Ahren’s Ditch (waiawa trail) – March 19, 2013

Well, I think we did it, somewhat. If you look on the web for information, there are only a few articles. Going on that small piece of info, E decided to join me on finding the Old Ahren’s Ditch A.K.A. Waiawa Ditch Trail.

This hike will turn hikers off for many reasons 1) you have to go in and out of 2 valleys and back 2) little reward 3) no clear directions on the web (only the McMahon news article in 2001 & a few Dayle Turner posts).

The plan today was to start on Manana, drop off into the valley up to Iliahi ridge, and drop off into the valley again up to the Waiawa trail. Then we would go either left or right creating a loop while finding the Old Ahren’s Ditch, and then go back the way we came. Mileage – a lot. There is also an alternative route that starts by the Mililani Memorial Cemetery, but that would have to wait for another day.

E and I met at the Manana trailhead and started at 8:30am. We veered off the Manana trail into the valley and up to Iliahi ridge. We immediately found a trail leading to some power lines on Iliahi ridge that dropped down into Waiawa Valley.

I expected an overgrown trail. To our surprise, there were multiple trails going all over the place. Not only were there multiple trails, these trails were wide like a super highway. E took out his pink ribbon and tagged some trees so we wouldn’t get lost on our way back. We meandered in the valley for a while, doubt always creeps into your mind when you are doing an exploration hike. But eventually, we started heading uphill in the right direction and found the Waiawa Trail.

Just like the news article said, the Waiawa Trail goes left and right. We chose to go left. After a short while, we completed a short loop of sorts. ??? Erik noticed it, then I confirmed his observation. I remember saying to him, “where’s the ditch”. So we went back and found a trail that went mauka to find the ditch.

The trail hit a ridge, then went down into the valley. At this point, we were just hiking. It is apparent that mountain bikers still use this trail as we could see tire marks all over the place. At this time, we saw what appeared to be a stream bed, however, it looked man made. This is what we assumed was the Old Ahren’s Ditch. I have not seen photos on the web, so I don’t know what it would look like.

We followed the Ditch for a while before getting back to the top of the ridge. We were exhausted already. We continued on, reaching the starting point of the Waiawa trail again, but we ended up on the left fork again, why? I don’t know because we were supposed to end up on the right fork.

F-it! We decided to head back. My legs were so tight already. I still haven’t recovered from Waiahole Uka-Manana from this past Saturday. We had to go down and up the two valleys again. Damn, Erik and I were sore already. Erik also did hikes the past two days, so I know he was hurting.

While going back to the Manana trailhead, I came to the conclusion that we did find the Old Ahren’s Ditch and did almost all of the Waiawa trail, so I can check this one off the list. The post meal hike was at Palisades Drive Inn again, just like Saturday. I ordered the same food – cheeseburger, fries, & a coke. The All American Meal.