Nounou East - Sleeping Giant

The Sleeping Giant's head.

Today we decided to travel north from Poipu along Highway 56, past Lihue and into the city of Wailua for a hike up Mt. Nounou. Located within the Nounou Forest Reserve, the mountain is commonly known as Sleeping Giant, because it looks like a person reclining from a distance.

The trailhead is located near a water pump in a neighborhood in Wailua, and ascends about 1000 feet during the 2 mile trek. Along the way you can see tremendous views of Wailua Bay and the surrounding neighborhoods.

During the hike, both Erin and I encountered minor setbacks, which actually come up any time we hike a mountain.  Any steeply ascending hike challenges Erin as she works to increase her endurance, while my fear of heights slows me down at times.  I'm OK as long as there is vegetation around me, which helps me feel more secure.  But once I hit an open area, such as the rock scramble up a ridge at the very end of the Nounou hike, I have to suck it up and face my fears.  In this case, it was well worth the view.

King Kong's Profile from a distance.

One of the neat things you can see from the trail is Mano Mountain, or better known as, King Kong's Profile.  It is so-named because it resembles King Kong from the 1976 version of that movie.  It might not be quite as noticeable from the trail, but you can really see it driving along the highway from the north.

Greg & Erin at the picnic area.

Is that an undershirt?

There is a small picnic area with a lookout at the top.  We saw few people on the trail that day, but there was a family picnicing who offered to take our picture.  Later, we traversed up a narrow ridge (Erin had to really encourage Mr. Scaredy Pants to make it) and stood on the giant's forehead.

All in all, a really fun hike!