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Hiking Hills, Swimming Seas, Kauai, Hawaii Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 08041A Price: $1,295 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 13 Leader:
The Trip The capacity on this trip has changed from what was previously published. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Colleen Kearney Kauai is Hawaii’s most mature main island, with beaches nestled comfortably below cliffs (pali) that tower almost straight up out of the ocean, and upland areas that provide remote hikes to waterfalls, rare birds, stunning lookouts, and lush vegetation. Our hiking-oriented trip will explore many of the trails in Koke’e State Park, with some shorter walks mingled with more athletic “scrambles”. Our longest day is a nine-mile hike through rainforest and along shear cliffs. We will also allow for more typical Hawaiian pleasures, including sleeping on a beach, snorkeling or simply catching up on that novel you have been intending to read.
You will be picked up at the Lihue Airport and transported back to our local accommodation for the week. The weather of the day might well determine which hike or swim we want to do, as rain conditions around Kauai vary considerably. Some hikes will have cliff-top views out over the ocean itself, with the beaches 4,000 feet below. We might well have White Tailed Tropic Birds soaring below us as we try to take pictures of the scene. On other days we will be hiking along the shoreline, with those same pali towering above us. As a Sierra Club trip, we will also have a service component. We may remove invasive ginger plants and we may also prune excess growth as we hike along trails. Since this is Hawaii, swimming and snorkeling will be almost daily options. If there is sufficient interest, a surfing lesson (optional) can be arranged!
Our cabins are one-room affairs, and will be shared with other participants. You will have minimal privacy, so be warned! Toilet and shower facilities are nearby, but are not within each cabin. We plan to "eat local" and participants should come prepared to experience the eclectic cuisine of a tropical island prepared in the style of the different cultures, including the original Polynesian peoples who migrated east. Island foods are fresh and healthy for hikers. In typical Sierra Club fashion, participants will take turns assisting our cook in meal prep.
Our day-hikes are between 5 and 9 miles in length. The trail surface varies but participants should be prepared daily for slippery mud and some scrambling sections. Trekking poles are quite helpful. Because of these conditions, consider a 9 mile hike the equivalent of a 12 mile hike at home. The swimming and snorkeling will be determined by each person’s desires.
Because we are not backpacking or camping out and because dress on Kauai is casual at all times, pack lightly! We will have a chance to do laundry as there are machines near our cabins. A daypack is needed, trekking poles suggested. A swim suit is important! A more detailed list will be sent upon signup and acceptance.
• Beckwith, Martha, Hawaiian Mythology Conservation Sierra Club sponsors outings so members may experience new places, people, and activities. Specifically, we aim to heighten awareness of the global environment and encourage participants to take action to protect our shrinking world and its inhabitants -- human and otherwise. On this trip, we will concentrate on Kauai and its local issues, which we can often translate into our own community’s issues. We will also learn about Hawaii's land conservation issues.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Jill McIntire lives in Berkeley, California, and has led trips on the main Hawaiian Islands and on Midway. She first went to Hawaii on a Sierra Club bicycling trip; since then, she's cycled, kayaked, and hiked the islands. Warm weather and birds are two of her passions, so Hawaii fits the bill beautifully.
Sarah O'Gara first volunteered for a service trip to prepare for a Nepal trek, but kept returning to do trail work. She discovered service trips attract interesting generous people who work hard to make a difference in the environment. For the past 8 years she has led Sierra Club service trips, cooking for hungry trail crews. She lives in Sacramento California and bikes and birds along the American River when not hiking Sierra trails.