View from the parking area looking down at Fagasa Bay:
Zooming in for a closer look at Fagasa village (foreground) and Fagatele village (background):
This interpretive sign is helpful because it shows how the trail follows near the top of the ridgeline to the summit:
The next two pictures show Pinklady wildflowers which were blooming at the trailhead:
Pinklady (Dissotis rotundifolia) wildflowers can be very numerous and colorful:
Tahitian screwpines are always among my favorite trees in the South Pacific:
This is a good view of the early trail, showing how a path cuts through extensive greenery. The actual ridge top is higher up on the right side above the wall of plants:
This is a Crepe Ginger plant. A flower will bloom out of the top of the red bract later:
The larger and more colorful plants and ferns really stand out, such as seen in the next two pictures:
The trail passes through areas without much cover from the sun:
Thick hanging vines extending down to the ground:
This screwpine fruit has started to ripen. Notice how the color has begun to turn orange and red:
One of the larger trees found along the trail:
The next two pictures show what is commonly known as Giant taro or Upright Elephant Ear bulbs:
The roots of the Tahitian chestnut tree always have such interesting and unique designs:
Check out how this tree has grown out at a horizontal angle across the top of the trail:
Jamaican vervain (also known as Cayenne snakeweed or Blue rat's tail) wildflowers which are small purple flowers on a plant spike:
This looks like a Tahitian screwpine fighting for space in the thick canopy:
The brush dropped off on the left side and there were finally some views:
Looking out at the gorgeous blue water of the South Pacific ocean:
Land is faintly visible on the left side, but something else caught my attention in the water closer to shore:
These rocks just off the coast are rising up above the water:
There was a view of Massacre Bay from this spot. Massacre Bay is the small circular bay visible at the left center. The tip of that peninsula is Siliaga Point. The tip of the peninsula behind it is Mataututele Point. Square Head is faintly visible behind that on the right:
Three pictures of bamboo culms growing tall along the trail:
There soon were additional views looking out at the ocean:
Looking across to the aptly named Massacre Bay once again. A misunderstanding between some French sailors and Samoan natives resulted in much bloodshed here in 1787:
The peak at the background right is Olotele Mountain (1,617 feet) and the three peaks along the left side are part of the Tuasivitasi Ridge:
A tree with vines growing down from all the branches:
Banana trees and coconut trees growing side by side:
Three pictures showing Red (and pink) ginger plants. In the neighboring country of Samoa, this is considered to be the national flower (called Teuila):
The official trail map states that about halfway up the trail, an old banana and coconut plantation is passed. More than likely I was now passing through that area, as seen in the next two pictures:
More heavy plant growth limiting the views out toward the ocean:
This unique plant with circular flower balls is called Sensitive plant. Leaves of the Sensitive plant respond to touch and begin to fold up:
The canopy above was covered with extensive leaves large and small:
The banana trees of the old plantation were growing to an immense height:
Same goes for the coconut trees. They were growing quite tall through here:
A close-up of some of the coconuts. Falling coconuts are a genuine hazard on all South Pacific trails. Caution is always in order when walking beneath these trees:
A Samoan starling sitting on a branch above the trail:
This colorful bird is a Polynesian wattled honeyeater. The sounds of birds could be heard throughout the hike. They were just hard to photograph:
There were muddier portions of trail, particularly on the steep sections and spots where 4WD wheels have eroded the greenery:
Two more pictures of Red (and pink) ginger, which grew extensively along the trail:
As the trail neared the summit, it ascended to the top of the ridge and there was less brush on the sides:
Looking to the north, there was a view of distant Pola Island and Matalia Point (the far tip):
Two pictures of a fruit bat (or Samoan Flying Fox) which was hanging upside down in a tree:
One of my favorite activities at the summit was to look out and watch all of the fruit bats circling around above the trees:
Approaching the summit after hiking for 3 1/2 miles through the rainforest:
At the base of the summit is this metal stairway which must be climbed:
Some type of old mechanism for lifting passengers from the summit base up to the top:
Beautiful yellow Golden trumpet flowers were in bloom at the summit:
Notice that the Golden trumpets were wet from recent raindrops:
Ruins of the cable car tramway station which used to bring passengers up from Pago Pago some 1,600 feet below:
The communications towers at the top are still in use and maintained:
Looking back down the metal stairway at the trail and top of the ridge:
At the summit, there were several plants with bright red leaves:
Our views from the summit start by looking to the west. Notice that you can see the entire length of the ridge which is followed during the hike. The hike began just to the left of Fatifati Mountain, which is the high point on the ridgeline in the distance:
Pago Pago extends inland with an area known as Vaipito Valley: You can see how the valley heads up toward the hills and Fagasa Pass:
Now looking to the south, the village at the bottom of the mountains is called Fagatogo:
Several prominent peaks are visible. In the foreground on the right, you can see Siona Mountain. The ridge behind it (middle ridge) leads up to Palapalaloa Mountain:
Zooming in on the background ridge, which contains Matafao Peak (obscured by clouds), the highest point on Tutuila:
The Main Dock of Pago Pago Harbor can be seen along the water's edge:
The water is so clear that coral can be seen beneath the surface from this high vantage point. Amazingly, Flowerpot Rock is also barely visible. It is located at the back right, just behind the tip of the small peninsula:
Zooming in on Sadie's by the Sea, which is where we stayed for our lodging in Pago Pago:
Notice how the water of Pago Pago Harbor curves out toward the ocean. Breakers Point is at the tip of the peninsula stretching out into the harbor:
But Pioa Mountain (Rainmaker Mountain) dominates the landscape to the east:
The face of Rainmaker Mountain is truly spectacular as seen from this spot:
Looking down at waves breaking over the coral reef of Pago Pago Harbor:
Panoramic view from the summit of Mount Alava:
Two pictures of Red Hibiscus flowers found on the summit:
A pathway leads past the communications towers to the actual high point:
This Samoan Fale (or covered shelter) is at the very top. It is a great spot to rest up or take shelter from a sudden rainstorm:
Looking down to the northwest. On a perfectly clear day, it might be possible to see over 50 miles away to (Western) Samoa:
Two pictures of a playful skink. Based on the color, I'd say this is most likely a Pacific black skink:
Getting pictures of fruit bats wrapped up on the way back down, as seen in the next two pictures:
The clouds across the way finally cleared and I could now see the top of Matafao Peak:
The hike to Matafao Peak actually starts at the same spot where my hike began. Except it is a lot more challenging and treacherous in areas:
As usual on hikes to South Pacific summits, crabs have found their way up the mountain:
After the hike, I stopped by the shoreline of Pago Pago Harbor to look up at Mount Alava and reflect back on the enjoyable hike:
This panoramic shows Mount Alava and the ridge leading to it high above Pago Pago Harbor:
