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Walking 4000 Feet above Na Pali Coast on the Pihea Trail to Alaka`i Swamp.
(26.Sep.2002) The trail is accessible via road 550, leading from the coast town of Waimea along Waimea Canyon to Koke`e State Park. Along the 20 miles/33km ride you will pass a few crowded Canyon vistas and enter clearly a colder and humid environment. This is a very special micro climate, which created the highest located swamp on the entire planet: The Alaka`i Swamp. Because in this humid environment due point is often very close to the ambient temperature, clouds may appear and vanish in a matter of minutes. While walking the Pihea Trail visitors have to be lucky to see the NaPali coastline lying approx. 4000 below. We saw at least one valley, the Kalalau Valley, before the clouds took over and it also vanished behind a uniform white "milk". On our way back we encountered rainfall and the trail became quite troublesome at parts. We were happy to reach our car and get some hot coffee at the Koke`e Lodge! Plan the hike accordingly and do not be surprised by the darkness out there! |
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