52 New: #46 Christmas Hiking Elves put up a Christmas Tree

"New thing" number forty-six brought to you by Santa's Little Hiking Helpers.  Thanks to my friend April for the idea, coordination, implementation, and physically carrying a "pop up" Christmas Tree to a tucked away location on one of our favorite hiking trails.  Because of her love of all things Christmas (and hiking) I got to experience putting up, decorating, cheers-ing, and ringing in the holidays on top of a mountain. Hiking and Christmas dream come true!  My "November thirty days of Hiking" really took an extra special twist when I spent the morning hiking to put up a Christmas Tree.

 

The start to this new Christmas hiking adventure was an amazing sunrise at a new to me location---Lai'e Point.  Bundled in my beanie cap, Christmas leggings, and festive red hoodie, I was ready for the windy sunrise viewing location.  Sunrise at the Lai'e Sea Arch was beautiful, proving once again, there are no bad views on O'ahu.  There are also multiple places on O'ahu to enjoy the sunrise.  The drive to Lai'e from my house in Mililani is on the long side, but the colors and unobstructed view made the early wake up time and long drive worth it.  Once the sun was successfully past the horizon, we hopped back in the car to head to the main event for the morning---a Christmas Tree decorating hike!

The "new" component to this hike last Sunday was all things Christmas Tree.  Our group consisted of six adults (and three kids---none that belonged to me).  We each made multiple offers to help carry the "pop up" Christmas Tree, but once it was in her pack and on her back, April was determined and prepared.  She endured the weight and awkwardness in order to enable all of us worker/decorator Elves the luxury of hiking up unencumbered.  Thank you April---that was a true Christmas gift.  

Once we made it to the part of the trail with the perfect spot for the Christmas Tree, April was able to take a little break while the rest of the adult Elves got to work piecing the three main parts of the tree together.  With no coffee at this point and with a little of the last nights sleep in my eyes, I found this part of the task a little challenging.  Thank goodness for Elf Jonathan and Elf Thea.  Once the three pieces were built, it was time for situating and strapping down (we wouldn't want all of that hard work April did to end up falling down after a day or so).  

Main logistics taken care of...let the adult beverages (thank you Elf Denise), photo taking, and general merriment commence!  I took a ton of photos.  There were a ton of laughs.  There were rolling ornaments.  There were other hikers who stumbled upon us.  There was an extra special feeling of joy decorating this tree and leaving it for other hikers to enjoy (and don't worry, we aren't littering...we will return after the Holidays to take the tree down, pack away the ornaments, and leave the trail the way it was before we Decked it all out.).

For now, and the rest of the month of November, up until December 25th (at least) the most spectacular 'if Charlie Brown were a hiker' Christmas Tree is up, festive, and decorated for all those who can find it along the trail to enjoy.  If you make your way up and happen to notice it, I hope it brings you all the joy and jolly Christmas feels it brought to each of us.  It was a morning and event to remember.  It was the perfect addition to my "52 New Things" that I didn't even know I needed or wanted.  

While this isn't the only Christmas Tree on a hiking trail on O'ahu, it is the only one I had the pleasure of participating in---making it my obvious favorite out of all the others that tend to "pop up" this time of year (Koko Crater Stairs, Pu'u Ohulu Kai/Pink Pillbox, Lanikai Pillbox).  

This year of "new things" has opened my mind to all the possibilities of adventure that surround us daily.  This hike is an old favorite but by getting together with this fun hiking crew and decorating this Christmas Tree on the trail, something old became reinvigorated in me, in my love for this trail,  love of hiking, and especially ALL THINGS Christmas.  Putting a new twist on something tried and true gave me a new appreciation.  I realized that even if I don't DO something new, I can still FEEL something new and that was a lesson worth the weight of a plastic Christmas Tree on my back (I'm guessing...since again, April did the heavy lifting).  

'Tis the season to be jolly and try new things and feel new things.  'Tis the season to hike old and new trails.  'Tis the season for sunrise after sunrise after sunrise.  'Tis the season to wear silly hats and leggings.  'Tis the season to drink a Truly at eight in the morning.  'Tis the season to try the unexpected, do the unexpected, be the unexpected.  'Tis the season to laugh with new friends.  'Tis the season for hiking Crouching Lion and putting up a Christmas Tree!

I don't know how we will top this adventure next year, but I do hope it becomes a new annual tradition, something to look forward to around this time of year.  Maybe we will make the rounds to all of our favorite hikes on O'ahu.  The Christmas Hiking Elves have been unleashed and you have been warned!

If you don't have friends willing to carry the Christmas Tree or bring you a fizzy libation, please let me know, you can join this group of like minded Christmas Hiking Elves---we will happily let you borrow a Santa Hat, Reindeer Ears, Ornament Leggings, or Rudolph Slippers---all important items when Elfing duties call.

The Details:

Who: Myself and five other adults and three kids. Anyone who is willing to carry a Christmas Tree and ornaments on a hike.

What: We hiked early in the morning on one of everyone's favorite trails (it is one of the most beautiful trails on O'ahu) in order to put up a Christmas Tree complete with a gold star on top, red and green ornaments, and faux snow flakes.  

When: November, but I guess a "pop up" Christmas Tree can happen year round.

Where: We erected and decorated the "pop up" Christmas Tree on a trail called Crouching Lion in Ka'a'awa on O'ahu.

Why: Christmas Spirit!

How: The lovely April purchased, organized, and carried the "pop up" Christmas Tree and ornaments up the trail to the designated spot.  She is a Christmas Miracle.

Supplies: "Pop up" Christmas Tree, Christmas ornaments (don't forget hooks), (for the twenty-one and over crew) a spirit you can pack in your trail bag, and a person willing to hike with all the supplies.

Cost: Free to me, but the cost would be whatever money April paid for a "pop up" Christmas Tree and non-glass ornaments.

Parking: Side of the road dirt parking area across from the entrance to the trail.

Would I Do It Again: I sure would!  It was a lot of fun (maybe because I wasn't actually carrying the "pop up" Christmas Tree).  This Christmas adventure was the perfect way to kick off the Holiday Season.

                                        🎵"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

                                        Much pleasure doth thou bring me!"🎵