Carpool (Lower W. Wailua Iki Stream)

Very fun canyon, with a car sunken in one of the pools that aptly justifies the name. You must be prepared to ascend up ropes in order to exit the canyon unless you continue all the way to the ocean, which involves significantly higher flow and likely new bolts every season on the final 2 rappels.

If taking the early exit, go and inspect the status of the static ropes. Do not count on finding any static ropes, be prepared to set up your own ropes (200ft to 300ft) so you can later ascend out of the canyon. The top of the fixed line for the exit can be found on a stout tree at 20.82843, -156.13426. If doing the full canyon, park an exit vehicle at a pull out on the highway at 20.831,-156.1346.

The section above the highway includes one rappel into a large pool followed by several small jumps up to 20 feet and a gentle stream float in the right conditions. The section below the highway includes 10 more rappels, including the one at the bridge. Several can be jumped mid-way down from ledges. The early exit is on canyon left shortly after 4 rappels, inc. the one at the bridge. This is followed by a thirty minute creek walk before the magic begins. 3 rappels into and out of 2 deep caves. The final sequence is a 140’ rappel, swim across to a ledge on left. On the penultimate 60’ rappel use a catastrophe knot to not get swept over when climbing out to the final anchor. Final rappel is the big one, 290’.

If taking the early exit, make sure you set static ropes at the exit point at the beginning of the trip so you will be able to ascend out. The fixed rope for the exit ascent can be found at 20.82816, -156.13376. There is a conspicuous, large, blank white sign on a tree on canyon left marking the start of the ascent. If continuing to the ocean the exit is 150 feet before the mouth on left. You can see waves crashing. Cross the bog and find remnants of the Old Kings Trail up to 300’ elevation. Once on the ridge go left without heading down to Wailua Bay. Instead, stay on a faint use trail on the ridge all the way back to the exit vehicle you parked on the highway at a pull out at 20.831,-156.145. Do not exit through the Wailua neighborhood as there are hostile and violent residents. The hike up the ridge line takes approximately 90 minutes and has a 900’ gain.