Met up with Anne and Dennis at the Pali Lookout to break in their saddle cherries. Drone photo by Dennis Regan.

Pali Lookout

Scrambling our way up the steep and slippery rooted trail.

Pali Puka Trail

The sun was slowly peeling the shadows away from the imposing rock spire ahead of us. Glad we are not climbing that!

Konahuanui

Looking back at the strikingly clear summit of the highest peak on the Ko’olau Range.

Pali Puka

View from the other side. Drone photo by Dennis Regan.

Trail

Anne making her way up the long slippery slope to the ridge line.

Nu’uanu Saddle

We hit the exposed ridge line and starting climbing our way down the saddle. Photo by Dennis Regan.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Anne and Dennis passing the wind bent trees, but hardly a whisper of wind blew through the mountains today.

Incisor Rock

Swinging myself up and over the rock. Beats contouring any day. Photo by Dennis Regan.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Anne and Dennis coming down one crumbly rock at a time.

Thimbleberry

Passing thorny bushes of these tart trail snacks.

Nu’uanu Saddle

We had stunning panoramic views from Kanehoalani to Olomana.

Donkey Kong

Grabbing fistfuls of uki grass as we made our way up to the adventure in the mountains.

Donkey Kong

It’s on like Donkey Kong. Photo by Anne Fai.

W

Dennis contouring his way down the non-visible trail.

W

Somebody was either exhausted or glad to have made it to the top. Or both.

W

Anne and Dennis trying to pass themselves off as the 23rd letter of the alphabet.

Anvil

Making my way down the short drop. Photo by Anne Fai.

Anvil

Did that rock just move?

Trail

Anne contouring her way back up to the ridge line.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Pulling ourselves up the severely eroded ridge line which has seen much better days.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Climbing our way out of the saddle and to the summit.

Lanihuli Summit

Drone photo of Swirling Heavens by Dennis Regan. The only thing swirling was our heads over the crystal clear 360 degree heavenly views around us.

Lanihuli Summit

Sometimes a helping hand is all a drone needs.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the 2,700′ summit behind us as we dropped down into another saddle.

Kalihi Saddle

Scooting and scrambling our way down the serpentine ridge. Photo by Anne Fai.

Kalihi Saddle

When hikers on a narrow ridge line have to regress to their pronograde posture of their forebears.

Dirt Dragon

Group photo on the crumbly back, left to right: Dennis, Anne and myself.

Lanihuli Wall

What happened to the webbing?

Lanihuli Wall

Lowering ourselves down the steep flank of the ridge line.

Trail

Dennis contouring his way back to the ridge line.

Kalihi Saddle

Drone photo by Dennis Regan of the most photographed spot on the saddle.

Can Opener

Leaving the eroded section underneath the sofa sized rock that is just waiting to pop out. And we’re not even at the pimple yet.

Kalihi Saddle

Making our way down to start our colorful climbs. Photo by Anne Fai.

Pimple

Trying my best not to dislodge any rocks going up. Photo by Anne Fai.

Doorstop

Dennis climbing his way up. Photo by Anne Fai.

Doorstop

Anne making her way to the top.

Bunny Ears

They sure don’t feel soft as one. Photo by Dennis Regan.

Bunny Ears

Anne and Dennis making their way down the crumbly ridge line.

Kalihi Saddle

You go your way and I’ll go my way. Photo by Dennis Regan.

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there. Really.

Kalihi Saddle

Request wide angle photo please. Photo by Dennis Regan.

Sharks Fin

Anne making her way down the last obstacle.

Powerlines

Drone photo by Dennis Regan with Kalihi Valley in the background.

All pau

Walking out the service road as we finished our less than three mile saddle hike that was blessed with the best weather I have seen to date. Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up. Nobody had time or wanted to eat, so it was McDonald’s for me.

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.

Some folks wanted a taste of the saddles, I just wanted to get to Bowman. Somewhere in between was a happy compromise.

Trail

Met up with Charlie, Chris, Clayton, Ferlino and Kimi at the Pali Lookout. The sign marks the spot.

Pali Puka

Chris enjoying the fiery sunrise with his morning wood. Photo by Kimiyo Bowlby.

Pali Puka

Brief stop at the hole in the rock.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Contouring our way up to the ridge line. Photo by Charlie Antonio.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Always interesting to see how the wind has shaped the flora on the ridges and mountains.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Charlie playing King of the Hill. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Incisor Rock

Kimi swinging her way around the toothy rock.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Climbing up the next chossy hill. Photo by Clayton Takemoto.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Making our way up as the clouds slowly started to envelop us in a mass of minute milkiness.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Headed higher into the clouds. Who needs the views? Photo by Charlie Antonio.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Leaving the views behind us.

“W”

Scrambling our way towards Donkey Kong. Photo by Clayton Takemoto.

“W”

Dropping off the hill to contour our way to the triple diked formation. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

“W”

Somebody yelled “I’m not crazy. I’m cute.” It wasn’t the girl.

“W”

Threading our way through the odd assortment of webbing, wire and ropes.

“W”

Charlie playing King of the Hill again. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Anvil

Dropping down from the “lost” puka of the pali. Electrical cable is so yesterday. Photo by Kimiyo Bowlby.

Anvil

Ferlino preparing to climb down and contour around the ridge.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Climbing our way back to the ridge.

Lanihuli

Passing a few lehua flowers with thinning, dew dropped salmon stamens on our way to the summit for a lunch break. Hikers have to eat.

Lanihuli

Leaving the socked in summit for crumbly ridges.

Kalihi Saddle

Cramping and spiking our way down the steep ridge.

Dirt Dragon

Chris keeping a tight leash on the dragon.

Dirt Dragon

Sitting room only. Odd man standing.

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping down from the cloud soaked mountain.

Lanihuli Wall

Going down the flank of the uki populated ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Lanihuli Wall

Everybody waiting their turn to come down the multi-tiered wall.

Lanihuli Wall

The flank of the ridge may appear steeper than it actually is. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Lanihuli Wall

Kimi coming down the last tier.

Lanihuli Wall

Charlie and Ferlino dropping off the wall. Photo by Kimiyo Bowlby.

Can Opener

Group photo left to right: Chris, Ferlino, Kimi, Clayton, Charlie and myself.

Can Opener

Leaving the crumbly base behind us.

Pimple

The pimple had popped off the old rope that used to dangle on the side.

Pimple

Chris and Ferlino climbing their way up to contour at the top. Photo by Charlie Antonio.

Doorstop

Going up the high water roped rock. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Doorstop

There were a lot of backseat hikers directing Kimi on her climb up.

Bunny Ears

Traversing in between the not so fluffy lop shaped rocks.

Bunny Ears

Leaping Bunny, otherwise known as Ferlino. Photo by Charlie Antonio.

Shark’s Fin

Finning the shark.

Shark’s Fin

Anybody hungry for Chinese food?

Kalihi Saddle

Panoramic view of the Windward coastline.

Kalihi Saddle

The group coming down the last hill on the ridge.

Powerlines

Some of us still had energy to burn after reaching the bottom of the saddle, by pole hugging and upside down sit ups. Me, I was just hungry.

Powerlines

Kimi showing us that gymnasts can also be pole huggers as well.

All pau

Dropping off the trail and finding a recently cleared swath around the substation leading us straight to the road. Big thanks to Anne and Jasmin for picking us up on the side of the highway and Anne bringing us cold drinks and French fries. Nothing like fast food to pick you up.

GPS Tracks

Our Saddlebowl Sunday hike covered a scant 2.73 miles as the mynah bird flies. Fun hike with an amazing group. Post hike meal at Mexico Restaurant, where they still have stuffed heads on the walls and dish out free salsa and chips with your meal.

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.

Chris, Justin, Ryan, Thessa and myself spent Easter in the mountains looking for the mythical rabbit that leaves the chocolate eggs. Or was it the hiker that poops the plastic eggs?

Trailhead

Nobody but us hikers and chickens at the lookout. Early hikers get the adobo?

Scramble

Thessa coming up the short, steep and sweet hill.

Good Morning

We caught the sun breaking over the Windward side.

Pali pinnacle

Approaching the Pali Puka.

Pali Puka

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Ryan, myself, Thessa, Chris and Justin.

Contour

Chris coming up the contour around the pinnacle.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Back on the saddle again.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking back at the clear summit of Konahuanui.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The hotline went unanswered, so we continued our climb to Puu Suicido.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris scrambling up the ridge.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Silhouette hikers.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris and Ryan contouring around a “toothy” rock.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Justin and Thessa making their way over the ridge. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Minor rock scrambling. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Soaking in the views and taking a break. Multi-tasking hiking. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The sun was shining on our sweaty faces and the clouds were dancing over the Ko’olaus. Nice day to be outside.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Give me a X. Give me a Y. Give me a Z.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Climbing up to the “W.” Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Panoramic view of the Windward side.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Left? Right? Upside your head.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The crew contouring around the “W.”

Nu’uanu Saddle

Thessa’s point of view. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Nu’uanu Saddle

My point of view.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris giving us the “W.”

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris and Ryan approaching the long lost Puka of the Pali. Photo by Justin Hirako

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris about to come down from the anvil rock.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Justin making his way down. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris contouring around the ridge.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking back. What a view.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Almost there.

Lanihuli Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako at the 2,700′ summit. Clear views to be had by all.

Lanihuli

Halfway there. We munched on our lunch and picked up where we left off. Well some of us picked up.

Lanihuli

Looking back at Justin and Thessa who decided to go down the Alewa Ridge Trail and pick us up on the other side. With cups of steaming hot cocoas. Topped with an expletive.

Lanihuli

Disappearing from their view. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Panoramic view.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan coming down the mountain.

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping down into the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Riding the dirt dragon, or what’s left of it. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Some sections were a tad crumbly.

Kalihi Saddle

Descending down Lanihuli Wall.

Kalihi Saddle

Uki grass is your friend. Repeat many times. Hold many times.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan contouring around the ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Coming down from the Can Opener.

Kalihi Saddle

Pimple. Doorstop. Bunny Ears. Sharks Fin. Colorful names for crumbly rocks.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris coming up the Pimple.

Kalihi Saddle

Perhaps we will find the chocolate eggs between those ears?

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan traversing the Bunny Ears.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris coming down the last Bunny Ear.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking out towards the lush and verdant Kalihi Valley.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan making their way down Sharks Fin.

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris got to break in his new webbing.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan approaching the power lines and our way down.

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping down into the valley floor.

All pau

We walked out to the highway and waited for Justin and Thessa to pick us up. Our ride came with benefits. Slushy Icees! Expletive taken back!

GPS Tracks

Our saddle hike covered 3.19 miles with a great crew. Post hike meal at Au’s Garden. Is that a discount? No. Let me adjust and give you the full price. Gee thanks.

Note: I have been made aware the 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.

This was our third and successful attempt at hiking Pali Puka to Lanihuli. The previous two attempts were rained out. I picked up my friend from the top of Alewa Drive and we found ourselves at the Pali Lookout as the chickens were greeting the new day as we were to start our longest hike to date.

Panaromic view of Kaneohe

We entered the trailhead where the tour buses park on the left, climbing over the broken section of the rock wall to start our climb through the bamboo grove. We quickly gained elevation to see a sweeping view of the Windward side of the island. Click here to see the original and much larger panoramic image.

Pali Puka

One can easily overlook the Pali Puka, a natural hole in the mountain, as you have to climb down from the ridge right before the towering peak, to get to it.

The Peak

We contoured to the left of the peak, hauling our butts up to the ridgeline with the aid of an old electrical cord. You actually see a wide assortment of assists on the trails on Oahu ranging from electrical cables, nylon straps, parachute cord and ropes. Whatever works is my motto!

The fun begins

The fantastic views of the Windward side popped up after we regained the ridgeline. That’s the main reason I love these ridge hikes, is the fantastic views afforded to those that make the effort to get out there.

The trail to Lanihuli

We started climbing the narrow ridge trail towards Lanihuli, the trail was thickly covered with vegetation which proved to be a blessing and a curse. Blessing as it seemed that it provided some sort of false security on the narrow ridge and a curse as you had to constantly contend with pockets of thick vegetation which seemed to more hinder than help. Click here to see the original and much larger panoramic image.

Puu Suicido

I believe this part of the ridge was named Puu Suicido by some other hikers due to the “toothy” look of the ridge that has to be climbed. Luckily, there was a rope that we used to climb down the backside of the “tooth”.

Looking back towards Konahuanui

Looking back at the ridgeline we had just climbed. The weather was perfect as we saw the top of Konahuanui, which is usually cloaked in clouds.

The "W"

Scrambling towards the “W” or “Donkey Kong” which some hikers consider the “True Pali Notches.”

Donkey Kong

The “W” wasn’t particularly hard as we climbed down to the left side of the first notch and climbed over the last two notches. Then we came to the “anvil rock” where a rope was tied around this piece of rock that didn’t look particularly stable. Ahead of us, the ridge had eroded to the point where it was concaved and the only way around it was to climb down the rope from the anvil rock to the left side of the mountain. After we got to the bottom of the rope, we had to perch precariously on some clumps of grass as we looked for the non-existant trail. After resting a bit, we finally pulled ourselves up to the ridgeline. Thank goodness for all that vegetation as there was no rope to help us get up to the ridgeline.

Top of Lanihuli

We arrived at the top of Lanihuli at an elevation of 2,700 feet. Clouds rolled in and out, partially obscuring the view, but what a great view it was.

Clear and Cloudy

We started to head down and it looked like the windward side of the mountain was holding the clouds at bay from rolling over to the town side.

Headed down

We came across a trunk that had almost a dozen colored ribbons that marked the junction to turn left towards Alewa.

Forest for the trees?

As we started our descent, it seemed to go on forever. We thought we took the wrong turn down, as the sun soon started to set and the end of the trail was nowhere in sight. We ran across what looked like a camping site with a couple pitched tents and thought we might have to make use of it that night.

What happened to the sun?

Half hour after the sun had set, we heard dogs barking and knew civilization was near. We then came across an enclosed fence and followed it to the right to an unlocked side gate where we found our car. This was the longest in duration hike that we have done to date. It took us almost twelve hours to finish. I didn’t think it would take so long after reading other hikers blogs. Either we were very slow that day or somehow took a wrong turn. But we finished it safe and sound.