Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines) to Tripler Summit

by kenji SAITO on January 31, 2021

Hiking Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines) to Tripler Summit

Neither clouds nor rain nor wind nor gloom of day will stay these hikers from their slow and steady completion of their appointed saddle. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Thanks to CJ’s brother for dropping Aida, Chris, CJ, Justin, Lilyn, Tessa and myself off at the highway. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Powerlines

Powerlines

Rain showers swept the ridge line as we made our way up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Camp Centipede

Camp Centipede

Playing the waiting game. It should pass. Right? Group photo by CJ Mendiola, left to right: myself, Tessa, Lilyn, Chris, CJ, Aida and Justin.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Watching our footing as the rain finally left us. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Social distancing as we approached the witching hour. Comment credit Lilyn Avendano. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Climbing up the backside of the conical shaped rock. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Going down the front side. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Watching everybody else make their way down.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Scrambling up the narrow ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Split Rock

Split Rock

Justin sitting on his perch with a commanding birds eye view of the ridge line. Just don’t stand up. Like somebody.

Split Rock

Split Rock

Everybody getting their photo on the scenic spot while the rock lasts. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Tabletop Rock

Tabletop Rock

Left or right? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Take my picture. Please! Photo by Justin Suga.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Aida climbing her way around the eroded section. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Lilyn skipping on the saddle without a care in the world.

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Justin scrambling up the Windward side of the rock face. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Smile for the camera. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing up towards the next obstacle. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Tessa bringing up the rear. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Hot Wheels Track

Hot Wheels Track

The group hanging out as they discussed their deep thoughts and thought provoking matters at hand.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Watch out for falling rocks. Not to mention the wet ropes and wet rocks. Photo by Justin Suga.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Chris climbing his way up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Is it really that vertical or is it just the camera angle? Enquiring minds want to know. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Lilyn making her way up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Seeking shelter as showers of dirt and rocks were kicked loose by the ones going up. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Weep crocodile tears for the wave that is gone, for it shall never return to its native land. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Looking ahead as some of the group had dropped off the ridge line to contour on the grassy Leeward side.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Somebody apparently wanted to climb instead of contour but was talked out of it.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

Justin pulling himself up the shifting slope. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

Lilyn coming up after her minor tumble back down while trying to recover CJ’s spike. Photo by CJ Mendiola.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

You put your right foot there. You take your right foot out. You put your right foot there. And you pull yourself up. You do the hokey pokey. And you fall back down. That’s what it’s all about.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

I updated my motivational playbook with a simulated golden shower to motivate somebody up a steep and slippery slope. Tony Robbins I am not. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

Chris had his own form of motivation. It was more verbal than physical. Earplugs optional.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

The elevator service was working overtime today. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Shaken but not stirred. Lilyn force fed Aida at finger point and kept her mind on the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

KSRT

CJ scrambling up the ridge line and out of the saddle.

Bowman Summit

Bowman Summit

Clear views to be had at the summit by all. Sushi and pho what was for lunch. Chris took his leave of us as he had to go home and cook for his sister’s birthday.

KSRT

KSRT

The group traversing towards the last summit of the day.

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

Girls just want to have fun. Boys had to be talked into it.

Tripler Ridge

Tripler Ridge

Going down the long ridge as we saw Chris passing others on his way down the neighboring Moanalua Middle Ridge. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Tripler Ridge

Tripler Ridge

The rest of us coming down the trail that HECO marked. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

End of the Road

End of the Road

Marker 12 or bust? We had to recall some of our group to keep the ridge abbreviated. Photo by Justin Suga.

End of the Road Trail

End of the Road Trail

Descending down the mossy and strawberry guava tree lined trail. Photo by Justin Suga.

End of the Road Trail

End of the Road Trail

Some of us had so much mud on our shoes, that worms were right at home.

End of the Road Trail

End of the Road Trail

Which tree? The big tree? Which tree?

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Following the pink ribbon that lead us through the overgrowth on the valley floor. Photo by Justin Suga.

Kulana'ahane Junction

Kulana’ahane Junction

We left the overgrown trail for … Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Kamananui Valley Trail

… muddy trails. I don’t know which one is worse. Photo by Aida Gordon.

All pau

All pau

Exiting the trail at the Moanalua Valley Park where CJ’s son and daughter picked us up. Photo by Justin Suga.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our protracted saddle hike covered a little over seven miles with new and old friends. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where we enjoyed the outdoor parking lot dining atmosphere.

Note: I have been made aware that 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

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

Lilyn February 12, 2021 at 1:10 pm

Very accurate synopsis! Funny satirical comments, lol!

Reply

kenji SAITO February 16, 2021 at 1:38 pm

Aloha Lilyn,
Thanks. All that was missing was you coming down to record the elevator assistance in progress.
Mahalo

Reply

Aida Gordon February 12, 2021 at 1:43 pm

Thanks for giving me one of my 9 lives back without losing any of yours! What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? I’m not done with this saddle yet lol. Seriously, mahalo nui loa for keeping us all safe…you never lost your cool, that is so admirable!

Reply

kenji SAITO February 16, 2021 at 1:39 pm

Aloha Aida,
Thanks. Glad everybody made it out safe and sound. Have to increase my fee from a nickel to a quarter now.
Mahalo

Reply

Cmj February 12, 2021 at 2:56 pm

This adventure was awesome’ we had so much fun’ thanks for allowing me your campany ..
????????????

Reply

kenji SAITO February 16, 2021 at 1:39 pm

Aloha CJ,
Thanks for coming and for arranging our drop off and pick ups!
Mahalo

Reply

Wahinee01 February 12, 2021 at 4:38 pm

Hahaha @ the hokey pokey song. Kenji’s version… Always fun hiking w/ you peeps. Never a dull moment…

Reply

kenji SAITO February 16, 2021 at 1:39 pm

Aloha Tessa,
Thanks. Yup, always fun times. Until the next one.
Mahalo

Reply

Justin Suga February 13, 2021 at 2:27 pm

First and foremost, it was such an honor to hike with Kenji and the crew. I read alot of your blogs and the epic adventures. I was thrilled to join him on a hike to the Kalihi Saddle. Hike was very challenging! However, I always love these types of hikes and living life to the fullest.

Thank you for letting me tag along. It was a pleasure meeting you all. Hope to hike with you all soon.

Stay safe and God bless!

Reply

kenji SAITO February 16, 2021 at 1:40 pm

Aloha Justin,
Thanks for coming and great job on your first saddle!
Mahalo

Reply

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