Halepe is in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on the southern tip of the Big Island. The trip was a combo, hiking the Hilina Pali Trail, camping at Halepe Beach, and hiking out on the Keauhou Trail. Me and my fiance Tegan hiked this trail over two days in January 2010. This trail offers huge views of the pacific, endless lava fields and a little gem of a beach that not just anybody gets to see.
 |
| View from the top! |
The Hilina Pali section is just 13 kms, and essentially all of that is downhill. The terrain is a bit rough, as most of the trail is a lava field that is just a little bit overgrown. There isn't really a
trail for the most part, but plenty of cairns show you where to go.
Walking in this terrain, you are forced to walk through ankle high grass. The grass seeds break off and work their way through your socks. As an added bonus, they are sharp little bastards that hurt like hell. It took an hour to pick them all out later that night. If I were to do this hike again, I would tape my ankles in duct tape, or wear boots.
 |
| Tegan Checkin out a Cairn. |
The sun was setting as we got closer to the beach-which was quite the site! After walking in hot sun and grass seeds and lava and the same old view... this little beach, circled in palm trees, seems to pop out of nowhere. It was one of those perfect little moments. We got there just in time to set up the tent without the fly and sleep under the stars by the ocean. Ahhh Hawaii-
 |
| Sun set approaching Halepe Beach. Doesn't get much better than that. |
 |
| Tent at Halepe |
|
 |
| View from Halepe Beach |
|
Hiking out the next day just cookin. One thing that different here, compared to anywhere else I've hiked is the complete lack of fresh water. Luckily there was a water cache at the beach. We filled up, ut even better, we hauled away a few coconuts for some sweet sustenance on the hot trail.
 |
| Perfect Coconut for a drink. |
 |
| Feelin warm. |
|
|
There was literally no shade for the entire hike out. It was just hot hot sun, and this time it was all uphill. We did find one Guava which pretty much made my day. The only difference in terrain was the massive black lava field at the end of the hike. It was kind of cool because the lava almost seemed hollow in places. It sounded like you might just fall through it.
 |
| Tegan, and one of the few trees. |
 |
| Lava field. |
