Kauai Trailblazer

Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle and Surf
by
Jerry & Janine Sprout

Diamond Valley Company, 2000, 222 pp.
ISBN: 0-9670072-1-6

Genre: Non-Fiction
Subgenre: Outdoor Activities / Guide
Reviewed: 4/6/2001

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Excerpt

Kaua'i

Along Kaua'i's 110-mile coast, in between the rivers and streams, are grassy, open bluffs fringed by sand and coral reef beaches. The notable exception to this landscape is Napali--The Cliffs--a 25-mile quadrant of the northwest coastline. Here ridges end in wave-battered cliffs, inaccessible by car and only partially accessible by foot. Even in Napali, however, there are little beaches with valleys that supported Hawaiian communities for centuries

Kaua'i has the longest sand beach in the islands, as well as the longest coral reef. Many of its dozens of beaches and coves are accessible only by hikes. Generally speaking, in the winter, north side beaches near Hanalei are pounded by the trade wind's swells and the south beaches of Poipu are relatively calm. In the summer, the opposite is true, as southerly Kona winds bring bigger surf to the south and the north shore's coves become aquamarine pools. Beaches on the west and east are variable in terms of water conditions--but beach conditions everywhere can vary greatly from day to day.

Kaua'i's physical features--while perhaps beyond the scope of any engineer's or animator's imagination--are perfectly designed for recreational exploration. Roads go inland at numerous places and ancient trails rim the coast and follow ridges to dizzying heights, inviting hikers and mountain bikers. Surfing beaches are too numerous to be crowded, although on any given day the local boarders may flock to the hottest spot. Coral reefs and coves create saltwater pools--home to some 650 species of fish--made for snorkeling and swimming. River lagoons and protected bays invite kayaks and outrigger canoes. These activities combined are the only way to fully appreciate the complex island.

Synopsis

Kauai Trailblazer is a book on where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle and Surf in and around Kaua'i, Hawaii. The book is divided up into five sections: Napali, Kong, Wailua, Poipu and Waimea. Each section has a map with the location of the trailheads. There is also a Best For... section that lists: Hikers, Snorkelers, Mountain Bikers, Paddlers, Surfers, Free Hula Shows, Rainy Day, Local Style Eats and Pacific Rim Gourmet. There are 119 hikes and strolls, 68 beaches, 42 snorkeling pools, 61 mountain bike rides, 27 kayaking waters (13 rivers and streams and 14 bays and lagoons) and 36 surfing spots. There are also 10 maps, 130 photographs, 4 driving tours, resource links and appendices about Hawaii.

Each trailhead lists all of the activities that can be done there. There are short descriptions of what each location is best for, where to park, a general description of the location, and a description of the location for each activity. In the back of the book, there are a lot of useful things like a Brief History of Kaua'i, Driving Tours and Maps, Free Advice and Disclaimer, Kaua'iana, Resource Links and an Index.

Review

Kauai Trailblazer book is full of so many activities, there are bound to be plenty of them that you could find and accomplish be you a hiker, mountain biker, snorkeler or just an outdoor enthusiast. This is a great guide for giving you an idea of where to go and what to do on one of the Hawaiian islands.

The authors kept the size of the book from become humongous by not including maps for the trailheads. But the descriptions of the trail are very thorough and you should not need a map. When you visit one of the islands, time is usually precious. Reading this book before you go to Kaua'i will help you determine the best way to spend your vacation.

Kauai Trailblazer has enough outdoor activities to keep you busy for an entire year. So, pick your fun wisely and have a fun time on Kaua'i.