The north shore of Kauai has fewer trails than other parts of the island, although it does have the Kalalau Trail, one of the top destination hikes in the world.   There are a few beach hikes or scrambles down to pocket beaches, but the only other hike in the Hanalei area is the Okolehao Trail.     We went out with a guide (Eric from Hike Kauai with Me).   The trailhead is just off the road to the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.

We started in the dark and watched the sun rise on the eastern side of the island.

The trail climbed steadily on a muddy path up a ridge.   At a viewpoint we had our first views of Hanalei.  The ridgeback along one side of Hanalei Bay is called Puff the Magic Dragon, the inspiration for the song by Peter, Paul, and Mary.

We climbed to a ridge viewpoint.   Above us the ridge climbed higher to the top of Kaukaopua.   A number of fixed ropes are in place for the steep and muddy track to the top and back, but conditions were marginal.   The scramble to the top of Kaukaopu would best be done in summer when conditions are drier.   We returned the way we came, coming down carefully along the slippery Okolehao Trail.

Fall is not the flowering season, but there were a few wild orchids and some flowering ginger along the trail

The return hike is about 5 miles.   Along the way we spotted an okolehao pit, a backcountry method of making a powerful alcoholic drink by fermenting ti plant roots in water, covering the pit in leaves.   Eucalyptus trees, mangos, silk oak, koa, paperbarks, Norfolk pines, silk oak, and strawberry guavas lined the trail on this pleasant rainforest hike.