Was I hallucinating? Was I actually standing in the company of  Tom, J, Sara, Marcus, Rito, Ted and Kilei on the side of Likelike Highway? I had to rub my eyes and pinch myself to realize that after five false starts that was cancelled due to weather, we were finally going to hike Kalihi Saddle! Pat Murphy was nice enough to play shuttle driver and pick all of us at the top of Alewa Drive and drop us off in front of the Wilson Tunnels on the town side. Photo by Kilei Nelson.

No hard hats, only hard heads

The somewhat paved road led us to this fenced off area. We picked up the trail to the left of the power station. I believe at this point, that Rito started the running gag about something “blue and sharp” that started to make its rounds within the group. Inside joke.

Mountain apples

Not yet ripe for the picking. Too bad, would have been a nice snack to take with us.

Powerline trail

After making our way up the mosquito infested trail for about half an hour, we came up to the powerlines that marked the center of Kalihi Saddle. Going to the left involves climbing up towards Kahuauli (Bowman), another hike for another day. We were going right towards Lanihuli.

Kalihi Valley

Sometimes it’s hard to spot signs of civilization.

“Easy” extreme?

Walking along the somewhat narrow ridgeline. So far, so “easy.” Nothing we haven’t done before, as Marcus had explained to us. Photo by Marcus Griego.

On the way to Shark Fin

Making our way down to the first obstacle – Shark Fin. Legendary hiker, Pete Clines, gave the colorful names to these obstacles on the saddle.

Shark Fin sighting

Going up, the trees were more of an obstacle than the obstacle itself on this climb.

Watch the Windward drop

The entire saddle is basically a narrow undulating ridgeline punctuated by obstacles of varying difficulty. In other words, enough to keep you interested and on the edge. Literally.

Going up the first Bunny Ear

The first bunny ear was as she sounded, nice and fluffy with trees. No real difficulty to be found here.

Winds are blowing!

Strong winds blowing from the Windward side pushed us away from the steep Windward cliff drops.

Tickling the second Bunny Ear

The second bunny ear was a tad taller and somewhat crumbly. Nothing to sneeze at. Marcus pointing at a loose rock that was best to be avoided. Photo by Tom Engle.

Hang on to those bushes!

The trees and bushes on the Leeward side combined with the pushy Windward winds kept us somewhat vertical on the narrow ridgeline.

Butt slide or belly flop – take your pick

Sometimes you just have to pause and check out the views. Photo by Marcus Griego.

Koolau Range

Like these views for example.

Knock Knock

Going up the Doorstop was a little more tricky, as it involved some rock climbing. A taste of what was to come. Photo by Tom Engle.

Bird’s eye view

Coming down the backside of the Doorstop, we discovered that there was rope leftover from previous hikers. Mahalo! Photo by Tom Engle.

Coming down the backside of Doorstop

Coming down these obstacles is challenging as you are fighting gravity and oftentimes it’s hard to see where your next foothold will be. Photo by Marcus Griego.

Caveman yawn or yell?

“Move it you maggots, I have mountain apples to pick!”

Squeeze, not pop it

Ropes are our friend on this hike. Coming down, my left foot made contact with some rocks which then promptly gave way, the rope helped me to recover.

Coming down the Pimple

This would be the last major rock obstacle we would have to climb. But the fun was not over yet. Not by a long shot. Photo by Marcus Griego.

Looking back at our challenges

Yup, we had to climb all over those bad puppies, that’s what makes ridge hiking fun and challenging. Photo by Ted Calvero.

Scrambling towards the Can Opener

There were a couple crumbly dirt sections to be climbed as we made our way up from the Pimple.

Snack break

Taking a well deserved snack break below the Can Opener. Photo by Marcus Griego.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back at Kalihi Saddle, one of three saddles on the Koolau mountain range. The other two being the Moanalua and Nuuanu Saddles.

Love that uki grass

After our break, we contoured on the Windward side of the Can Opener hanging onto the uki grass for dear life.

Steep contour around the Can Opener

Another perspective on the steep contour around the Can Opener. Photo by Ted Calvero.

Steep?

It was pretty steep going up. If you slipped, it would be a long tumble down.

Rock!

A word most hiker’s don’t want to hear. Especially when you’re on the receiving end! I don’t think my GoPro would have protected my big head. Luckily I ducked in time.

The “hook”

Looking back at the “hook” of the Can Opener. Photo by Tom Engle.

End of the rope

After 30 minutes of pulling ourselves up this near vertical cliff to regain the ridge using only plants and webbing, my arms were jello.

Above the Can Opener

Taking a short break on this small plot of real estate perched precariously on a thin ridge. Photo by Rito.

Skinny, steep ridge ahead

We started our long climb up a very steep and skinny ridge towards Lanihuli.

Looking back down

Rito taking pictures of the group coming up the ridge. Photo by Ted Calvero.

Can you say erosion?

Several sections of the ridge were more exposed and eroded than other parts. Photo by Tom Engle.

What’s all the commotion?

This section of the ridge was severely eroded, it seems like only a matter of time before this section gives way.

Rodeo Ridge!

The ridge was narrow to the point where you had to straddle and scoot to get across. Photos by Marcus Griego.

Back to climbing

The ridge widened, that’s being generous, enough for us to resume our climbing. Photo by Ted Calvero.

Nice day on the Koolau’s

Mother Nature was nice to us in the form of breezy trade winds and overcast clouds that helped keep us cool on the hike.

Almost there

The narrow ridge gradually became a tad wider as we approached the summit. Photo by Marcus Griego.

Lobelia gaudichaudii

We ran across this rare and endemic plant found only on Oahu, also known as the Koolau Range lobelia.

Final push to the summit

Marcus and Kilei making their way over the last couple hills before the summit.

koelle damselfly

The bug whisperer, J, found this damselfly, that played possum when he caught it. NatGeo is calling!

Lanihuli summit

Group photo at the cloudy summit standing left to right: myself, Rito, Kilei, Tom and Marcus. Kneeling left to right: Ted, J and Sara.

Summit view

The clouds cleared to give us a postcard view of the Windward side.

Going down Alewa ridge

A group of teenagers popped up at the summit, they had hiked up from Kamehameha School and were planning on going towards the Pali. They had no water and no idea what they were getting themselves into. That’s what leads to rescues. J was nice enough to give them some water and they wisely decided to go back down Alewa ridge.

Civilization!

The walk down Alewa ridge was the longest part of the hike, of course less fraught with challenges.

Graceful landing – 3 points!

Kilei and Marcus making their way over the fence at the top of Alewa Drive. After this, it was a late lunch at Bangkok Chef.

GPS Tracks

The 4.9 mile hike was the hardest I’ve done to date. It was filled with mental and physical challenges and an extra serving of fun along with good company.

Dark grey clouds and rain showers greeted us at the top of Alewa Drive. Rain was good at feeding the waterfalls but lousy at providing views at the top, as Marvin, Nani, Jade, Chris and myself were hiking from Mo’ole Falls to Lanihuli. After a good soaking, the rain passed and Will arrived to ferry us to the Pali Hunter Check In Station. Photo by Marvin Chandra.

Nuuanu doorman

Actually Will was supposed to have joined our crew today, but he had more pressing family matters – lunch with his mother-in-law. We thanked him for the ride and asked for any kalbi leftovers and crossed the Pali Highway to enter the lush forest.

Mudslide?

We came across this section that a mudslide had filled in the ditch and washed out the trail. Nature’s construction at work.

Headlamps?

Jade climbing into the ditch that leads to the irrigation tunnel. Headlamps and a lack of claustrophobia are highly recommended as the tunnel is about 5′  high and over 140′ long.

Coming out of the tunnel

Chris making his way to the light. Remember the tunnel height is about 5′ ? Chris who is about 6′, bumped his head as he sloshed his way through the muddy passage. Ouch!

Waterfall #1

After exiting the tunnel, we followed Mo’ole Stream to the first waterfall.

Watch your head

Jade and Nani ducking under some tree branches, at least it’s not rock!

Waterfall #2

Group photo at the largest waterfall, left to right: Marvin, Jade, Nani, Chris and myself. Notice Marvin’s expression.

Going up the trail

We backtracked a bit and regained the trail as we continued our waterfall exploration.

waterfall #3

Climbing down from the trail led us to the third waterfall.

Silk shot?

1/5 shutter speed was Marvin’s advice to best capture the moving water from the top of the third waterfall.

Rock hopping

Nani and Jade making their way to the next waterfall.

Waterfall #4

They should call this one the tree branches waterfall.

Waterfall #5

This one barely registers on the waterfall scale, a mere footnote.

Waterfall #6

Looking at the rather large boulder perched on the waterfall, I can only wonder how long before it rolls off?

Upstream

No slipping and sliding for me on this hike as I was using my spanking brand new tabis. I highly recommend them for waterfall hiking. Two toes up!

Waterfall #7

Having a timer speed of 25 seconds paid off for this group shot as I had to slowly make my way through muddy grass and slippery rocks. Notice Marvin’s expression.

On to the next waterfall

The group contoured to the right of the stream and dropped into the last waterfall we were going to see on this hike.

Waterfall #8?

We took our lunch break next to this gushing and roaring waterfall.

No more waterfalls

Waterfall time was over. Marvin, Jade, and Nani going up the ribboned trail on the left as we made our way out of the valley.

Coming out of the valley

Looking back at the views of town.

Pig trail?

Going up this steep pig trail, only saving grace was that somebody had cleared a path through the uluhe ferns. Thank you!

Lanihuli!

After pulling ourselves up the pig trail that finally connected to Alewa ridge, we started our climb towards Lanihuli.

Bowman trail to CCL

Looking at the Bowman trail to Haiku Stairs. Another hike that I still have to do.

View from the summit of Lanihuli

We reached the 2,700′ summit of Lanihuli to find it cloud free. Cheehoo!

Summit photo

Spoke too soon. A short while later, the cloud deck started dropping down. Quick! Take the group photo. Notice Marvin’s expression.

Going back down

After the clouds ended our viewing party at the summit, we descended back down the ridge. The views of Pali Hwy, Nuuanu Reservoir, Town and Likelike Hwy can be seen in this photo by Marvin Chandra.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back at Kalihi Saddle, our hike to her had been postponed five times due to weather. Would the sixth time be the charm?

Tornado cloud?

Coming down the ridge, we spotted a tornado looking cloud.

The Nani lecture

Nani pointing her finger at Marvin and lecturing him to stay with the group. Chris had cut his back and developed leg cramps on the way down. But he was still glad that he made the hike!

Snacks

We enjoyed some refreshing strawberry guavas on the way down. Depending on the trail and time of year, one can find mountain apples, lilikoi (passion fruit) and strawberry guavas to fill your tummy.

It’s not the Ritz

We were almost at the end of the trail, when we stopped to take a group photo at this windbreak shelter. It has seen better days. Notice Marvin’s expression. I think he actually cracked a smile in this one!

Breaking out

The fenced gate is now padlocked, so we had to climb over the fence.

All pau!

The last group photo of the day at the top of Alewa Drive. A great hike with a great crew.

Cleaning in progress

Chris using a neighbor’s garden hose to wash himself off. That’s how hikers get a bad rap. Actually, we stopped at a co-worker’s house and politely asked if we could wash our dirty bodies. Request granted.

GPS Tracks

The 6.13 mile hike was filled with waterfalls, ridge hikes and summit views. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday.

Bonus map

Marvin made this neat picto-map of our hike. Quite the creative chap.