Koke'e State Park
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The main attractions of Koke'e State Park trails are the native vegetation, native forest birds, and the scenic cliffside views. Situated on a plateau between 3200 and 4200 feet, much of Koke'e is a montane (infrequent frost) mesic (50-100 inches annual rainfall with moist soil conditions) forest dominated by koa (Acacia koa) and o'hia (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees. Day temperatures vary from a 45°F average in January to 68°F in July. Annual rainfall is around 70 inches with rainy periods from October to May.
At the end of the state road is a lookout onto the Kalalau Valley, once home to thousands of native Hawaiians. The valley was the backdrop for Jack London's short story Koolau the Leper.
Hiking Trails
- Canyon Trail, Length: 1.8 miles / 2.9 kilometers. A popular scenic trail with great views of Waimea and Po'omau Canyons. The trail follows the rim of Waimea Canyon and crosses Koke'e Stream.
- Cliff Trail, Length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. A spur trail leading to a viewpoint of Waimea Canyon. Feral goats are often seen on the canyon walls.
- Black Pipe Trail, Length: 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer. This trail is an alternate access to the Canyon Trail. Native hibiscus and iliau can be seen along the trail.
- Halemanu-Koke'e Trail, Length: 1.2 miles / 1.9 kilometers. This trail wanders through somewhat disturbed koa/'o'hia forest. Recovery from Hurricane Iwa and transition to koa forest from drier conditions is evident.
- Faye Trail, Length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. A short trail that accesses other trails in the Halemanu area.
- Kumuwela Trail, Length: 1.0 mile / 1.6 kilometers. Mosaic of 'o'hia and koa/'o'hia montane mesic forests with alien weed problems and hurricane damage. A good bird watching trail.
- Waininiua Trail, Length: 0.6 mile / 1.0 kilometer. A good trail to see a relatively intact koa/'o'hia montane mesic forest.
- Ditch Trail, Length: 1.7 miles / 2.7 kilometers. A trail developed to construct and maintain the Koke'e Ditch. Vistas of surrounding forest and Po'omau Stream.
- Berry Flat Trail, Length: 0.6 mile / 1.0 kilometer. This trail traverses a mix of planted alien and native forest types, including redwood and sugi groves and disturbed koa/'o'hia forest.
- Pu'u ka 'Ohelo Trail, Length: 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer. Along this trail are good examples of the impact that invasive alien weeds can have on native forest vegetation.
- Water Tank Trail, Length: 1.0 mile / 1.6 kilometers. This trail provide a good example of native koa/'o'hia forest.
- Nature Trail, Length: 0.1 mile / 0.16 kilometer. Good starter trail to learn about native forest vegetation.
- Nu'alolo Trail, Length: 3.75 miles / 6.0 kilometers. Trail through koa/'o'hia montane mesic forests and an 'a'ali'i lowland dry shrubland with a great view of Nu'alolo Valley. Return climb of 1570 feet.
- Awa'awapuhi Trail, Length: 3.25 miles / 5.2 kilometers. Trail with mesic and dryland native plants. Spectacular view into steep-sided Nu'alolo and Awa'awapuhi Valleys. Return climb of 1620 feet.
- Kaluapuhi Trail, Length: 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers. Disturbed 'o'hia montane mesic forest with some intact forest areas. Good bird watching trail.
- Pihea Trail, Length: 3.7 miles / 5.9 kilometers. Scenic nature trail along the rim of Kalalau Valley, traversing 'o'hia montane wet forest. Great bird watching trail.
- Alaka'i Swamp Trail, Length: 3.5 miles / 5.6 kilometers. Trail through native wet forest to the rim of Wainiha Pali with sweeping view of the north shore. Great bird watching trail. Trail is often wet, slippery and muddy. A boardwalk is under construction.
- Iliau Nature Loop, Length: 0.25 mile / 0.4 kilometer (length of loop). Easy roadside nature trail through dry shrubland with plants identified. Sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and Wai'alae Canyon.
- Kukui Trail, Length: 2.5 miles / 4.0 kilometers. Scenic, but steep trail into Waimea Canyon. Elevation drop of 2,000 feet.
External links
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