Moanalua Saddle to Kalihi Saddle (Night Version)

Weather forecasts had predicted windy conditions this weekend to possibly paraphrase the saying “fools rush in where wise men fear to tread.” We all met up relatively on time, except for the “new CB.”

The group crossing one of the seven storied bridges and cobblestone paths that at one time gave passage to the Damon family’s horse drawn carriages. Samuel Mills Damon was bequeathed over 6,000 acres of land (Moanalua Ahupua’a) in 1884 from Ke Ali’i Bernice Bishop, who was the last living member of the House of Kamehameha. The ahupua’a of Moanalua at one time encompassed the valleys of Moanalua and Halawa down to the edge of Pu’uloa (Pearl Harbor). Over time it has shrunk due to the US government’s condemnation of huge tracts of land for military bases, and the selling off of land for commercial and residential development. Moanalua Valley was also the original route for the H3 highway until court battles forced the State to construct in its present home, Halawa Valley.

Is this the way to Stairway to Heaven?

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the hau trees, I will fear no evil, for high winds await me on the mountains.

Haig crossing one of over 28 stream crossings on the trail. Nobody was counting. Mathematically challenged.

Some of the guys clearing the trail. There is no scientific evidence that a certain complex plant made of major compounds makes people stronger, rather it has a reputation for decreasing athletic performance. Hence, the rock did not budge even one inch. Not even a centimeter.

Chico passing his stone. Pretty painful.

Have rock, will fix spike.

Leaving the valley floor as we climbed up the steep and short spur ridge.

Group photo at the windswept summit, left to right: Chris, Robin, Aileen, Haig, myself, Akira, Aida and Chico.

We left the summit to practice our balancing skills on a narrow ridge line with wind gusts pushing us around for good measure.

The group transitioning from bipedal to quadrupedal locomotion. Whatever will get us there.

Woman down! The first rule of falling is don’t fall. The second rule is if you have to fall, go in the direction of the Leeward side. The last rule is do not fall on the Windward side. Luckily, Robin followed the second rule. Haig came up from the rear and safely guided her back to the ridge, where she belonged.

Some of us went up the direct route.

Others chose the longer route and contoured around the rock face.

Contouring and climbing our way up the Windward side. What was that about Rule #3?

Making our way to the most famous obstacle, the Dirt Triangle.

Contouring around the grassy and slippery slope.

Aida pulling herself up on the Leeward side. What was that about Rule #2?

Robin’s turn to go up.

That expression on your face when you know you’ve made it to the top. Priceless.

We don’t need no stinkin’ webbing!

Going up the exposed crumbly climb as we noticed rain showers in the valley. Wind + rain. What could go wrong?

Haig climbing to the top of the last “technical” section of the saddle.

It’s not well known is that Akira was the original Karate Kid until Hollywood decided Ralph Macchio looked more the part. Much like how David Carradine got the lead role in the TV show Kung Fu because Bruce Lee was too “asian.” A little known fact is that the iconic martial artist was not 100% Chinese, he was of Chinese and European ancestry.

We ran into an imported goat from the province of Pangasinan. This particular one was sure footed and fleet of foot.

Aileen climbing up one of the last eroded sections as the rain showers marched their way towards us.

Approaching one of the platforms that was used to suspend six antennas across Halawa Valley during WW2. Each antenna spanned 6,955′ and was suspended 1,968′ above the valley floor. Quite an engineering feat back in the day.

Wondering if the grass is greener on the other side of the stairs.

Hazing ritual.

The rusted stairs soon ended and the rain showers finally made their appearance.

Haig on top of the building that will still be here after the stairs are long gone.

What every girl wants on her birthday. Chocolate? Flowers? Jewelry? Nope. A stick of butter. Happy Birthday Aida! While we took shelter from the cold and driving rain outside, muted mutterings about bailing began to circulate. Optimism still ran high with some in the group.

Dear hikers, can you hear the wind blow?
And did you know
Your stairway lies on the last gasps?

The weather soon cleared and we all agreed to push to the next saddle. We still have enough daylight. Right?

Dropping down the ridge to the defunct radar tower.

Sit not stand.

Akira climbing up for some elevation change.

I am high high!

Passing the transmission tower lines as we made our way up the rutted trail with panoramic Windward views to our back.

Brief break at the 2,760′ grassy peak. Is that the way down to the valley in the back of us?

We left the summit and continued our hike on the ridge as the winds that we thought we left behind us returned with renewed gusts.

Ferlino would climb it! I guess peer pressure only works so far.

Group photo with the obstructed Leeward background at the 2,740′ peak.

The birthday girl about to drop down into the saddle.

Butt scooting our way down the crumbly ridge line.

Robin climbing over the bulging rock.

Bottleneck as everybody was taking their time to traverse …

… around this soft patch of dirt.

Just missing the lasso.

Chris shadowing Aida on her way down.

Maybe should change the name to Grassy Slide.

Stay in your lane. Deja vu.

Haig walking it down.

Aida climbing her way down the constantly changing character of the saddle.

Clear? NOT YET!

Robin navigating her way through the severely eroded section on the Leeward side.

Akira going over the edge.

I had my fill of rocks being rained down in my direction.

Going down on the denuded and eroded stretch. I had wanted to make Witch’s Hat before sundown. I also wanted to play in the NBA. Dashed dreams.

The city lights below us started turning on. Time to get our headlamps ready.

Climbing down the Windward side, my headlamp started to flash which meant it was slowly losing illumination. I could barely see going down but was assisted by the bright light of CB’s lamp down below.

CB guiding the rest of the group down.

Driving rain pelted us as we went down the jumbled slabs of rocks.

High winds and the darkness kept us on all fours most of the time on the ridge.

City lights on the left and trees on the right.

Are those people up there in the mountains?

Scooting our way over the irregular rounded rockface.

We could see the conical shaped rockface. We are close to the end!

It would have been a lot easier for some if they had a broomstick to fly up instead of climbing up.

Going down the backside.

Getting out of the wind and off the ridge and down to the valley floor. What a relief!

A big shout out and hearty appreciation to Agnes and Tessa who waited for us way past their bedtime and brought us drinks and food. Props to the group for helping everybody come out safely in the dark and keeping it together.

Our unforgettable saddle hike covered 7.98 miles through high winds, rain and darkness with a solid group that was there for each other. The constant peppering of our faces with wind blown volcanic dirt left our ears fertile ground and bloodshot eyes.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Chico Cantu, Chris Bautista, Haig Van Roubian, Robin Farr, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Tagged as: bowman summit, dirt triangle, dirty slide, kalihi saddle, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, kulana'ahane summit, moanalua saddle, powerlines trail, rock triangles, stairway to heaven, tabletop, tripler summit, witch's hat