The Waimea Canyon is spectacular. Known as the “Grand Canyon of Hawaii,” it boasts stunning colors ranging from patches of deep green foliage to the rich reds of the hawaiian soil. At ten miles long and 3,000 feet deep, it’s nowhere near the size of its North American counterpart, but still a must see. Its also home to Kauai’s best DH trail.
Kyle had this ingenious plan to use my parent’s 50cc scooter to do some shuttling. Hitting the road with a vespa strapped into the truck bed and two bikes draped over the tailgate, we felt like absolute savages and the stoke was high. A quick stop at Kalaheo Cafe and we were heading west, on our way to what I was sure would be a trip highlight.
Rim Trail hugs the western edge of the canyon rim and at times you become intimately aware of the massive drop to the left. It’s a solid 20 minute descent if you keep moving, but there are plenty of offshoots to be explored. Beginning at higher elevation, the air is noticeably cooler and more damp than the end of the trail. Traveling through climate zones means a variety of scenery and trail conditions.
Weaving our way through eucalypts at the top, there are wooden features that beg to be sessioned. Lower down, the trail opens up and you can really open the throttle. The flow this trail has is unbelievable. The dirt is incredible. But, the real treat on this lower section is the view. Riding alongside one of the most impressive geological features in the state and ripping straight for the pacific ocean is an experience few are afforded.
Riding the vespa back up the road to retrieve the truck, the poor little motor struggling under our combined weight, was an experience in itself. To be honest, it was pretty fun and, although we had to jump off to get the poor scooter up some of the steeper hills, the looks of confusion from onlookers made it all worth it.
We were able to get in a few laps in this manner, and I was able to get a few decent shots. With cramping legs, we loaded the vespa and two bikes into the truck and turned back towards home.
No comments:
Post a Comment