Kalalau Trail ito Hanakapiai Beach n Kauai

Kalalau Trail is one to not be missed for hikers when visiting the island of Kauai.  Trailhead begins at the end of the road for cars near Haena Park and Tunnels Beach.  You can only hike about 3-4 miles in without a permit and overnight gears.  We hiked 2 miles in to get to Hanakapiai beach.

First Aw-insipiring view about 10-15 minutes in...

lots of red dirt

great views of the Napali Coast

The 4 mile moderately strenuous hike took about 4 hours.  Lots of rocks and switchbacks on the rail, so be sure wear a good pair of hiking sandals or shoes.

Big Basin's Berry Creek Loop Hike on 9/15/2012

My sister and I hiked this 11 mile loop trail for my birthday.  This was a relatively easy trail with the exception around the fall where we had to hold onto the roped rail due to the slippery steps.  It took us almost 6 hours.  Beautiful and relaxing (and long and strenuous all at the same time)!

Half Dome Hike in Yosemite National Park on June 3, 2013

After months of training and waiting, I successfully hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.  This hike was definitely one with bragging rights!! It took me nearly 14 hours of trekking, 2 bananas, 2 peaches, 6 bottles of water, 2 pbj sandwiches, and a bag of nuts,  and 3 bathroom breaks (1 in the wild) and overcoming the fear of climbing up the famous cable to the top. 

Once at the top, you get the panoramic view of the entire Yosemite Valley below as well as many of the peaks surrounding this beautiful park.

At Vernal Fall, about 1.3 miles.

Nevada Fall, 2.6 miles

Beautiful view of the Neavada Fall

Misty trail somewhere between mile 3-4.

At about 5-6 miles. taking a break to capture some deer family. 

Approaching the Ranger Station, about 6-7th mile.

You have to show the ranger your permit to enter at this point for the climb to the cable! You need your ID and  everyone in your party needs to be with you.

A very difficult 45 minutes of hiking here, step by step, rock by rock, to the base of the Cable. This was around 11:30am.  We had been hiking around 5 hours already.  At above 8000 ft elevation, this part of the hike was by far the most difficult I have ever done anywhere.  The muscles and heart needing to rest about every 10 steps. 

At the base of the cable.

Here my sister met up at the top of Half Dome!