The Waimea Canyon is a deep green gash through the heart of the island of Kauai. The Waimea River finds its source in the drenched rocks of Wai'ale'ale, the wettest spot on earth, and rambles along the bottom of the rusty, kilometer-deep canyon before meeting the Pacific on the island's parched south side.

I rode my bicycle from Kekaha (on the south shore of Kaua'i) to Kokee State Park at the top of the canyon. The 20-mile, 4000-foot climb took me over six hours.