The Waimea Canyon is about 3000 feet deep, and was created
by the volcanic crater splitting due to a geological fault. The split then
funneled most of the Island's rainfall into the Waimea River causing extreme
erosion.
There's two ways to see the Waimea Canyon, by either helicopter
or hiking the trails. You can probably guess that we chose to hike it.
We woke about 4:45 AM, did our final packing and hit the
road. We drove for about 2 hours through rain with hopes the weather would
improve. Given the topography of Kauai, and the road network, we needed to
drive counter-clockwise around 60% of the Island before we could start inland up
the Canyon. The drive up along the Canyon's west ridge was slow and winding. As
we ascended, the rain stopped and we broke through the clouds into a beautiful
sunny day. In addition, to our surprise, the Canyon was almost cloud free. We
were ahead of the tourist flow, and the second group to start down our chosen
trail to a waterfall, part way down the canyon wall.
As we descended into the Canyon, the wall was steep but the
switchbacks hike-able. There are various trails down into the Canyon. They're
located where vegetation stabilizes the wall. As a result, on much of the
trail, views were limited to glimpses where the trail broke out of the
vegetation on the ridges.
We made it to the Falls and a pool located a short way down
from the top. I had some concern that current could carry us over the remaining
couple of hundred feet or so.
There were warning signs about diving into the pool, but
nothing about a dangerous current. We swam, and the water was more refreshing
than expected.
By the time we finished and dried off, clouds had rolled
into the Canyon. The rain started as we headed back up the trail.
We hiked on, taking care where the trail was particularly greasy.
Fortunately, we climbed out of the rain and made it back safe, sound and relatively dry. Before the day was out, the clouds came and went a few more times, and only the pictures can tell the story.
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