Hi Martha. I think you’re referring to the Pu’u Manamana hike, which is much longer and more dangerous than this one, but uses the same trailhead.

This guide is just for the short 20-30 minute hike to the ridge at Crouching Lion. It’s easy to turn back there if you don’t want to go further.

I live at the base of this mountain. We watch mostly lost, often injured, and all too often dead hikers, get emergency air-lifted off the mountain, on average, weekly. It happens so often, it doesn’t make the news unless someone dies.

We watch most of these rescues just a few hundred yards past the waterfall ALL THE TIME! The trail is NOT WELL MARKED!!!!!

If you plan to attempt this hike, please begin from the Crouching Lion side. There is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS section, closer to the Crouching Lion side, which people have to swing, Tarzan style, around a cliff face. People beginning from the Hidden Valley side (Huamalani St) reach this impasse at the end of their day, without enough time to make it back if they find themselves unable to do the Tarzan, swing thing.

Please be properly prepared!!!-
-Wear proper foot gear. Crampons. This means crampons!!!!
-Give yourselves 12 hours of daylight!!!! It’s WAY farther than it looks!!!!!!
-Carry NEON trail tape!!!!! To find your way back if you can’t proceed forward!
-Be equipt to spend the night (IN THE RAIN!!!!!)
– This is NOT A HIKE FOR CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s one of the most DANGEROUS on Oahu!!!! (up to the waterfall isn’t too bad).
Thank You, be safe and have fun.

-Please be safe and fun!!

That hasn’t been enforced at all for years. My friends have gone to Crouching Lion again recently, and if you look at AllTrails there are hundreds of reviews from people who hiked it recently with no problem.