Hawaii Sinking Spot (alakai swamp on kauai?)

[jungleQSman]

A long While ago a bud I chatted with Lived on Hawaii, I believe on Kauai, and used to sink in the Sugar Cane Swaps there.. Does Any one have any information?

He was a sexy tatted up Body Builder named Frank, unfortunately he passed probably well over 10 yrs ago now.....

[Northerner]

I remember that post 10 years ago, and I believe he posted a picture as well. I seem to remember he said there were sinking spots in Alakai Swamp in the Koke'e State Park. Other than that though, I got nothin' ...

[jungleQSman]

I remember that post 10 years ago, and I believe he posted a picture as well. I seem to remember he said there were sinking spots in Alakai Swamp in the Koke'e State Park. Other than that though, I got nothin' ...

well thats better than no lead!

[deltahat]

I was there two months ago and did the Alakai swamp trail hike. It's a 7 mile out and back hike. Going out, the first half is up and down clay covered hillsides. It's super slippery and a great challenge to climb up and down. The second half is on a narrow boardwalk through the forest and across the swamp. The hike ends with a beautiful overlook of the Napali Coast. There is nothing keeping you on the boardwalk through the swamp. I "slipped" off the boardwalk and ended up instantly butt deep in what I imagine was bottomless peat. There is nothing preventing you from exploring further off the beaten trail.

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/hiking_kau ... i_hike.php

[Boggy Man]

Check out Google Maps, and zoom in on the brown patches:

https://www.google.com/maps/@22.0973204,-159.5698721,23098m/data=!3m1!1e3

Here are some especially interesting looking spots, because they appear to have ponds (darker areas), a good indication that the meadows are definitely wet with potential, not to mention providing a cleanup area:

https://www.google.com/maps/@22.0764581,-159.5372725,722m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@22.1264791,-159.574966,361m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@22.1283525,-159.5773024,361m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@22.1297414,-159.578547,361m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/@22.1527486,-159.6009215,361m/data=!3m1!1e3

You could also explore the streams as well for soft banks.

Happy exploring!

[deltahat]

Good luck getting to any of the spots not immediately off the Alakai swamp trail. The wilderness of north Kawaii is the definition on impenetrable (unless you have a private helicopter). The island is home to the wettest place on earth and the foliage has taken full advantage.

[mudxdresser]

Been there, done that in the '80's, actually, on my first worthless honeymoon, not worth going back for. The swamp we're talking about is, at best, a peat bog, I still have souvenir clothing stained from the adventure. There is no mud to it, everything is watery decomposing material.

Forget the swamp up there, the real play is the pure clay on the road up to the swamp, access is a real challenge. If you can't handle that, go for the sugar cane washing ponds on the west end of Kauai...

[jungleQSman]

Been there, done that in the '80's, actually, on my first worthless honeymoon, not worth going back for. The swamp we're talking about is, at best, a peat bog, I still have souvenir clothing stained from the adventure. There is no mud to it, everything is watery decomposing material.

Forget the swamp up there, the real play is the pure clay on the road up to the swamp, access is a real challenge. If you can't handle that, go for the sugar cane washing ponds on the west end of Kauai...

do tell.. about the sugar cane area... i think that's where Frank used to go!

[mudxdresser]

Not a lot to tell, I ran out of time before finding them but that was before Google satellite view. But the real problem I think that nobody mentions is that they are apparently full of sugar cane debris, yuk! The only really nice clay appears to be off the highway to the swamp.