TRIP REPORT PHOTOS
To get this view of the Temehani Plateau, we took a kayak from our lodging place out into the lagoon until we could see up into the mountains. Temehani Ute is on the right, while Temehani Rahi is off to the left (mostly out of view):
Our guide parked here along the main coastal road and we headed inland on a side road:
This is called a Travelers Palm, but it is not related to the palm family. The leaves spread out high like a fan to collect rainwater and direct it into the base:
Early panoramic showing the small bay beneath the lower trail (click to enlarge):
Notice how heavy the brush is on both sides of the early trail:
The trail is actually a rough 4WD road used to access a few nearby houses and a horse ranch higher up:
A fence that is passed through which has been installed to contain the horses:
We passed by some very large Jamaican vervain bushes:
Jamaican vervain plants have small purple flowers which grow out of a long plant spike:
At the outskirts of the pine forest, Raiatea Fruit-dove birds were perched high in the branches above us:
Raiatea Fruit-doves have a grey neck, green wings, and a yellow body:
Now entering the pine forest portion of the hike, notice how tall the trees are right from the start:
The trail cuts directly through the pine forest, all the while continuously gaining elevation:
The horses we passed by were not skittish at all. They were just a little curious about our presence:
Rose myrtle plants along the right side. Rose myrtle has been reported as a serious problem on Raiatea, being an invasive species that spreads fast due to birds and mammals eating the small berry fruits:
Rose myrtle flowers are rose pink in color and look quite pretty along the trail:
A close-up of a Rose myrtle flower with five petals:
Looking up in awe at all of the tall pine trees surrounding us:
These thin trees were impressive because a large circle of leaves grew out of the end of each branch:
The trees were quite a bit taller than we were:
However, the pine trees towered way overhead and really made us feel small:
This tree had one of the thicker trunks that we passed by, as seen in the next two pictures:
We started early in the morning, but it still got hot outside fairly quickly. So we welcomed all of the shade on the lower section of trail:
Check out the odd way that the pine needles are growing on the branches, no doubt due to the South Pacific climate:
Miconia plants are large and stunning but they are also invasive. French Miconia have giant leaves that are red and green in color:
Two more horses that were barely paying attention to us as we passed by:
After resting for a moment at a small flat area, we went through this fence opening and briefly descended:
We were careful not to knock down this spider web (orb web) which stretched across the trail:
The pine trees were smaller but thicker along this stretch of trail:
Note the heavy concentration of pine needles across the trail:
Tahitian screwpine trees providing an abundance of shade:
Notice the great variety of plants and trees growing along the trail. These ones have abundant branches growing in all directions:
Check out the unusual angles that this very large tree is growing at as it crosses the trail:
Heavy brush continued to enclose the trail up until this point:
This was our first view out of the brush in quite some time. This was looking across at the next ridgeline to the north:
A really pretty mixture of pine trees and tropical plants and trees:
These looked like Philippine Ground Orchids growing along the trail:
The lower portion of the trail ends and the middle portion begins as a wide-open area is entered:
Soon, we crossed a gorgeous stream flowing with cool and refreshing water:
Caution was in order as we crossed the stream so as to not slip on the mossy surface:
This was the perfect spot to completely cool off before continuing through the long sunny portion of the trail:
A little farther on the trail above the stream and natural pool, we had our first views looking out toward the ocean:
Panoramic view of northwest Raiatea and the lagoon (click to enlarge):
From this spot, Bora Bora could be seen about 25 air miles away:
Zooming in on Bora Bora, Mount Otemanu (right) and Mount Pahia (left) are clearly visible:
Having the scenery wide open and visible was quite a change from the previous heavy brush and trees with hardly any views:
An incredible full view of Tahaa could now be seen. Apu Bay is in the center with Mount Ohiri the high point at the left center:
Zooming in on the minor peak northeast of Mount Ohiri. This peak is of interest because the Tahaa Traverse trail wraps around it during that hike somewhere along the ridge at the far right:
A few pine trees are braving the windy slopes of the lower plateau:
Looking out at the shared lagoon and Tiva Pass, which was now visible. Tiva Pass is the break in the coral reef just past the sharp curve:
The trail seemed to now be made of soft dirt and clay which trapped water well. That meant there were some muddy spots over the next one mile or so:
Looking ahead, we could see that we were starting to get closer to the top of the mountain:
We could now see the eastern side of Tahaa:
Panoramic showing the mountain highlands and full view of Tahaa (click to enlarge):
It was interesting to be able to see so much of northern Raiatea's highlands:
Tahaa's high mountain summits stand out on this central view, with Mount Ohiri (1,936 feet) on the left and Mount Fareura (1,503 feet) on the right:
The heavy concentration of white near the bottom of this picture is mostly from sailboats at the Apooiti Marina:
Notice how the trail all through this middle section of the hike had so many unobstructed views:
There was also less shade, so we had to take advantage of shady spots when we could find them, such as under these Tahitian screwpines:
You can see the trail climbing steadily uphill on the right side:
If this trail was not used regularly or maintained, it would be quickly grown over and disappear:
Panoramic of northern Raiatea covered by lush greenery (click to enlarge):
The trail continued to climb to various bumps along the ridgeline:
Along Tahaa's eastern reef, Toahotu Pass is visible. A pass is an open channel that connects the lagoon with the ocean:
Around this area, we crossed the boundary and were now officially on the Temehani Rahi Plateau:
Looking ahead, this would be the final stretch of elevation gain during the hike up:
This zoomed view shows the trail as it crosses the hike high point of 2,250 feet:
An informational sign gives some information and warnings about the area. Unfortunately, it was in French and Tahitian only so I was unable to read it:
This was looking back to the west. Notice that we could see almost all the way down to the road where we started about 3 hours earlier:
As we hiked along the plateau, notice that some of the mountains were now draining in the opposite direction toward the east:
A mountain stream was once again visible off to the right. We would return to this spot later to go swimming:
The plateau is not a completely flat area as you might expect, but rather an area of smaller rolling hills:
Tahitian screwpines are always among the most photogenic trees:
Panoramic from near the top showing the full northern view (click to enlarge):
A minor stream is crossed just prior to reaching the high point:
The best view of Tahaa is from the high point of the hike at 2,250 feet in elevation. This was now the upper section of trail:
Panoramic to the east from a large rock slab area where we rested (click to enlarge):
Panoramic showing the deep valley to the east which leads down to the lagoon (click to enlarge):
Zooming in on the hills and ridges below. Caution is in order near this spot as there are thousand foot vertical cliffs all around:
On the left side, the tip of Mount Tapioi (965 feet) can be seen if you know where to look. Mount Tapioi is one of the other established hikes on Raiatea, and it starts in Uturoa:
A perfect view of Teavapiti Pass and the long sections of coral reef:
Zooming in on Motu Taoru, which is located in the middle of the pass channel:
This was our very first view to the southeast with Faaroa Bay now visible:
Zooming in on Motu Tipaemaua (left), Iriru Pass (center), and Motu Iriru (right). The channel through the pass leads directly into Faaroa Bay:
The trail turns and continues south along the mountain:
We came across yet another mountain stream, with this one emerging from the brush and flowing down a rock slab:
Notice how the stream is flowing down deep grooves in the rock slab:
The rock slab extends quite a ways down the mountain before giving way to more brush:
View showing the rock slab, mountain stream, and eastern Raiatea far below:
This is the lava tube that abruptly appears and drops over 100 vertical feet straight down before disappearing into the mountain:
The lava tube actually captures a stream heading down the mountain and sends the water through the middle of the mountain into the lagoon far below:
It's very difficult to see into the lava tube because the edges are unstable and it's so dark inside:
The eastern coastline of Raiatea has some very pretty foothills and ridges:
The end of the trail features sweeping views of southern Raiatea's mountains:
These jagged peaks really stand out and are only about 3 1/2 air miles away:
On the right side, you can see Mount Tefatua, the highest point on Raiatea (and all the Leeward Islands) at 3,337 feet. This is the only time during the hike when you can see Mount Tefatua:
Taking a closer look at the incredible ridgeline below Mount Tefatua. It definitely looks impossible to cross this ridgeline on foot:
This minor peak along the summit ridgeline of Mount Tefatua is also quite impressive:
In the far south, Mount Oropiro (2,703 feet) can also be seen (right side peak):
Zooming in on the abundant foothills located in the southeast:
Incredible panoramic of the highlands of southern Raiatea (click to enlarge):
After enjoying the views, we backtracked on the trail until we crossed the mountain stream referenced earlier:
After that, we climbed up a hillside and came upon the holy grail of South Pacific wildflowers - the Tiare Apetahi:
Notice how large this particular plant is. There were several flowers in bloom:
Both the leaves (with the sharp teeth-like edges) and the flowers (shaped like the extended palm of a hand) are very unique:
The Tiare Apetahi plant rarely grows more than 6 1/2 feet tall and has an elevation range of 1,800 feet to 2,625 feet:
Three additional close-up photos of the Tiare Apetahi:
Looking across at neighboring Temehani Ute plateau, which is off-limits to the general public:
The Vaihuaru River flows down the mountain and divides the Temehani Rahi and Temehani Ute plateaus:
Zooming in on an incredible waterfall which pours over:
Returning to the mountain stream, it was time to cool off once again:
Two pictures of swimming and being refreshed by the stream water and cascade:
Just below the natural swimming pool, freshwater eels were swimming around the stream:
An eel swimming around in search of food:
Notice the very thin tail portion of the eel:
Two eels are visible in this picture:
Final panoramic showing northern Raiatea and southern Tahaa (click to enlarge):
Three bonus pictures which were taken on a different day while driving around Raiatea. This view shows Mount Tefatua (the island's highest point) from the opposite side of what is seen during the hike:
The summit of Mount Tefatua (3,337 feet) is on the left:
A family picture below Mount Tefatua to wrap up our visit to Raiatea:
