The first real hike we did in Yosemite National Park was the Lukens lake hike. It was 2.3 miles to the lake which was very beautiful and was well worth the hike.
If you do this hike make sure you bring bug spray because the bugs are really bad on this hike. One bug almost carried away my brother.
We set up our base camp at Dorst Creek and then hiked out all over the park. As a group, we got in over 30 miles in the four days we were in Sequoia National Park.
One of our most favorite trails was our backpacking trip to Emerald Lake on the Lakes Trail.
Step one, we went to Lodgepole Visitor Center and put in for a Wilderness Permit. Step two, we packed our packs and headed out on the trail.
The Lakes Trail is about 15-17 miles depending how much wandering you do. We wandered all over and got in about 15 miles.
Elevation change for Emerald lake is about 5000 feet. You start at 6800 and go up to 9200 or so. It is a tough hike to the lakes. The trail gets very steep at times and it is quite challenging.
Our group consisted of one old man [our dad], our mom, and us – 13, 11, and 5 years of age.
Yes, a 5-year-old did backpack the entire trail with a pack.
Starting off was pretty easy. The Wilverine had to stop for gummy bears quite a few times.
We stopped for lunch on the way up at the watchtower. Take the watchtower trail; do not take the hump trail. The views on the watchtower trail were spectacular and the elevation was not nearly as extreme.
After the watchtower, the trail gets very rocky and narrow. If you look over the edge of the trail, the valley bottom is a long way down.
The first lake you encounter is Heather Lake. Next up is Aster Lake and then Emerald. The last lake is Pear Lake.
We camped at Emerald Lake and were the only people in the camp. We saw only a few people the entire time on the mountain and it was awesome.
If you are in the area and have a chance to hike or backpack the Lakes Trail, we encourage you to do it. It was a really cool trip.
What a cool lake with spectacular views.
We love us some big trees and there is simply no better place to see big trees than Sequoia National Park’s Giant Forest.
We hiked all over the Giant Forest and spent time with General Sherman, the Congress, the Senate, and the President. We also saw many other giant trees like Chief Sequoya. Although the Wilverine complained about hiking the whole time we still had fun. What a cool place!
General Sherman is a huge tree. Sherman is the largest tree in the world. The Wilverine says “it is the fattest, reddest tree I have ever seen and it got struck by lightning, which is why the top quit growing. If you go here, you are going to see a big fat red tree that does not grow at the top. It is a really cool tree and you should go see it.” My mom says it’s like a human because it has quit growing up, but is still growing out.
On the Congress trail, you can see the Senate, the House, and the President. The Wilverine says “the President was huge. That is it.”
Giants are everywhere in the Sequoias. Chief Sequoyah and the McKinley tree were massive.
We are running our base camp from Dorst Creek Campground, site number 65. It is a walk-in tent only site and it is the best site ever. We have access to the river and can run free without bothering anyone.
We are backpacking as well and will post about our trip to Emerald Lake later. It is a 15-mile round trip backpacking trip with almost 5000 feet of elevation change. Hard core!
We went to the Polynesian Cultural Center for the Alii Luau and had a great time at some of the island stations.
Do note that if you book a luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center and plan to go the islands before the luau that you need to arrive at noon if you intend to visit every island and see each island show. Samoa and Tonga are great, but take nearly an hour each if you want to see all of the fun shows at each island.
The first island we visited was Samoa. We got to attempt to make fire with two sticks and watch a show where they made all sorts of stuff with coconuts, climbed a palm tree, and twirled a fire staff. Samoa was super fun and the best island in our opinion. The Samoan dudes were great and very entertaining.
The other station that we went to was Tonga where my dad entertained everyone by wearing a grass skirt while dancing and playing the drums.
After the shows we went to the luau and saw another fire twirler. We also had a feast of pig, steak, chicken, fish, sweet potatoes, and purple poi bread. The buffet was well worth the money. The Kalua pig was the best we tasted at any time while on the island.
Lastly, we saw the Hau – Breath of Life. It was incredible! For sure, you have to see it if you are at the Polynesian Cultural Center for a luau.
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This hike was a paved hike that was short, fast, and somewhat flat. We did it with our friends and had a lot of fun hiking along the coast and seeing the amazing views of Hawaii like this view of the koko head crater.
The trail has a low cement border to keep you from falling off.
It is well marked and very clean. Some folks were riding bikes on the trail when we were there.
From the first viewpoint, you get a nice view of the koko head crater.
We will put a whooping on koko head before we head out.
The trail goes on for about 2 miles.
From the last few viewpoints, you get great views of the pacific ocean.
The top lookout has a great view of a small island.
We didn’t get to go to the lighthouse because it was government property but we got a pretty good view of the lighthouse from the trail. There is a trail that leads to the lighthouse, but that trail is private property.
The hike is very easy and only takes about 1 and 1/2 hours if you move briskly and do not stop a ton. If you have little kids and stop quite a bit, the hike will take more around 2 hours. It is well worth the time.
We hiked the Diamond Head Crater trail a couple days ago. It was a really fun hike. It only takes about 2 hours total and the hike is barely 2 miles. The total elevation change going up and back down is 1520 feet. 760 feet up and 760 down. Lots of people were on the trail of all ages so make sure you do not miss out if you’re in Oahu.
We posed for a group pic before filling up water bottles and heading to the trail.
The trail starts off paved and then turns to rocks and some boulders. It is a clear trail that is well marked with rails. It is very safe even for little people.
There is one section where you go through a cave, up a couple hundred stairs, and around a spiral staircase. We liked this so much we did it twice and ran up the stairs. Macho!
The views from the top were spectacular. You get a stamp if you make it to the top. You must bring a receipt or a map along with you. You can also buy a certificate at the top for five dollars.
What an awesome hike. We ran down to get in an extra workout.
Off to the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail for more hiking.
Today we decided to go surfing with Hawaiian Oceans Waikiki.
JP was our coach and he did an outstanding job. He told me to go straight, then turn left, then turn right, then move up 3 feet, go back 4 feet, jump 3 times, all while looking super cool. I did it all with style.
Ben is hanging ten or attempting to hang ten. Ben has style, but not as much as me.
We both had a blast riding the waves all the way to the beach. Don’t we look macho!
Here we go.
I had a ton of fun learning to wipeout!!!!!
The Wilverine is not pictured, as he had a melt down and did not get to surf. He is going to try another day.
Waikiki is a great place to surf and Hawaiian Oceans Waikiki will get you coached up.
We have been here in Oahu for 6 days and have checked out a ton of beaches.
So far, we feel the Kailua Beach / Lanikai is the best beach.
It has very clear water, lots of soft sand, and lots of shade trees in case you need them.
The mountains are right behind you and you feel like you are on the beach in Jurassic park without the dinosaurs, of course.
The water is pretty calm and super clear. Snorkeling was great here. Not a ton of sea life, but very clear water.
Enjoying the soft sand and clear water.
The water really is that blue / green.
From the water, you can see a forest right on the beach with beautiful mountains right behind the trees.
You have lots of shade if you get tired of the sun.Lots of restrooms on site with showers to wash off.
We felt it was a beach just for kids. The three of us were surrounded by lots of other kids.
Football and bbqs were going on all over the beach. We will definitely visit this one again before we have to leave Oahu.
We got up and my parents went for a run and brought us back some Portugese style donuts called malasadas from a bakery called Leonard’s
Then, to work off all those donuts’ we went on one of the scariest hikes we have ever done, just to get to a waterfall.
We hiked down to Waimano Falls which is a spur trail off of the Manana Trail.
You get to the Manana Trail from Pearl City by taking Kaahele Street from H1.
From Kaahele street, you take Komo Mai Drive straight to the trail head.
There is little parking so be aware of that. You will have to park on the street.
Map of the Manana trail in Pearl City – link
Many websites list the hike as super easy, but that is not the case.
It is well worth the time and effort, but it is a tough hike for sure.
But it was worth it and we went rope swinging and cliff-jumping into a deep pool.
The hike out was very tough and steep but was not quite as scary as the hike in.
once we finished the hike’ we needed to wash off the mud so we went to the beach to relax and build a pyramid
After the beach, everyone was hungry so we stopped at a place called the rainbow drive-in
#1 food stop so far on our trip – Rainbow Drive-In!
You must go here if you are in Oahu!
Then after we went to the rainbow drive-in we stopped at a souvenir shop to get Hawaiian shirts and a hat for me.
We will post a group pic of us with our shirts and Wilverine in his matching shorty shorts that he loves.
We are out the door for more fun in the sun.
Peace out yo.
We woke up in our condo to the sound of jackhammers and left immediately to go to the beach, find some shoes for me, and go try out a place called Mike’s Huli chicken. While we were in target we noticed it started raining and decided we would go to the beach later. So we went to mikes Huli chicken for the best chicken i have ever eaten.
After a bite to eat at the Huli chicken truck we went to a deserted beach on the north shore so the Wilverine could wear his shorts granpa or pawpaw style.
On our way home we decided we were in a mood for shaved ice and stopped at a food truck gathering to try it Hawaiian style. It was a blend of ice cream and shaved ice. Not bad at all.
Huli huli means turn turn. Huli chicken is really good rotisserie chicken cooked over an open fire on sticks that are turned over and over again = huli huli. Local Hawaiian wood is used for cooking the chicken. It is usually lightly salted with sea salt and flavored by the smoke from the wood.