1887 Map
I've accounts of almost a early dozen Waialeale ascents and will use them to show how the Waialeale Trail has evolved since the nineteen century.
But as shown in the old maps, little was known of the interior. If you've hiked some of the trails south of Koaie Gorge, you'll appreciate how rarely you can see even fifty feet, much less see enough to get an idea of the lay of the land.
The early maps show little detail of the interior of the island, mostly speculation. For example, this one doesn't show Koaie Stream and the Makaweli drainage is quite small. Nothing at Kawaikini, the highest point on the island. It does show a route approximating the Alakai Swamp Trail, then dropping into Wainiha Valley. Detail along the coast line is fairly accurate.
1887 Map
I've accounts of almost a early dozen Waialeale ascents and will use them to show how the Waialeale Trail has evolved since the nineteen century.
But as shown in the old maps, little was known of the interior. If you've hiked some of the trails south of Koaie Gorge, you'll appreciate how rarely you can see even fifty feet, much less see enough to get an idea of the lay of the land.
The early maps show little detail of the interior of the island, mostly speculation. For example, this one doesn't show Koaie Stream and the Makaweli drainage is quite small. Nothing at Kawaikini, the highest point on the island. It does show a route approximating the Alakai Swamp Trail, then dropping into Wainiha Valley. Detail along the coast line is fairly accurate.