GUNUNG · United States

Kaʻau Crater

Information

Elevation: 462 m
Country: United States (US)
Mountain type: Kerucut tuf (gunung berapi)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: 21.3286, -157.7725

Description

Kaʻau Crater (~462 m / 1,516 ft) is an ancient volcanic tuff cone at the head of Pālolo Valley, Oʻahu, Hawaii — part of the Honolulu Volcanic Series that formed a circular crater nestled in the Koʻolau Range. It is best known for the 'Kaʻau Crater Loop', one of Oʻahu's most iconic and demanding hikes: past three waterfalls, up rope-assisted climbs beside the falls, then around the crater rim along the slippery Koʻolau ridge.

Routes

Air terjun pulang-pergi (varian singkat)

Menengah

±3–4 jam pulang-pergi

A shorter variant that stops at the waterfalls (typically the second or third fall) and turns back, without the rope climb to the rim or the Koʻolau ridge loop. Suited to those who want the stream-and-waterfall section without the full loop's risk and length.

Source

Kaʻau Crater Loop (Lembah Pālolo)

Sulit

±5–7 jam (loop)

The classic loop from the head of Pālolo Valley: following the stream with many crossings, past three waterfalls, and up rope-assisted climbs beside the last fall to the crater rim. From there the trail circles the rim along the slippery, muddy Koʻolau ridge before descending. Challenging, wet, and easy to lose — best done in dry weather.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Experiences at Kaʻau Crater are usually the challenging loop from Pālolo Valley: following the stream past three waterfalls, climbing rope-assisted sections beside the falls, then circling the crater rim along the muddy Koʻolau ridge before descending. The first-person videos below show wet trail conditions, the roped sections, and panoramas of the crater and coastline from the ridge.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.