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Kalihi Ice Ponds
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"Maybe you're not quite there yet, but you're closer than you were yesterday."

Updated: January 16, 2019

Disclaimer: If this hike is not a part of the Na Ala Hele "State Maintained" Trails, it may be illegal or dangerous to hike, so do not attempt or HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Hik3beasthawaii is not responsible for any injuries, fines, violations you may incur. This website is solely to showcase the beauty that nature has to offer on the island of Hawaii. *****

Location: The trail is located in the back of Kalihi Valley. A short hike to a cold icy pond and waterfall!

Type: Ridge hike

Hike Difficulty: Beginner

Total Time: 30 to 45 minutes

Distance: ~1.5 miles

Elevation: ~400 feet

Things to Consider

  • Kid friendly: yes
  • Pet Friendly: yes
  • Although the hike is short, it can be a little demanding due to the uphill climb to the falls.
  • Going down the path to the waterfall can be a difficult. Slide down on your butt if you have to. There are ropes to aid you. The ground is usually muddy and slippery.
  • Beware of Leptospirosis in the water. There are signs all over the road indicating this.
  • Be courteous of the neighbors and pick up your trash and leave the place as you found it. Do not litter or make loud noises.
  • There is also another pond further up called Blue Pond, which we will discuss in this blog post as well.

Your hiking backpack

  • 1 Liter of water
  • Snacks
  • Extra clothes
  • Towel
  • Bug Spray
  • GoPro/head strap mount

Directions

Take Likelike Highway and turn onto Kalihi Street. Follow the road all the way to the end and park on the side. There are dirt spots where you can park. Be sure to park off the road and not block people from passing through because it is a narrow road. The hike starts across the bridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is where we started the hike and crossed over the bridge.

Our Journey

It's been a while since I have done this hike, mainly because of it being permanently closed down. The neighbors would complain about the hikers all the time and how they litter everywhere. So now, the trail is closed. However, people still access this trail, but just be courteous to the neighbors and if they start to make a fuss about it, respect them and leave.

This is a short hike, easy for the kids or to bring your dog for a walk. It usually rains here, so the ground can get pretty muddy and slippery. The majority of the hike is just an incline up a paved road, and then down a steep trail to the waterfall.

We crossed over the bridge to start the hike to the falls. We contoured around the gate and the road gradually inclined. The hike takes about 30 minutes or so just walking up the paved road. After, you will see a trail on the right side leading down to the falls. You should hear the stream on the right of you as you are getting closer.

Hiking down to the falls can be a little tricky, especially if it has been raining. Be careful and use the ropes to aid your descent to the falls. The pond is usually packed with people just hanging out or jumping from the rocks on the right side. Make sure you do not go in the water if you have open cuts or wounds because there is a great chance of getting Leptospirosis. Also, do not drink the water.

After a couple pictures, we headed back up the trail and wanted to continue to Blue Pond. The trail to Blue Pond is faint now and actually disappeared as we got closer. We ended up just rock hopping towards the end. You can either follow the trail, follow the road, or even hike up to Likelike Highway and walk along side the road. It takes another 15 to 20 minutes to get to Blue Pond so if you are hiking for over an hour, you probably passed it.

Blue Pond used to have a swing on top of the rock on the right side, but I guess somebody cut it down. They call it Blue Pond, because the water is a lot clearer here since it is further up stream. I like this spot because it is serene and not as much people come here as they do at the Ice Ponds. We hanged out in the water all to ourselves for a bit, and then decided to head back.

The whole trip took us about 3 hours with breaks at the pond and picture taking. If you are just going to the Ice Ponds, expect to take about an hour or so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malama the Aina. Leave no trace and pick up after yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We contoured around the right side of the gate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought this was pretty funny for somebody to write along the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A simple gradual incline up the paved road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked up for about 30 minutes or so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crossing over the stream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some parts were muddy and slippery due to the rain fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fallen trees on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More flowing water. We're getting closer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail was flooded at some parts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An old abandoned house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The incline got a little steeper, but we were almost there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail down to the falls on the right side of the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading down to the falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are ropes to aid your way down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take your time because the ground can get slippery. I fell down a couple of times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were rewarded with this beautiful waterfall.  A bunch of people were already down there enjoying the view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kalihi Ice Ponds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also climb up the falls and continue up stream if you choose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another small falls above the first one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to head back and up and continue on to the Blue Pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A faint trail leading to the next pond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like somebody is living here or made a camp here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trail disappeared and we ended up just rock hopping across the stream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We continued upstream for about 20 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The forest became a little dense, but opened up to a beautiful pond!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The water is a lot clearer here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had the whole place to ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can jump off from this rock into the pond!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue Pond is so peaceful, we stayed here and enjoyed nature for a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We explored a little further upstream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to head back as it was getting late. Enough adventuring for today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One last look at the Blue Pond before heading back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After getting lost in the forest, rock hopping, we finally ended up back on the paved road and back to the gate. What a great adventure!

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Kalihi Ice Ponds
> > KALIHI ICE PONDS >
Related hikes you might like.
Follow us for more adventures!!!
HIK3BEASTHAWAII
Kalihi Ice Ponds
> > KALIHI ICE PONDS >
Related hikes you might like.
Follow us for more adventures!!!
Contact Us: Contact@hik3beasthawaii.com
Hikers Welcome HIK3BEASTHAWAII
Kalihi Ice Ponds
> > KALIHI ICE PONDS >
Related hikes you might like.
Follow us for more adventures!!!
Contact Us: Contact@hik3beasthawaii.com
Hikers Welcome HIK3BEASTHAWAII
Kalihi Ice Ponds
> > KALIHI ICE PONDS >
Related hikes you might like.
Follow us for more adventures!!!