Pali Puka to Mo’ole Falls

Met up with Glenn, Jose and Ryan in the dark shadows of Pu’u Keahiakahoe. Our planned hike was from Pali Puka to Haiku Stairs. The best laid schemes of weather and hikers often go awry.

Pali Lookout

Shout out to Chris who woke up early and ferried us from Kaneohe to Nuuanu. It’s going to be a beautiful day. Right guys? Group photo left to right: Ryan, Glenn, myself and Jose. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Where’s the puka?

Jose making his way over the Pali Puka.

Have helmet, will climb

Ryan contemplating climbing the towering rock spire.

Contour climb

Jose making his way up the steep and rocky climb to regain the ridge. Ryan started to feel nauseous, so he wisely decided to turn around. It all worked out in the end as Glenn had forgotten his camelbak hose, so he ended up borrowing Ryan’s. Let’s all drink and be merry.

Hikers in the mist

I guess no sunrise show for us.

Waiting

Glenn catching up to us on the ridge.

Scrambling

Jose making his way up the crumbly rock face.

Puu Suicido

The rocks were a little slick from the moisture laden clouds.

Cloudy

We contoured on the Windward side of the shaky boulder and scrambled straight up.

Rollercoaster

Going up another rock face. Up and down. Just another day on the saddle.

Webbing

There were more ropes on the saddle from the last time we were here. Can’t complain. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Morning dew

Hope the spider was having a better day than us. Just sitting and waiting for a fat bug to land on his web.

The W

It could have been X, Y or Z as we were socked in on the saddle.

Say cheese

We contoured on the Leeward side around the first “tooth.” Then it was climbing up and down the remaining “teeth.”

Climbing down

Glenn coming down the last “tooth.” Don’t worry, it doesn’t bite.

Anvil rock

Jose getting ready to climb down the “Lost Puka.” Some have postulated that this area used to have a “puka,” and time eroded into what it is today.

Hang loose

Glenn climbing down and getting ready to swing. You had to have been there. Very eroded.

Climbing up

The trail turned into a mixture of wet rocks and muddy holds. Upper body strength required.

Going up the mountain

Hiking the remaining distance to the summit was a surreal experience filled with mud, overgrowth and zero views.

My precious

Glenn announced at the top that it was his wedding anniversary. He found a wooden ring to give to her. How romantic. In a hiker sort of way.

Puu Lanihuli

Group photo at the socked in 2,700′ summit.

Going down

We decided that the descent down into Kalihi Saddle was probably muddy and not safe. Time to bail out. Besides, Glenn had to take his wife out to dinner.

Clear

As we dropped below the cloud deck, conditions and views improved dramatically. Never fails.

Mo’ole junction

The fastest way down from Lanihuli.

Lanihuli summit

Looking back at the now cloud clear summit. The cruel irony.

Mo’ole Valley

Descending down into Nuuanu.

Mo’ole stream

The trail soon dropped us into Mo’ole stream and her eight waterfalls.

Climbing down

Jose making his way down the steep bank.

Tree climbing

Glenn using the tree branches and roots to make his way down.

Thirsty?

Got water. Photo by Jose Luis Delaki.

Rope climb

Glenn jumped into to the pool to cool off and after some encouragement, climbed up the falls.

Down stream

Sometimes it was easier just to follow the stream down than hiking on the stream banks.

Waterfall

Which one was this? I lost count going down.

Mountain apples

We spent a good chunk of time shaking trees and slinging rocks to knock down the tasty trail snacks.

Mo’ole #2

Group photo at the biggest waterfall.

Tunnel hike

Sloshing and slogging through the tunnel. Half dry and half wet.

All pau

The dejected crew at the gate. The most dangerous part of the hike was crossing the Pali Highway to buy a $5 bag of lychee.

GPS Tracks

Our saddle and waterfall hike covered 4.55 miles through clouds, running water and mountain apples. Ryan was nice enough to pick our ripe bodies up and we had our post hike meal at Brick Oven Pizza.

Tagged as: koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, moole falls, moole valley, nuuanu saddle, pali lookout, pali puka, waterfalls