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The Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club Newsletter July - August - September 2002 |
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The Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club Newsletter July - August - September 2002 |
RICHARD BOOTH, 1912 - 2002 We were saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Booth on June 8 of this year. Below are the reminiscences we were able to gather by the time the newsletter was printed. Please send any additional ones to the newsletter editor.
from John Hall
When I first joined the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club in the Fall of 1962, Dick was one of the prominent members and clearly a Club leader. He served many terms on the Board of Directors, and was President a number of times, as well as being active in clubhouse affairs. Dick was much more reticent than some of the other leaders, but when he did choose to speak, he was well worth listening to. He even composed a song for the Club, although I have not heard it sung for many years now, and I fear it never quite made it into the Top 10. I know he led many Sunday hikes which I enjoyed, but these have melted into the innumerable hikes I have done with the Club over 40 years and I can't recall any that struck me as being exciting, or disastrous, or interesting enough to recall at this date. I do remember a number of outer island trips that he led, however. The Alakai Swamp on Kaua'i was one of his favorites, I believe, and I remember at least one, and I think it was two, that I shared with him on this Island. We started at Camp 10 road and hiked in to the gauging station on Koa'ie Stream where we camped for the first night. Then on along the fringes of the great Swamp (not the piddling little sample the tourists are allowed to taste on the current boardwalk) until deep in its heart, we turned to the right and descended a ridge that ran above Waialae Stream to Cowboy Flats, where a two acre meadow in a right-angle elbow of this beautiful stream forms a delightful opening in the dense native (and exotic) forest that is home to a simple cabin, an old line shack of the Robinson ranch, I think. We spent two nights here and enjoyed exploring the surrounding countryside before dropping down Red Hill to the floor of Waimea Canyon and then out via the Kukui Trail. I think that the first hike on the Kohala Ditch Trail was also led by Dick, although I am not certain of this now. However, I do know that he organized the unique 10 day circuit of Mauna Kea, that followed jeep roads around the whole mountain at about the 8000 to 9000 foot level of altitude. In those days, the State Wildlife Dept. managed the wilderness primarily for hunting purposes, and this was a prime pig/goat/sheep/bird hunting area. They had decided to close it on the year of our hike in order to allow the game to recover, and Dick seized the opportunity to schedule a hike that would take us around the mountain and allow us to camp by, or in some cases, stay in, the hunting cabins and use them for our water supply since they had roof-top collection systems and storage tanks, a vital necessity in this streamless terrain. We started out from Pohakuloa the first day and hiked across country, seeing a wild turkey on the way, and staying in a dormitory at Hale Pohaku that night, if I recall correctly. One of the group was a Swiss chap named Walter, I think, who was a very strong hiker, but not a wise one, and the second day he took off ahead of the group, despite the fact that he had no idea where we were going, and soon vanished into the distance. The cabins were often located some distance below the ring road that we were following, and most of our hiking on the 3rd day was planned to be up an access road from one cabin, about a mile along the ring road, and down several miles to the next cabin. Walter's excessive velocity carried him past the turn-off, not only to the 2nd night's cabin, but past that to the 3rd night's as well! When Dick realized that Walter would soon be lost, he took off after him and disappeared as well. None of the rest of us knew where we were to turn to find the road to the right cabin and so we stopped at the first junction to wait. I tried to follow Dick, and was successful in following his footprints for several miles along the road and then off it in a great curve down around a large cinder cone called Kanakaleonui toward the 3rd night's cabin, but I was not sure that they WERE his prints and decided to return to the others. We explored the side road for awes, (it was the correct one) but not finding the cabin, which was further than we thought, returned to the junction to make a dry camp. We were getting pretty desperate for water, and I spread my poncho to catch any rainfall during the night. The poncho was an old army surplus, all that was available at that time, made of rubber-impregnated cloth. I caught about a quart of water, but it tasted so strongly of ancient rubber and dust that only extreme thirst could bring any of us to even sample it. We continued along the ring road and eventually found Dick who took us to Kanakaleonui Cabin, where, as I recall, we spent two days to recuperate. Lil and Dalton Peterson were on this trip, and I believe Beryl Sawyer may have been a member too, but those are the only people I can recall. I had had the bizarre notion that I could avoid cooking on the hike by preparing several versions of home made pemmican, composed of different concoctions of cheese, nuts, raisons and other dried fruits, etc. I had also brought a head of lettuce. I don't know why I didn't have the good sense to try this experiment on a shorter trip before trying it on a 10 day backpack! By the 3rd day, I was discovering that a constant diet of the stuff was pretty unpalatable, and after I'd finished my lettuce, I was in severe danger of going hungry rather than eat any more of it. Fortunately, Lil and Dalton took pity on me and shared some of their food with me. They were certainly a kind, good-hearted couple! We continued around the mountain, staying at the cabins. We had permission to bunk inside some of them, and others we camped beside and used the water supply, but did not enter them. The cabins were not heavily used, and the cabin journals went back to the early years of the century in some cases. I gathered that they were maintained by game keepers who catered to parties of wealthy doctors and business people who came in to hunt. The keepers would sometimes catch young boars alive and castrate them, producing an animal that had a special name, which I forget, that would then fatten up nicely and be an especially nice catch when it was shot. The journals also had tales of "initiation" in which young sons of the hunters would be praised for standing up to the charging boar and shooting it. I gathered that this was sometimes a sort of initiation rite for these people. I hope these journals have been preserved somewhere - they would be interesting reading and of sociological interest.
One day, near the end of the trip, we came over a slight rise in the road and startled a mother pig with a litter of piglets, each about a foot long. They scattered, but as we proceeded I noticed a small quivering rump and tail sticking up out of a hole in the road. One of the piglets had tried to hide there from us, but had only succeeded in getting hits head and forequarters into shelter! I could have picked it up by the tail, but I really had no use for a live pig (I wasn't hungry enough to kill the little creature) and I was afraid if it let out a squeal, mom might come back and do some damage to my person. It soon realized that its hiding place was not very secure and backed out and ran off.
On the last day, as we were heading down to Pohakuloa again, a jeep drove up and Walter got out, and promptly collapsed. He was diabetic, and the rangers had picked him up just after his insulin shot and before he'd eaten, I guess. Anyway, he had something to take which he ate and was soon fine again. It seemed that he'd gotten off the ring road and wandered around in the ranch lands below, getting water from cattle troughs and staying in sheds for 7 days, until the game keepers had run across him that day. I know Dick must have been greatly concerned about him, but there was nothing we could do, and he was a very strong hiker and presumably able to take care of himself, as he did.
I used a hammock on many of the backpacking trips that I made, and originally I got the idea from Dick Booth. Dick had an old World War II surplus jungle hammock, made of canvas, I believe, and probably heavy as lead, which he used a few times on backpacking trips. It had a broad canvas roof, mosquito-net sides, and a canvas hammock. It required an elaborate system of cords to set up and extend the roof properly, but looked quite snug once assembled. As I recall, he also used a tumpline for his pack a few times. In those days, H-frame packs, much less the newer designs, were not readily available commercially, and many of our packs were crude WWII board frames. Dick knew that the old fur traders and the Indians of the North Country often carried immense loads by slinging a broad loop of leather or cloth around the load and over the forehead, just as I later saw the Sherpas do in Nepal. I don't know how well this worked, but I recall that he tried it on at least one trip.
Among his other services for the Club, Dick was responsible for developing a number of trails that we still hike regularly. These include, I believe, Wahiawa Hills, the Tantalus Ramble, and the Aiea Bisectual. Mary or Philip or Myra may know of others. In all, he was a good man and a great asset to our group. We will miss him. Aloha!
from Carole Moon
I am saddened but I have fond memories of that one backpacking trek to Cowboy Flats that I made with Steve Brown, John Hoover, Stuart, Kost and including Dick Booth. Remember that trip guys? Dick wanted to return to Cowboy Flats just one more time but we never made it because of the terrible conditions of the trail caused by Hurricane Ewa. We ended our sprint in Koaie Canyon and camped out under very muddy and rainy conditions in the canyon while he amused us with his very long shaggy dog stories until he reached the punch line or fizzle line for that matter. And he would sing to us making them up as he went along. I believe that was his last backpacking trip ever. My aloha to Dick...
from Steve Brown
Dick contributed a lot to the club over the years. A number of the trails we hike today are a result of his exploring. The term "Dick Booth Hike" used to be a standard phrase which promised an engaging and often devious route to some pretty interesting places.
Dick’s presence was always a bright spot at the schedule committee meetings. The envelope which he brought with him for many years was labeled "Hikedata" (rhymes with "freaky papa"), and contained a wealth of information about our hikes. He was always ready with a quip, a limerick or a puzzle, many of which he knew by heart. He wrote the words & lyrics of the club song, "Kalalau Hikers".
For many years he conducted treasure hunts for the club, which were famous for being a real challenge. Even today, there remains an unfound clue somewhere in the vicinity of Puu Ohia, which Dick planted there perhaps 25 years ago.
His ready grin was infectious. His signature floppy hat, glasses, and Vandyke beard is an image that will be long-remembered, and his legacy of rambling woodland trails is a treasure we will always cherish. Mahalo and aloha, Dick.
BIG ISLAND OUTING Editor
Over the Memorial Day weekend, a group of more than 20 HTMC members took over the entire Kalopa State Recreation Area complex on the Big Island. Kalopa, located seven miles south of Honoka`a on the Hamakua Coast, lies at an elevation of about 2,000 feet, occupies a lovely location and is the best maintained facility in the state park system, as attested to by the participants, and as reported in Camping Hawaii, (UH Press).
By splitting into different hiking groups, the party was able to hike in many different areas, ranging as far as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. More local attractions were Waipi`o Valley, including Hi`ilawe Falls (with one member even making a day trip to Waimanu Valley!), and the Upper Hamakua Ditch Trail (see below).
One group hiked the little-known Kahauale`a Trail, which traverses a fern-blanketed rain forest from the Glenwood area to Pu`u ~O'o, the source of the current Kilauea eruption. (For a description of this trail, the safest and shortest route to the eruption site, see the Sports Section, Honolulu Advertiser, September 14, 2001).
Another seldom-hiked trail for folks from Oahu is the Upper Hamakua Ditch, which traverses high up across the headwall of Waipi`o Valley, with fantastic views of waterfalls and the steep valley walls--if you can see them. A hiking foursome, including your editor, did the hike late last year and saw nothing but pouring rain and blinding fog. A group of Kalopers tackled the trail, as described below by Tom Yoza.
Saturday 5/25/02
On a clear, blue sky morning, eleven of us jump into 2 vans and head out towards Waimea town. This hike was conceived last night by Carole and others after drinking a few hot toddies. Too bad Ms. Moon had other commitments and couldn't make it but others who did were Jim, Justin, Bill, Laura, Kenji, Mike, Helene, Dick, Brenda, John and Tom. Headed north on Mamalahoa Hwy(19) looking for mile marker 53. Turned right onto White Road, a single-lane blacktop, and parked on the grass shoulder about a quarter mile up. There were several cars already there at 0845.
Proceeded through a pasture gate on a dirt road and passed by Waimea Reservoir on the right. Soon reached the Kohala Forest Reserve gate with a hiker bypass also. The jeep road ended at the beginning of the Upper Hamakua Ditch and Trail. Met a man with 2 dogs resting on the side there and several more hikers as we trekked on. Reached a lookout where we could finally see deep into the back of Waipi`o Valley. There was a tall but skinny waterfall with a pool at its base that flows into Koiawe Stream that in turn eventually merges into Waipi`o Stream. Last week Jim Pushaw could hear the water thundering down the falls during a rain storm but could not see it.
As we hiked southwesterly on the trail that now contoured on the inside face of the valley the fog moved in, obscuring views into the deep chasm. This is definitely an early morning hike if you want good pictures. The trail then rounded the end of that finger of Waipi`o Valley through a bamboo forest. There was a view point in a break in the trees but the fog was relentless. Saw many native plants and lobelias and snails.
The next section was mostly through thick ginger patches with occasional sugi pines. Jim and I had machetes so we hacked away as much as we could without slowing our progress. Being good trail clearers, others took turns with the blade. Crossed a concrete bridge with 191x engraved on the side (the last digit of the year was chipped off). Passed by a broken-down ditchman's shack. There was a valve across a segment of the ditch nearby that he probably controlled. Then the trail became real boggy at places, with deep mud holes. Passed by long, straight sections of the flume with water flowing swiftly through it.
Reached the end of another finger of Waipi`o Valley with Alakahi Stream at its bottom. Was dismayed and baffled to see a well maintained jeep road there. While having lunch (without a view) 2 hikers came by who said they came up the road and were on their way back to Waimea town. Jim got the name of one of the guys who leads hikes on Saturdays. Maybe there are more secret hikes around here for next year's trip. Went up the road a bit after lunch and saw a trail heading towards the left, possibly to a water diversion dam. Kenji found a lobelia plant with black flowers. Justin tried his hand (sacrificing his body) at fluming the ditch. Did more trail clearing on the way back until I was told to stop. Was back at the vans at about 1545. Had a few cold drinks while watching the fog roll in. Then took a drive into town to locate the jeep road those 2 guys used, but was unsuccessful. After a good day of hiking we rolled on home.
Excerpted below is an account by Dayle Turner of the experiences of the group that hiked in Volcanoes National Park, and in the Kalopa forest the following day.
Sunday
On the agenda for the day is a trip to Volcano country with the J&J girls, Sunadas, the Bussens, the Muscheks, Nathan and myself. We decide on a loop of about six miles that has us traversing Halemaumau Crater and Byron's Ledge.
Starting from Volcano House, we descend on switchbacks through a pretty native forest to reach the floor of Halemaumau. We stop at many places in the crater to munch on ohelo berries and to admire pretty ohia blossoms. A few minutes before the noon hour, we sit atop a rise in the shade-deprived crater to eat sandwiches, fruit and trail mix. After lunch, we continue hiking across the crater for another half hour. We reach the base of another set of switchbacks where we find shade to rest, snack, hydrate, and be entertained by Gordon, who is never lacking for one-liners.
We complete a climb out of the crater then follow a pleasant, shady section along the crater rim. As we hike, we see pheasants and feral chickens along the trail. To our surprise, we find ourselves descending back into Halemaumau, but we continue since signs point the way to Volcano House.
Monday
Our final breakfast at Kalopa features banana pancakes ala Dick and Jamie. Additionally, there is bacon, eggs, bananas, oatmeal, and fresh papaya. I eat eight pancakes with bacon and eggs on the side then declare myself ready for whatever the day holds. J&J and I decide to go with the Kalopa forest group. Leading us today is the legendary John Hall, a knowledgeable, comforting and reassuring presence in the woods. Professor Hall stops at several junctures to make sure we all are together and also to point out different plants we come upon. For those he wasn't sure about, he queried Ken, our resident plant expert. Some of the species we saw include loquat, kopiko, kolea, maile, lobelia, and eucalyptus.
After an hour of hiking, we reach the upper boundary of the Kalopa Forest, and we sit down to eat lunch there, with some folks finding seats in the cradle of a huge paperbark tree. Duringlunch, a local family hikes past and we exchange greetings with them. A few minutes later, we hear strange horn-like sounds from the forest, andwe wonder who or what these noises are coming from. Cows? Yeti? Other hikers? We are never sure. After lunch, we continue along the trail, which becomes more and more obscure. But with the great John Hall in front, we never go astray. At one juncture, we come upon the local family who'd passed us during lunch. "I think we went off the trail," says the family patriarch. We invite the family to follow us, and they do, and we are delivered back to the cabins by the hiking mana'o of Dr. Hall. Our loop hike totals about five miles."The easiest five miles I've ever hiked," says Cera.
KO`OLAU SUMMIT TRAIL HISTORY - PART 7
[This article is a continuation of Stuart's series on the history of the Koolau Summit Trail]
Summit Trail Building-Castle to Pu`u Pauao (04/35-09/35).
After finishing the short segment to Kawailoa Trail, Foreman Landgraf and his first-rate crew pushed southeast from the Castle Trail junction toward the Poamoho Trail. The relatively gentle terrain along that summit section made for fast construction. Through June 1935 the crew averaged a blistering 21 feet of new trail per man per day. Project Superintendent Olson remarked,
"The country boys that compose this 30 man [summit] crew have steadily done more and better work than any 40 man crew on our other projects composed of city boys."
After Landgraf's crew passed Pe`ahinai`a Trail in early July, the Honolulu Unit moved the side camp from the top of Castle Trail to Poamoho. The new camp was situated along the Poamoho Trail in a narrow gulch just below the summit. Olson later commented, "At this side camp, the sun does not shine for weeks at a time because of low-hanging clouds and almost incessant rains. These conditions cause bedclothes, tents, wearing apparel etc. to be continually damp; the trail and campsites are perpetually muddy and, with the strong trade winds that blow here, conditions are very disagreeable."
On 14 July Forester Judd led a summit hike for the Piko Club. Twenty-nine members climbed the new Poamoho Trail past the muddy, cramped side camp. From the top they bushwhacked north 0.3 mile to the end of the Summit Trail. After strolling along the wide-open path, the group stopped for coffee at the Kaluanui side camp around 2 pm. The Pikos then descended the rebuilt Castle Trail and reached their cars in Punalu`u Valley at 6 pm.
Approaching Poamoho from the windward side in July, Landgraf's men encountered steep cliffs, which dropped almost 2,000 feet into Punalu`u Valley. The crew began using dynamite to blast deep cuts in the rocky slope. After a brief respite past the Poamoho Trail and cabin, the men faced a long, tough windward section below Pu`u Pauao, a massive hump on the summit ridge. As the crew blasted and chipped away at the stubborn rock, their progress slowed to 8 feet per man-day in August and 10 in September. Assistant Forester Russ took it all in stride, reporting,
"8/35-Summit Trail being worked on without notable incident."
"9/35-Summit Trail being worked on, and fair weather has given the men a chance to make progress." At the close of the third six-month period on 30 September, Foreman Landgraf and his men were still in the shadow of Pu`u Pauao, but well on their way to a junction with the Schofield-Waikane Army Trail. Honolulu Unit records for the Summit Trail project during that period show 5.4 miles of new trail constructed in 1,991 man-days and 14.6 miles maintained in 223 man-days. During the period the Wahiawa Unit completed the La`ie Trail.
On 13 September Judd finished the program plan for the fourth six-month ECW period (10/01/35-03/31/36). Requested under Project 3, Foot Trail Construction was an extension of the Ko`olau Summit Trail to connect the Schofield-Waikane Trail with the new Waiawa [Kipapa] Trail. Estimated length was 4 miles, and estimated man-days were 3,960. Significantly, the plan mentioned recreation, in addition to animal eradication and forestry management, as a justification for the trail projects requested.
Summit Trail Building-Pu`u Pauao to Kipapa (10/35-01/36)
In the middle of November 1935 Foreman Landgraf and his men reached the Army's Schofield-Waikane Trail, the original terminus of the Ko`olau summit project. As the ECW director had approved the Waiawa extension, the crew continued southeast, rebuilding the Army trail along the summit. Meanwhile the Honolulu Unit moved the side camp from Poamoho to a protected leeward site near the top of the Waikane Trail.
Forester Judd had earlier heard about a probable reduction in the CCC workforce for the next six-month period beginning April 1936. Fearing a cutback in the Honolulu Unit, he told Landgraf to stay on the leeward side of the summit ridge around Pu`u Ka`aumakua and the rest of the way to the Waiawa [Kipapa] Trail. Although longer and less scenic, the leeward route offered faster construction over more gentle terrain.
On 19 December 1935 Judd inspected the Waiawa Trail with Lieutenant Colonel (later General) George S. Patton, Jr., the Intelligence Officer of the Hawaiian Department. Around noon the two and several others reached Uncle Tom's cabin, perched on the Ko`olau summit. The view from the cabin was spectacular on this clear, cool winter day. They then hiked north along the summit ridge passing Landgraf's crew working south. The group followed the newly built path to the Waikane junction and then descended the Army trail past the ditchman's house. The men completed the 12-mile walk in six hours. Judd later remarked,
"The hike seemed to have given them all the exercise they desired."
In late January 1936 Foreman Ernest W. Landgraf and his crew reached the Waiawa Trail and Uncle Tom's cabin. To complete the last summit section, the men had constructed 2.3 miles of new trail at 15 feet per man-day during a wet December and January. Project Superintendent later wrote,
"Because of severe weather in this section of the Koolau Range, and the uncomfortable living conditions which the men had to endure, they are to be praised highly for their fortitude and excellent work on this trail. The group is composed mostly of Mormons and live in the vicinity of Laie."
The completed Ko`olau Summit Trail stretched 18.5 miles from Black Junction on the Pupukea-Kahuku Trail to Uncle Tom's cabin at the end of the Waiawa Trail. The summit project was the longest and most difficult CCC undertaking in Hawai`i. In his January routine report, Assistant Forester Russ wrapped-up the project succinctly,
"Summit Trail completed to Kipapa Trail this month, and now nothing but maintenance remains to be done in that region."
Summit Trail Maintenance and Hiking (1936-1941)
In February 1936 the Honolulu Unit dismantled the last side camp on the Ko`olau Summit Trail. As Forester Judd had feared, reduced ECW funding forced the closing of that unit. Project Superintendent Olson transferred to Hawai`i National Park. The foremen and their crews were discharged over a three-month period ending in June. The remaining CCC unit, the Wahiawa Camp took over maintenance of the Summit Trail.
Recognizing the recreational possibilities of the new CCC trails, Judd wrote a long article entitled Hiking on Oahu Reveals Beauties of Nature in Friendly Mountains. Appearing in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on 23 May, the article extolled the virtues and benefits of hiking.
"The more you walk in the cool mountain air the more inspired and refreshed you become."
Judd described the wide, well-graded Summit Trail and each of its feeders, such as Kipapa.
"One may walk right along without stopping for breath and reach the crest of the [Ko`olau] range in about two and a half hours."
He also indirectly mentioned the Piko Club, emphasizing its varied membership: male and female, young and old.
In early September Piko President Judd, Chief Guide Thomas McGuire, and Chief Scout Leroy C. Wilson began planning an ambitious oneday summit hike. The route would follow the PupukeaKahuku Trail, the Summit Trail, and the Kipapa Trail, a distance of about 28 miles. The plan called for a 5:00 am rendezvous at Waimea Station and a 5:30 start at the Pupukea Forest Reserve gate above the orchards of the Hawaiian Avocado Company. The hikers would reach Uncle Tom's cabin at 6:00 pm just before sunset. There, a second party coming up Kipapa Trail would provide the marathoners with supper and coffee. Both groups would then descend by moonlight and be home by midnight. In an emergency, pigeons carried by the hikers would deliver a message to Schofield Barracks to summon cars to the Kawailoa, La`ie, Castle, Poamoho, or Waikane trailheads. In the hike flyer Captain Wilson warned,
"This hike is 28 miles and is not intended for infants. It is mainly a question of feet. Shoes and socks must be perfect. Hobnails are indispensable."
The Piko marathon took place on Sunday, 27 September 1936 and was a rousing success. Ten Army officers, seven enlisted men and 16 civilians, including four women went the distance without injury. Most of the Army personnel were well down the Kipapa Trail by 5:30 pm and reached the cars before dark. Judd later recounted his experience that day.
"I went up the Waiawa [Kipapa] Trail in the late afternoon and came out with the cowtailers. At the last stream crossing near the zigzags where there is water, Capt. Wilson, Tom [McGuire], some wahines, and several men and I had a little party in the dark, and I invented the PIKO cocktail on the spot, and 6 cupfuls were passed around among the crowd which made the walk down by moonlight very pleasant."
The marathon was the last hurrah for the Piko Club. Judd and General Wells had originally formed the club to encourage Army and civilian members to get together socially. Over the years, however, the membership had gradually became more civilian as the original Army members transferred back to the mainland and were not replaced in sufficient numbers. Unlike General Wells, the subsequent Army commanders were not enthusiastic about hiking and thus did not actively support the club. President Judd discussed the situation with McGuire, Wilson, Lieutenant Colonel Patton and former club President Wells, now retired. Based on their advice, Judd disbanded the Piko Club in late March 1937. He recommended that the civilian members reorganize the club, but they never did.
In March Forester Judd was diagnosed with high blood pressure and told to take it easy. He never hiked the Ko`olau Summit Trail again. On 1 September Judd took a medical leave of absence from his job as Territorial Forester. After a long illness, he died at noon in Queen's Hospital on 29 June 1939.
Charley Judd's obituary read in part,
"Modest and not inclined to demonstration, he had a rare zeal for his work. He loved to see the greening of reforested areas, the reclamation of desert spots into areas of beauty."
Well known for his tree planting, Judd also proved a staunch defender of the existing native Ko`olau forest. His pig control efforts provided the forest with some respite and ultimately resulted in a magnificent trail network. To see Judd's monument, hike the Summit Trail and look around you.
The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club (HTMC) had neither carrier pigeons nor the logistical support of the Piko Club. As a result, the club usually hiked to the Ko`olau summit on the new feeder trails, such as Poamoho, and then returned the same way. The one exception was the PupukeaLa`ie hike, scheduled several times during the late 1930s. The route started on the Pupukea-Kahuku Trail, followed the Summit Trail past Malaekahana cabin, and then descended the La`ie Trail with a stop at the pool along Kahaiwainui Stream. Leading that hike on 2 April 1939 was a young, upcoming guide named Joseph Neilson.
From 1936 through 1941 the CCC Wahiawa Camp and the Army periodically maintained the Ko`olau Summit Trail. The men cleared blowdowns, dug out landslides, and stabilized the pathway. Vegetation gradually covered up the construction scars and reclaimed the side camps. The trail began to blend into the landscape and become a part of it.
On the morning of 7 December 1941 probably only a few pig hunters were out and about on the Summit Trail. HTMC had scheduled Makua-Ka`ena for its Sunday hike. As the group gathered at the Armed Forces YMCA, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Initial comments were "very realistic war games" and "must be having maneuvers of some sort." As planned, the hikers left for Makua Valley, but their cars were turned around at a roadblock near O`ahu prison. Back at the YMCA, old-timer Joseph Whittle suggested,
"Let's take a trail in the other direction from Pearl Harbor. Since war's come, we may not be able to do much hiking for awhile."
No one else, however, wanted to miss the excitement, so he headed out alone in the direction of Koko Head.
In the next issue: Jungle warfare training on Castle and the summit in The War Years (1942-1945).
OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Board of Directors is looking for club members who would be willing to serve as Property Manager or Entertainment Chair. Don’t let the titles scare you. There are already a number of people who are helping out in these areas, so your committee is already in place! We already have a great team running the club, and only need a couple of more people to make the work easier for all the rest of us. Contact any board member if you’d like to join us, or for additional information.
AH WILDERNESS! Alex Broadfoot
[Here are some actual comments left on Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips.]
- A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call.
- Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."
- Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to the wilderness.
- Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.
- Ban walking sticks in the wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals.
- All the mile markers are missing this year.
- Found a smouldering cigarette left by a horse.
- Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.
- Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests. - - Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter.
- Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.
- The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.
- Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights.
- Need more signs to keep area pristine.
- A McDonald's would be nice at the trailhead.
- The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.
- Too many rocks in the mountains.
MICONIA REMOVAL
Join members of HTMC, along with others, to help rid Oahu of this invasive threat to our environment. The work is off-trail on steep and difficult terrain. Rated HWAF (Hard Work, Advanced, Fulfilling). Call the leader for more info.
Saturday, July 13 Leader: Jordan Jokiel 739-6710
Saturday, August 10 Leader: Hoala Fraiolla 239-9877
Saturday, September 14 Leader: Kapua Kawelo 656-7641 (w)
Saturday, October 12 Leader: Amy Tsuneyoshi 487-7552
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
ALONG THE TRAIL is a quarterly publication of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club designed to inform the membership of club activities and matters of interest to the hiking community. HTMC members and any other interested parties are welcome to submit articles to ALONG THE TRAIL. Submissions must be received by the 5th day of March, June, September, and December in order to appear in the newsletter published for the quarter, and may be sent in any of the following ways (email preferred):
E-Mail: Richard27@prodigy.net
Computer diskette: MS/DOS [3.5"]
FAX: 293-2603
Phone: 293-2554
Mail: Richard McMahon
57-531 Kamehameha Hwy
Kahuku, HI 96731-2128
Bookmark The HTMC Web Page http://www.geocities.com/htmclub - or -
http://htmc.u4l.com- or -
http://www.webalias.com/htmc/
Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club
P.O. Box 2238
Honolulu, HI 96804
Clubhouse: 41-023 Puuone St
Waimanalo, HI 96795
Phone: 259-5443
Comments may be sent to HTMC Newsletter Editor
or HTMCThis free home page is hosted by www.geocities.com