Dupont Trail

Unfortunately this trail is guarded by a DuPont security guard. Maybe you could slip by right at sunrise…
Safer approach is from South to get to Ka’ala summit.

The Dupont trail is really closed. You’d walk a mile down a private road to find the final gate leading to the trailhead is closed, gated, has «NO HIkers» signs on it PLUS one of the property owners/​caretakers lives directly next to the gate. you have to walk past his truck and if he is there he definitely will stop you. not worth the time. go up ka’ala via the waianae side.

First off, a warning. Do not attempt this hike alone. There are at least two spots that are no kidding dangerous. You will need someone with you to help you complete it. Do not attempt this hike unless you are in decent shape. You should be able to run a few miles without stopping and do a few unassisted pull ups. Do not attempt this hike without enough water. This hike is about 5 hours, one way. Going down doesn’t make it much faster. I am a 230 lb man in decent shape and I went through about half a liter an hour. Plan to bring more than you need my buddy ran out with about an hour left.
This hike is 5.5 miles one way, with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. You’ll be climbing from the Waialua HS area to the top of Mt Ka’ala, the highest point on Oahu. I did this trail one way, as the descent of a through hike of Mt Ka’ala. I ascended on the Waianae side, on the Mt Ka’ala Trail. Please read my review of the Mt Ka’ala Trail to get more information on the quality of the trails and the summit of Mt Ka’ala. The authoritative guide for this trail is Stuart Ball’s «Trails of Oahu».
Dupont trail is not in great repair. From my estimation, it hasn’t been getting many visitors, and it’s not as clear and well marked as the Waianae side. The big concern with lack of maintenance on this trail, however, is the cables. There are cables tied off at all the tricky spots to help you up/​down. Test them with your weight in a safe spot before you trust them with your life. I had a rope break on me about half way down. The computer cables are probably a better bet most of the time, as the weather doesn’t deteriorate them as much as the ropes.
The first section of is hike is going tone pretty devoted to making sure you know where the trail is actually at. I can’t offer any advice on that, since I lost the trail in that section and just turned straight toward farrington hwy.
Once you get to the middle portion, you’ll know it. The trail will be about 6 feet wide in most places, with enough of a grade to keep you sweating the rest of the time. You’ll start to see cables now. Mostly, they’ll be in areas where the grade and the loose gravel would otherwise prevent you from moving past.
There are two particularly tricky spots in this action of the hike. The first is a 20 foot down climb. There are plenty of easy hand and footholds, and a cable, but it is exposed, with very long drops on either side. It’s tempting to forget the cable so you can climb with both hands. I decided to hang onto it strictly for safety purposes, despite it making the climb a little more difficult. The second spot is an exposed neck of rock. No cable at this one. The rock is about 3 feet wide, with very long drops on either side. Hands and knees.
After these, there are some more cable spots up slippery clay inclines, then you’ll get to the upper portion. When you see the decommissioned radar, your troubles are largely over, as it’ll be stairs the rest of the way.
You’ll reach the top at Mt Ka’ala Rd. Take a left. The road is tightly controlled, and the military doesn’t allow hiking on it. This will take you to the FAA radar station. Walking along the outside of the fence will give you a view from pearl harbor to the north shore. To your right, as you face the station, is the Ka’ala Wilderness Area. There’s a boardwalk through the bog on top of the mountain, where you’ll find a very interesting variety of rare high altitude native plants.
Tips:
Don’t take more than you need. I took 7 liters of water and used almost all of it. I had 2000 calories of snacks, but only ate about 400. I took a rope and harness, but didn’t use them and wouldn’t take it next time. I took a sleeping bag, and would highly recommend that or an emergency blanket, in case you need to bunker down.
Gloves. You’ll want them when you’re going down for the cables.
Footwear. You should wear something light with plenty of grip on the bottom but enough cushion to take care of your feet over 11 miles. I chose tennis shoes.
Pants. You’ll find plenty of blackberry brambles near the top. Wear shorts if you feel like looking like Swiss cheese.
I would not go up Dupont and down Waianae. Waianae is much steeper, and should be tackled on the way up, not the way down.
This hike can be done in a day, but you need to start early and keep moving. On the first time through, I’d take what you need to stay overnight «bare bones». Just in case.
Extra socks were awesome. I switched at the top. I switched T-​shirts too, and that felt great. You will soak through your clothes and possibly destroy a pair of pants on this trip.
Sunscreen.
Get dropped off and picked up if at all possible. I’m not convinced that either the Dupont or the Waianae trailheads are safe enough to park your cars at.
This is an awesome hike that easily offers the rewards in views and cool stuff at the top. The challenge is worth it, and you’ll be able to say you’ve climbed to the highest spot on the island.