Hanakapi'ai Falls, or How to Donate Blood to Mosquitoes

Last Sunday we drove out to the North West edge of Kauai to hike part of the Kalalau trail.  We almost did not go because it was raining really hard, but we decided to try it out.  The rain continued to sprinkle on and off as we scrambled up a slippery muddy trail.

Soon the rain stopped, and we started getting glimpses of the cliffs ahead and the surf down below us.

View of Na Pali Coast from Kalalau Trail

Our first destination was 2 miles from the trail head--Hanakapi'ai Beach.  This beach is not for swimming.  In fact, there is even a sign posted on the trail warning hikers not to go anywhere near the water. 

Sign by the Hanakapi'ai Beach

The existance of a sign is in itself unusual.  The local pattern we have noticed (and read about in our guidebook) is to provide as few signs as possible.  The trail from the beach to the falls was extremely poorly marked.  Later I learned that it is technically unmaintained.

Past the beach, the trail turned away from the ocean and started climbing.  After another 2 miles of scrambling up the rocks and crossing a several streams, we have reached the Hanakapi'ai Falls. 

Hanakapi'ai Falls

Several extremely brave fellow hikers (Britney, Cory, Thomas and Dan) jumped into the large pool under these 300 foot falls.  The water must have been freezing--I felt cold just feeling the water spray on my face and arms. 

Cory and Thomas waiting for Britney to swim under the waterfall.

The sun came out as we hiked back to the beach, and then back our cars. 

There were practically no moscitoes along the trail except for one magical spot--the bamboo forest.  Unable to encounter thick groves of bamboo in my every day life, I was fascinated and paused to snap a few photos.  I could not adjust my camera settings fast enough before my legs, thickly smeared with bug repelent, were covered in mosquito bites. 

That was on the way to the falls.  Did I learn my lesson?  Apparently, not.  With the sun shining into the "bamboo forest" I was compelled to pause and take a few more photos.  For these I invariably paid with a few more bites.