USA Kalalau Valley

This is a photo of the beautiful Kalalau Valley. It was taken near the beginning of the Pihea Trail. This is close to the Pu'u O Kila Lookout at the end of Highway 550 in easter Kauai, Hawaii.

This is a pretty simple point and shoot photo. The details of Eric Helligrath's photo are below:
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lens: Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 11.5mm on a Nikon crop sensor. So about 17mm full frame.

Nothing special about this photo - it was taken later in the afternoon and you can see the shadow of the ridge. I would consider to try to catch a sunrise next time. But it certainly is a long drive to make to the end of Highway 550 so one will have to wake up super early.

Make sure to bring any polarizing / neutral density filters / tripod you may need. Due to the elevation, rain is very common (you're basically in the clouds). You can see the cloud rolling in as this photo was being taken. Make sure to have a camera bag or something you can stash your gear in to prevent water damage.

Head to Waimea in southeastern Kauai. Then take Highway 550 for approximately 19 miles north until it terminates at a parking lot. This drive is slow and will take about 40mins without stopping.

Once you have reached the parking lot you'll be at the Pu'u O Kila Lookout and Pihea Trail. Take the Pihea trail until you find a good spot to snap a photo - there are many great locations along this route!

Be careful near the edge. If you slip and fall you may tumble to your death into the valley. So be careful and use common sense. Also, this trail, for lack of a better term, is like a compacted clay / mud and becomes EXTREMELY slippery when it is wet (i.e. the majority of the time).