroad ties to the summit of Koko Head Crater.  This was a challenging hike and reminded me of the Manitou Incline near Pikes Peak in Colorado.  We took our time and enjoyed the spectacular view at the top. The stairs were built over 60 years ago to get supplies to the military bunkers at the top.  There is a prayer box at the top where people have written prayers on the outside.

Hike #6 - Diamond Head, Oahu, HI

In January of 2015, Paul and I vacationed in Hawaii on the island of Oahu.  We began our adventure hiking the Diamond Head trail to the summit of this extinct volcano.  We arrived at the gate before sunrise (Gates open at 6 AM) so we could enjoy sunrise from 360 degree view at the top. The trail is 1.6 miles RT and has an elevation gain of 560'.  There are several look-outs and tunnels along the way as well as many stairs.  It took about an hour round trip partially due to the crowds of people which really slow you down. From the top we could see Waikiki, the airport, the Pacific Ocean, Koko Head and Koko Head Crater which we hiked and snorkeled (Hanauma Bay) later that day.

Hike #5 - Turtlehead Peak, Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas, NV

Turtlehead Peak is a 5 mile RT, strenuous hike in Red Rock Canyon with an elevation gain of 2,000'.  There is a charge of $7 to enter Red Rock Canyon and the 13 mile scenic road.  There is Visitor Center full of information on this and many other hikes as well as a gift shop.  Paul and I hiked this trail in December of 2014.  The weather was perfect but very windy at the top which is pretty common.  We parked at the Sandstone Quarry parking lot and headed up the clearly marked trail.  The trail starts out gradual and then gets quite steep in places and not as well marked.  There are green dots on the rock to help navigate.  Once reaching the summit we enjoyed the view of Las Vegas valley and La Madre mountains and headed back down to get out of the strong wind.

Hike #4 - Second Water Trail - Superstition Wilderness, AZ

After parking at the First Water Trailhead, Paul Pastore and I started hiking on the First Water Trail.  After 5 or 6 mins we came to the sign for Second Water. We had hiked the First Water Trail a couple of months prior and fell in love with the Superstitions.  There are so many trails to explore and wide panoramic views from each summit.  This trail starts out fairly level crossing a couple of dry creek beds and is easy to navigate. After 1.8 miles we came to the junction for the Black Mesa Trail.  We continued straight through Garden Valley and Second Water Canyon until we reached the Boulder Canyon Trail which we hiked last October.  At this point, we had hiked 3.5 miles.  We turned back the way we came.  It was a perfect sunny day in December 2014 and great time to enjoy the beauty of the Superstitions.

Hike #3 - Treasure Loop, Superstition Mountains, AZ

Treasure Loop is a moderate 2.4 mile loop trail in the Superstition Mountains.  It was just after New Year's 2015 and it had snowed a couple of days before.  It's rare and beautiful to see snow on the Superstition Mountains and cacti.  The elevation gain of the trail is 460'.  I would like to visit this trail again in the spring time as it is known for it's abundance of wildflowers.

Hike #2 - Telegraph Pass, South Mountain, Ahwatukee, AZ

Telegraph Pass is a popular trail on the South side of South Mountain.  We have hiked this trail before and appreciate it's close proximity to Phoenix/Chandler also it only takes a couple of hours to hike the 3 miles RT. The first 1/4 mile is paved and the trail is well marked.   A lot of people bring their dogs (or horses!).  There are some interesting petroglyphs along the way.