Kahuauli (Bowman) to Kalihi Saddle

Back in the saddle again. A heavy soaking the day before had actually aborted our saddle hike. However, after going all over the board with alternate hikes to do, we ended up doing the saddle anyway. The skies were clear, so despite the weather sometimes changing on a dime up in the mountains, we decided to take our chances. Photo by David Johnson.

We carpooled to the end of Kalihi Street to minimize our footprint, as ever since Naohia Falls has been shut down, the neighbors have been quick on the telephone draw. After quickly making our way up the side road, we crossed over the Burmeister Overpass and headed up to the spur ridge.

The Bowman shortcut shaved three miles off the traditional trail, but we paid for it with buckets of sweat. Okay, maybe not buckets, but at least little teacups. The ridge was short and steep and the humidity level was high. No signs of surveyors today.

Enjoying the easy part of the hike while it lasted, which was about three miles.

I always wondered who leaves these plastic soldiers behind, as they are scattered on trails throughout the island.

Thessa crossing over an eroded trail section, with the prominent knob that resembles a face (see the “eyes” and “nose”?), looking down at us.

The cloud deck started to get lower and darker over the saddle. Pretty please, don’t rain on our parade.

Climb this rock and get the right to name it, much like Griego Wall and Dorito Tower. Just kidding. It already has a name. That big piece of rock sticking out of the hillside.

Switchbacks made it easier to climb up the knob. No straight shot to the top.

Clouds started to roll through the saddle, which still left clear views of town. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

Jose and Thessa crossing a grassy meadow near the summit.

The top was home to a bog, similar to ones found at Ka’ala and other high spots on the mountains.

Cloudy summit at 2,740 feet. At least we could hear the cars on the highway down below us.

After taking a short break at the summit, we made our way over this small peak that leads to the saddle.

Group photo back to front: Jose, Thessa and myself.

Hiking into the clouds.

Jose contouring around the Windward side of the ridge.

As we dropped below the cloud deck, the saddle popped into view.

A taste of what was in store for us.

Spikes definitely helped to grip the crumbly and eroded ground as we made our way down the saddle.

Now the fun begins. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Hmmm, what is this tree for?

Oh, to help us climb down the side of this crumbly ridge. The tree was shaking the whole time Jose was climbing down and it looks like it could pull out one day. Maybe we should bring it some Miracle-Gro. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Thessa making her way down. We had to space ourselves apart, especially when down climbing the heavily eroded sections, as rocks and dirt would get dislodged. None of us were wearing hard hats.

The winds were noticeably absent. That was a good thing. Usually I welcome the brisk trade winds to help cool off. Not today.

The views, when the clouds cooperated, were just to die for. Sorry, poor choice of words.

Jose and Thessa went down the left side that had the vegetation. I decided to see if my spikes would hold me coming down the right, rocky side. They held.

The HECO building at the base of the saddle seemed so close from so far up. The summit of Lanihuli seemed so far away, capped in clouds.

Thessa climbing down a pile of rocks. Most of the rocks on the saddle looked fractured and split, ready to come off at the wrong time.

Never a dull day on the saddle.

The angle makes this part of the ridge look ready to fall off one day.

Thessa climbing down from the “dirt triangle.” Fellow hiker, David Concepcion, named the obstacle when he last did the saddle.

Looks wide from this angle.

And skinny from this angle. All about perspective.

Huge drops on the Windward side. Actually both sides.

Yes. Why else would we be hiking on a severely eroded ridge? Photo by Jose Luis Delaki

Many thanks to the hikers that have left ropes on this trail and shared advice on this hike. The ropes and/or anchors that are here today, may be gone tomorrow. Trail conditions change frequently, especially on this saddle. Hikers that have done it, always seem to report that the saddle becomes more eroded with each visit.

Thessa looking for a place to land her feet. Maybe we should have come down the right side. Oh well, we all need a little challenge every now and then.

Seats single file only.

No margin for error.

Most parts of the ridge had to either be “saddled”, crawled, scooted or skirted on the side with precious little purchase beneath our feet.

Looking back at the saddle.

The answer is no. The rock wobbled when we pushed it.

We didn’t rely on the webbing going down as we didn’t want that rock landing on our heads. Talk about a bad hair day.

Jose crossing a mini-saddle on the saddle. Well, that’s what it looked like to me.

Thessa coming down the saddle, with the most difficult sections behind us.

Jose approaching the last obstacle, dubbed “Witch’s Hat” by hiker, Pete Clines.

Thessa coming over one of the last “humps.”

The base of the “hat” was somewhat steep and then leveled off to a “walkable” grade.

Thessa coming down the backside of the “hat.” Jose donated his webbing to the saddle. Gracias.

Jose contouring around the Windward side.

Not today.

Just as we made it down to the power lines, the clouds released her rain. Perfect timing.

Until we meet again. She was a lovely ride.

Shout out to Chris and Brian for picking us up on the side of Likelike Highway. What’s for dinner? Prime Rib! Photo by Chris Hiona.

The 4 mile hike now ranks as my hardest hike to date. Many thanks to Jose and Thessa, who have done the saddle numerous times, for keeping me company on this trail. Would I do it again? Yup, but going up, as going down was a crazy albeit fun experience.

Tagged as: bowman, bowman shortcut, bowman trail, dirt triangle, kahuauli, kalihi saddle, lanihuli, likelike highway, ridge hike, wilson tunnels, witch's hat