Exploring Maui’s Natural Wonders!

Here we are, back once again to share the highlights of our Maui trip. In today’s post, we’ll delve into the adventures of our first two days on the island—Monday and Tuesday. It’s worth noting that Monday also happened to be Memorial Day, which added an extra layer of activity to our experiences. On Monday, May 29th, we were slowly regaining our energy after battling jet lag, and we needed every ounce of it for the day ahead.

Our first destination was the Waihe’e Ridge Trail. We stumbled upon this gem while watching Ryan Shirley’s “Top 10 Places to Visit in Maui” YouTube video. The drive to the trailhead from our Kihei condo was nothing short of breathtaking. We passed cliffs and overlooks with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, seizing every opportunity for photos along the way. The parking lot at the trailhead is small, so an early start is advisable. There is an overflow lot further down the road, but it adds a steep walk to an already challenging trail. Also, there’s a porta-potty in the main parking lot, a handy detail to know. The hike begins with a steep, almost vertical climb that sets the tone for what’s to come. The All Trails app rates the Waihe’e Ridge Trail as hard, and it lives up to that designation. Every step involves an ascent or descent, with only brief respites of level ground. The initial part of the trail winds through a lush Hawaiian forest, offering welcome shade and opportunities to admire the towering trees. As we gained elevation, the trail opened up to reveal breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged cliffs, and distant mountain ridges. I gave my best effort, but I must admit I couldn’t finish the roughly 4-mile out-and-back trail. Nevertheless, even if you don’t complete it, you’re still treated to a plethora of exquisite views that make the effort worthwhile.

After descending the trail, we headed to find lunch. We decided to try the food trucks in the parking lot across from Costco, where we stumbled upon one of our favorite discoveries in Hawaii—the frosty pog. A frosty pog is a divine blend of Passion fruit, Orange, and Guava juice, mixed with sherbet and vanilla ice cream. It’s a taste of paradise and worth traveling across the continent for. The food truck lot offers a variety of culinary delights, ensuring you won’t go hungry. The remainder of the day was spent relaxing and making a quick Target run.

Tuesday morning called for more exploration. We decided to embark on the Maui North Shore Drive, stopping at any intriguing sights along the way. Some of these places might have names, but unfortunately, we didn’t have them on hand. During our drive, we encountered several scenic overlooks, and we couldn’t resist pulling over for photos. Our first significant stop was at a random roadside beach we spotted from an outlook. It was a hive of activity, with snorkelers enjoying the crystal-clear waters. We decided to explore further and were rewarded. Just off the highway, a short trail led us into a shaded oasis created by magnificent Banyan Trees. It was an ideal spot for a picnic, with shade and breathtaking views. Our next overlook offered us an unexpected treat—a pod of Spinner dolphins frolicking just 200 yards from the same snorkelers we’d seen earlier.

Our next major stop was the Nakalele Blowhole. As the name suggests, it’s a spot where crashing waves create a regular geyser-like spectacle. The trail down to the blowhole seemed fairly steep, but those who ventured down reported it wasn’t too challenging. After marveling at the blowhole, we continued our journey along the North Shore Drive. Be prepared; this drive is not for the faint-hearted. It involves blind corners and tight squeezes, with points where only one car’s width fits. If you’re not comfortable or want to drive slowly, use the shoulders when available to let faster drivers pass safely.

Both of these days were physically demanding but incredibly rewarding. Stay tuned for my next post, where we’ll share our Wednesday and Thursday adventures in Hawaii.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more about our Hawaiian escapades in the next post. Until then, safe travels and happy reading!

Clint Wehrman