Pali to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

I was spoiled by our recent trip to the mainland, as the trails were wide and maintained. Back to reality. Back in the saddles.

Pali Lookout

Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Ferlino and myself off at the blustery lookout. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pali Puka Trail

Going up the short and stiff climb towards the Puka. The pitter patter of rain came to keep us company in the mountains.

Pali Puka Trail

Standing below the imposing rock spire that I heard was successfully climbed by somebody who had skills. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pali Puka Trail

Ferlino making his way towards the Puka with zero views. Nothing to see here. Move on.

Nu’uanu Saddle

We contoured the slippery slope and gained the ridge line to see which way the wind blows in the mountains.

Incisor Rock

The rocks were too slippery to safely climb them, so I decided to keep my center of gravity low and contour around the tooth shaped rock. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Ferlino making his way over the cloud soaked ridge line.

W

Gaining elevation as we approached the rock obstacles named after the twenty-third letter of the alphabet. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

W

Ferlino climbing and contouring his way in between the triple spiked rock dikes.

Anvil

Dropping down the eroded section via a bunch of ropes and webbing that were connected to a somewhat shaky rock. Maybe it was me that was shaky. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu’u Lanihuli

Summit view-less at 2,760′ elevation. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kalihi Saddle

Descending down the ridge line with no break in the cloud cover. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kalihi Saddle

Ferlino treading carefully on the cracked ridge seemingly held together by grass and woody climbers.

Dirt Dragon

The ride is still free. Views are extra. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lanihuli Wall

Ferlino preparing to contour off the ridge line and down the steep, grassy flank of the mountain.

Lanihuli Wall

Making my way down the multiple tiered wall. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Can Opener

Ferlino coming down the crumbly rock terrace that was in the shadows of the bulging rock that will pop out one day.

Pimple

Rain, rain go away. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pimple

Ferlino contouring his way around the sliver of a rock.

Doorstop

Standing on top of the wedge shaped rock. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Doorstop

The winds started to pick up and kick the clouds off the mountains.

Bunny Ears

We finally started to get views of the Windward side. Better late than never. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Bunny Ears

Looking back at the clouds swirling around the mountain tops. I can see how Lanihuli got its name, which means “swirling heavens.”

Kalihi Saddle

Enjoying panoramic views on our hike. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Shark Fin

Ferlino climbing down the dorsal shaped rock.

Powerlines

All smiles as we gathered for a group photo at the powerlines before making our way down into Kalihi Valley. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

All pau

Somebody had cleared most of the vegetation leading down towards the HECO substation, so much that at first I didn’t recognize the trail. Many thanks to Jasmin for picking us up and bringing us back home after our soaked three mile saddle hike.

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.

Tagged as: anvil, bunny ears, can opener, dirt dragon, doorstop, incisor rock, kalihi saddle, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, lanihuli summit, lanihuli wall, nuuanu saddle, pali lookout, pali puka, pimple, powerlines, shark fin, w