Waimea canyon

Waimea canyon is the work of wind and rain, the latter flowing off the summit of Mount Waialeale. Over thousands of years the water has flowed, and today we get to enjoy the fruit of the rains labor.

Worthy of a day trip, Waimea canyon offers much more that your run of the mill canyon. Following the raod through the park not only affords you grand views of the canyon, but of a few other sites worth mentioning. The Alakai Swamp is one of those.

Waipoo falls is another stop, with a short hike (3 1/2 miles roundtrip) you can see the falls and what can be called the Yosemite of the Pacific. Its hard to believe that all of these reside in Kokee State park.

If you are planning a trip to visit Waimea canyon there are some thing that you should take in to consideration.

First of which is to remember to bring rain gear. It is, and can be quite wet up here and rain gear will help you stay dry. Remember that Mt. Waialeale is the wettest spot on earth with an annual rainfall of some 460 inches a year! This eroded, extinct volcano (now a caldera) and the surrounding park are 10 to 15 degrees cooler than lower elevations, so some light fleece is not a bad idea.

With over 45 miles of trails in Waimea canyon and the surrounding area, Waimea canyon is one of the highlights to any trip to Kauai. Whether you experience it on your own or as part of a tour, it is well worth a visit.