Pali Puka Lookout to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

by kenji SAITO on June 16, 2024

We had woken up earlier in an attempt to traverse all three saddles of the KST but were stymied by blue lights that were blockading the entrance to the valley formerly owned by the Damon family. The three of us decided to go back home and sleep on it. Met up later in the morning at the Pali Lookout to do an abbreviated version of the planned hike.

Pali Puka Trail

Pali Puka Trail

It was a short huff and puff up the mountain that made sure we were wide awake and not slumbering along the trail.

Pali Puka

Pali Puka

Akira at the rock window that was witness to the brutal battle of 1795 that secured the island of Oahu for King Kamehameha.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Scrambling up the steep rocky flank that had been slightly moistened by the passing morning rain showers.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Hiking on the exposed ridge line. A breath of fresh air. Literally.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Trying to stay grounded while soon to get our head in the clouds.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

We know which way the wind blows on this side.

Incisor Rock

Incisor Rock

Time to pay a visit to the dentist in the mountains.

Incisor Rock

Incisor Rock

Flossing the cracks.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

This webbing was getting long in the tooth.

Nu'uanu Saddle

Nu’uanu Saddle

Narrow as narrow gets.

W

W

Approaching the obstacle some call Donkey Kong or the true Pali Notches.

W

W

Akira coming down the grassy slippery slope.

W

W

Threading our way through the 23rd letter of the English alphabet.

W

W

Our group photo at the top with barely room to spare.

W

W

What does an upside W mean for somebody in particular?

Anvil

Anvil

Going up the fractured path as we watched out steps.

Anvil

Anvil

Moss only grows on trees and not crumbly rocks.

Lanihuli Summit

Lanihuli Summit

Taking a break in the swirling heavens.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Going down the other side of the saddle.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Tessa climbing her way down the ridge line.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Standing room only.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Tessa climbing over the constantly eroding ridge line. Here today. Gone tomorrow.

Dirt Dragon

Dirt Dragon

Straddling what is left of the receding physical manifestation of untamed nature.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Where’s my next foothold?

Lanihuli Wall

Lanihuli Wall

Perched on the side of the mountain.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Akira contouring his way back to the ridge line.

Can Opener

Can Opener

Group photo at the scenic spot with the saddle stretched out behind us.

Rotten Steps

Rotten Steps

Making my way down to the most visually striking of all the obstacles on this side of the saddle.

Rotten Steps

Rotten Steps

Tessa scrambling her way up to the next obstacle.

Pimple

Pimple

The rest of the group contouring their way around the sliver of a rockface.

Doorstop

Doorstop

Going up the front whose character is always evolving over time.

Doorstop

Doorstop

Akira pulling himself up the eroded rockface.

Bunny Ears

Bunny Ears

It only feels fluffy at the top.

Bunny Ears

Bunny Ears

Akira climbing down and over the hump.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Sitting on the edge.

Bunny Ears

Bunny Ears

Tessa standing on the magic mushroom rock. Akira was looking for the magic marijuana plant.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

We could soon see the powerlines for the trail and the lifeguard that was droning our hike.

Shark Fin

Shark Fin

Climbing down the last major obstacle on the saddle.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

A drone view of Tessa and Akira traversing the narrow ridge line. I hope it was worth the $35 ticket.

Camp Centipede

Camp Centipede

Met up with Matt at his launching spot and also our lunch spot as well.

Camp Centipede

Camp Centipede

Chef Suzuki preparing his udon with beef garnished with green onion that was simmered in dashi broth. Nothing like hot food in the mountains.

Powerlines

Powerlines

Group photo at the col before heading down into the valley.

All pau

All pau

One was checking her spikes, the other one was posing for the camera and the last one was watering the plants. Hoped he washed his hands. Thanks to Matt for driving us back to our cars. Post hike meal at Kam Bowl Restaurant where the chicken papaya was sorely lacking in taste. Hard pass. The hike was not all that was planned, but everybody came down safely and had a good time. Not a bad way to spend the day.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Matt Vidaurri, Tessa Bugay, 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.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Wahinee01 July 13, 2024 at 2:12 pm

Fun and scary hike at the same time lol
Thinking of retiring gnarly hikes as I’m getting too lol
As always, much mahalo for awesome adventures

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kenji SAITO July 16, 2024 at 1:44 am

Aloha Tessa,
You’ll retire these hikes when I do or long after I retire them. Haha.
Mahalo

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