Here's our story of our adventure today with Wailua Falls. There's not a ton of parking but people move in and out of the lookout pretty quick so it's not a big wait for a spot. Some stay and do the hike, like us, but those are the few. We honestly didn't really know what we were getting into. We looked at the falls from the lookout but we had read about the hike down to the base of the falls and we wanted to do it.
First, on our way to the lookout I wanted to ask a local if he knew anything about the hike. We met Coconut, a sweet native to the Island who loved Jesus and was making baskets, fishes and chickens out of palms. He advised us about the terrain, informing us that it was steep from the start and then got less steep but was slipper and muddy the whole way. He told us to be careful and not to swim under the falls because people have died. He made fishes and chickens for all the kids :)
Here's how to find the trail. Just before the lookout is a guardrail and a fence. You go between those two and you'll see a path.
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We stood at the top of the trail with 6 little boys all 6 and under and spoke with a nice man who had just come back up. Moses started to cry at the steepness of the terrain and wanted to turn back. The man shared what we could expect and in detail told us how it went. Steep in the beginning...less steep... muddy...steep...muddy...lots of mosquitos...waterfall! I had left Zeke at home with Jeff to nap so if we had him I think we would have turned back. But I turned to Michelle and she had that look in her eye...the LETS JUST DO IT!!! look. We decided to go slow and help one kid at a time at the steep parts. Michelle was carrying Lincoln on her back though and so she would need to be extra careful. And so we went...
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Here's the beginning part after the steep roots. More roots and you need to hold this rope as you go down the hill. Kids did great. Michelle had Lincoln on her back and I held Moses. But we made it. Becky stayed with Silas and Nathan and made sure they had all the help they needed. Eli and Adrian were like monkeys and we mostly only saw the backs of their heads.
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The only "easy" part before the opening!
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We made it!!
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Worth the decent.
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It felt good to take all those boys down that hard steep trail. We were not afraid. This was one of those moments when we feel accomplished. Our life with these boys is hard...it's good...but it's hard. And when you put dinner in the crock pot at 10 am you can't help but raise your hands in the air and say "WE WIN". It was kinda like that.
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Heading back up the boys were all like "Whatever...we go this"...gone. We could hardly keep up.
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In all those roots and lava rocks there is a trail...
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| Shaka! |
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Moses found his confidence and persevered. No help on the way back up with Becky.
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Wear some old running shoes, put lots of bug spray on and don't bring much to carry. The hike down is only about 15-20 with kids. Shorter obviously if it's just you and friend. The way back up is easier and a bit shorter. But yes...Wailua Falls Trail in Kauai is possible to hike with kids. Just go slow.
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