Commando Trail to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

by kenji SAITO on January 15, 2017

Hiking Commando Trail to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

Back in the saddle. Met up with Chris, Ethan, Khym and Scott in Kaneohe.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Thanks to Scott’s friend, Alvin, for dropping us off on the side of the highway.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

Looking for wallabies …

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

… deep in the valley. I think we found some. Rather large ones. Let’s keep our distance.

Commando Trail

Commando Trail

Shout out to HTMC for clearing this shortcut to the Bowman trail.

Commando Trail

Commando Trail

Chris hanging around. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Commando Trail

Commando Trail

We are not alone. We are not pigs.

Commando Trail

Commando Trail

Scott making his way up the short and steep spur ridge.

Commando Trail

Commando Trail

End of the cleared and defined trail. What is everybody looking at?

Commando Trail

Commando Trail

Oh, the view. Kodak moment.

Bowman Trail

Bowman Trail

The “face” of Bowman.

Bowman Trail

Bowman Trail

Looking up at two moons. Which one is brighter? Photo by Scott Bowling.

Bowman Trail

Bowman Trail

Topping out at the “face” of Bowman. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Bowman Trail

Bowman Trail

Scott walking through the dewy bog at the top.

Bowman Summit

Bowman Summit

Group photo at the 2,740′ socked in summit of Pu’u Kahuauli (Bowman), left to right: Scott, Ethan, myself, Khym and Chris. Where are you going? That way? No, this way. Wanna bet?

KSRT

KSRT

No plucking of the flowers. We already got clouds. Don’t need rain as well.

KSRT

KSRT

Time to put on our spikes and gloves for those so inclined. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

KSRT

KSRT

Dropping down into the clouds. Photo by Scott Bowling.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Khym making his way along the fractured ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Scooting over the crumbly rocks. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Psst, it’s this way. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Khym and Scott coming around and down the crumbly hill.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Got webbing? Inside joke. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Scott making his way down the slippery slope.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Clouds, clouds go away. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Please don’t kick any rocks my way. Thank you. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The shaka brothers making their first appearance at the top.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Ethan barreling down the broken dirt wave. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Windward views.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Khym making his way down the first rock triangle.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

How Scott deals with OCD behavior. “I hear you Khym. I’m just ignoring you.”

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Making our way past the overhang. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

What a view! Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

What’s up?

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Khym scooting down the crumbly rocky ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

One hand on the ridge and one hand for the shaka. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Scott coming down the second rock triangle, as the shaka brothers make another appearance.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Valley views.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Leaving behind the second rock triangle.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Looking out to the clear summit of Lanihuli.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The group coming down tabletop rock. We found a cut or discarded rope at the base.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Crossing the mini-saddle. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The group coming down the skinny ridgeline.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The Silence of the Saddles. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Thinking. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The group making their way along a narrow dike section.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Making our way down the crumbly ridgeline. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing up Witch’s Hat. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Contour? Where we’re going, we don’t need contours. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Khym pulling himself up.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Group photo on top of Witch’s Hat.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Coming down the backside of Witch’s Hat. We found another cut or discarded rope at the base.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there. Really. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Goodbye Bowman, until next time.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Last group photo.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Making our way back down to the valley floor.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Somebody left the gate open.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

Chris and Khym seeking shelter from the hot sun.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

Thanks again to Alvin for picking us up on the side of the highway.

All pau

All pau

Our breezy ride back to the Windward side.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our short saddle hike covered a scant 3.64 miles over crumbly ridgelines with a great group. Post hike meal at Dean’s Drive Inn. Food tastes better when it’s free. Sorry about the beer. That’s what you get when you ask a non-drinker.

Note: I have been made aware the some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Leave a Comment

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Scott Bowling January 24, 2017 at 6:08 pm

Kenji, I always enjoy your write-ups. Thanks for taking me on the saddle. I am glad I did it, but don’t call me again!

Reply

kenji SAITO January 24, 2017 at 10:09 pm

Aloha Scott,
Thanks! Okay I have deleted you from my saddle speed dial!
Mahalo

Reply

Khym January 24, 2017 at 6:26 pm

Hahahaha I suppress a lot of things that day. My mind thinks is just a dream and my body remembers nightmares lol. I could tell from my sleep for a couple days hahahaha. It definitely looks a lot different when you look back at it play by play. Now my body is shaking cause it remember what is gonna happen next … I definitely didn’t like the chimney. Hahaha…

Reply

kenji SAITO January 24, 2017 at 10:11 pm

Aloha Khym,
You did great that day! Mind over matter. Just another walk on the mountains for you! Thanks for joining us.
Mahalo

Reply

Kathleen Pablo February 1, 2017 at 9:54 pm

I love reading your blogs Kenji. Gives me inspiration to go out more and explore. Although I have no intentions on doing these kind of hikes, I still enjoy reading and seeing ‘em. I feel like your blogs make me feel what you guys experienced lol. Now take me to the paved saddle, will yah???

Reply

kenji SAITO February 2, 2017 at 12:42 am

Aloha Kathleen,
Thanks. Glad you are out there exploring and having fun. Sure, anytime you want to go, let me know. But first, you have to do the hardest hike on the island, if you know what I mean. :)
Mahalo

Reply

Kathleen Pablo February 2, 2017 at 7:25 am

Thanks Kenji. Cool, I’ve already done that…I’ll show you my album “Makapuu Lighthouse” hahaha. Anyway, thanks for being an inspiration. I’ll keep on exploring (only baby hikes ????????) and reading your blogs. Take care! Mahalo.

Reply

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