Met up with Justin, Pip and Thessa to get back in the mountains and hike a saddle.

Haiku Stairs

We found over three dozen hikers clustered inside and outside the CCL building. I found out the majority of the hikers had simply strolled past the guard at the bottom and climbed up the stairs. What the heck? The only current legal access is through Moanalua Valley.

Haiku Stairs

City lights.

Relay station

Passing the defunct radar station nestled in between Moanalua Middle Ridge and Tripler Ridge.

Dawn

The magical moment before the sun crests over the horizon. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Sunrise

Good morning from Kahuauli (Bowman) summit. Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: myself, Justin, Thessa and Pip.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail

Looking back towards Stairway to Heaven.

Bowman side

Leaving the summit to start our descent down into the saddle.

Bowman side

Justin making his way over one crumbly rock at a time.

Bowman side

Bowman’s crumbly character has not aged well since I last paid a visit.

Bowman side

The crew watching to see if I would pull an Icarus or billy goat.

Bowman side

Watching out for showers of dirt and falling rocks as Thessa made her way down.

Bowman side

We contoured around to get back on the crumbly ridge.

Bowman side

Are those webbings safe? Well, let’s see. They’ve been out here, for who knows how long. Weathered by the sun. Pounded by the rain. Used repeatedly by countless hikers of unknown weights. 24/7. Yeah, we should be good. Always bring your own webbing to the party.

Bowman side

Justin soaking in the view.

Bowman side

The watcher being watched. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bowman side

Let’s stop and take a group photo on this crumbly ridge. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Bowman side

Pip hiking on the edge of the ridge.

Bowman side

Justin making his way down.

Bowman side

Pip climbing down one of the rock faces.

Bowman side

Justin making his way down.

Bowman side

Pip straddling the baby dirt dragon.

Bowman side

Justin taking a selfie. On a crumbly ridge.

Bowman side

Thessa making her way around a wobbly rock.

Bowman side

Pip making his way down to the Witch’s Hat.

Bowman side

Justin and Thessa scooting over the hump.

Bowman side

Pip climbing up the Witch’s Hat. Somebody left a rope. Ropes everywhere. A good and bad sign that certain trails are becoming more popular.

Bowman side

Justin making his way over the skinny ridge.

Bowman side

Pip cruising to the middle of the saddle.

Bowman side

We dropped over 1,000′ in elevation going down into the saddle.

Power lines

Justin and Thessa coming over to join us in the shade for a little break.

Lanihuli side

What goes down must go back up. We still had to climb up 1,200′ in elevation to make it to the top of Lanihuli.

Lanihuli side

The crew threading their way on the skinny ridge.

Lanihuli side

Approaching Shark’s Fin. I could go for some Chinese food now.

Lanihuli side

Pip coming down the backside.

Lanihuli side

Making our way to the bunny ears.

Lanihuli side

The crew making their way down the backside of the last bunny ear. Where was the foot?

Lanihuli side

Thessa coming down the doorstop, Justin in the middle and Pip popping the pimple. Say that three times real fast.

Lanihuli side

The can opener. Time for lunch. Hmmm, did I bring my can of Spam?

Lanihuli side

Group photo by Justin Hirako below the can opener.

Lanihuli side

Pip contouring around the can opener.

Lanihuli side

Justin and Thessa climbing up the Lanihuli Wall.

Lanihuli side

Justin and Thessa on the last leg of the Wall.

Lanihuli side

Pip contouring along the Wall.

Lanihuli side

Almost there. Our upper body strength was put to good use on this section.

Lanihuli side

There. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Lanihuli side

No rest for the weary. Up, up and more up.

Lanihuli side

The three amigos riding the dirt dragon.

Lanihuli side

False peak.

Lanihuli side

Justin popping up over the ridge.

Lanihuli side

Enough sightseeing. Back to hiking.

Lanihuli side

Almost there. We can see the summit.

Lanihuli summit

Who wants to go to Pali Puka? Crickets. Okay, let’s go down the valley. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Alewa Ridge

Justin going down the ridge. Thessa set a good pace and was blazing down the trail. Guess she really wanted to go home in a hurry. Or she was just really hungry. Photo by Valentin Ordonez.

Alewa ridge

Justin going down the spur ridge that would take us down to the valley.

Mo’ole Valley

The crew taking a short break at the base of the ridge.

Mo’ole Valley

One of seven waterfalls fed by the Mo’ole stream. A teasing trickle. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Mo’ole Valley

Walking through the valley, formerly known as Hillebrand Glen. Photo by Justin Hirako.

All pau

Awesome hike with a great crew. Our hike covered roughly 9.22 miles. We had a small problem when we popped out of the valley and found ourselves sitting next to the Pali Highway. Our ride called in sick. Uber? No drivers in the area. 422-2222? Quick. Jump in Lindsay’s car before Frank Delima chases us down. Post hike meal at Dennys. More bang for your buck.

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.

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.

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.

Taking a break from ridge hiking, I joined Nate, J, Tom and Glenn for some waterfall hiking in Nuuanu today.

I know that marker

We parked at the Pali Hunter’s Check-In Station and crossed the Pali Highway to enter an un-locked gate that took us into the lush forest. As we started on the trail, I recognized dirt ninja aka Chris’s tag tied on a tree, we eventually caught up with him before the irrigation tunnel.

Irrigation Tunnel

Soon we found ourselves at the entrance to the irrigation tunnel. Time to break out the head lamps, if you’re claustrophobic and don’t like stooping a lot, this tunnel is not for you. I heard there is a contour trail that goes around and above the tunnel.

Headlamps lead the way

Walking through the tunnel, we could feel the moisture above our heads and muddy puddles underneath our feet. This was a good sign. If the tunnel is bone dry, might as well turn around.

In Mo’ole Valley

After about 5 minutes, we emerged out of the tunnel and into Mo’ole Valley or Hillebrand Glen.

Waterfall #1

The first waterfall.

Tom the Swinger

Tom swinging on some tree roots.

Waterfall #2

The second waterfall is the largest and most impressive of the waterfalls to be found in Mo’ole Valley.

Waterfall #3

We had to backtrack a bit from the second waterfall and climbed down a trail to see the third waterfall.

Waterfall #4

The fourth waterfall had a lot of tree branches obscuring the view. A short while later, we came upon the fifth waterfall which was a footnote compared to the others.

Waterfall #6

The sixth waterfall.

A little climbing

We contoured and climbed to the right to continue to the next waterfall.

Going upstream

Walking upstream on sometimes slippery rocks. If you’re not sure-footed, it would be good to invest in a pair of tabi’s or reef walkers that provide a solid grip on wet rocks.

Waterfall #7

The seventh waterfall. I heard that there was an eight waterfall further ahead, but it was mentioned that it was nothing to look at. If one is feeling more adventurous, you can actually climb all the way to Lanihuli. Not today.

Back into the tunnel

Going back into the tunnel and coming out on the other side, we met Chris again who had stopped at the second waterfall before turning back.

GPS tracks of Mo’ole Falls

The entire hike was a little over 3 miles that was done in 3 hours.

Off the Pali Drive

We were not done yet! Still had another waterfall to explore – Waipuhia Falls. Armed with GPS tracks and information, since none of us had ever done this hike, we drove up to the Pali Lookout and parked on the road going to town.

Back in the forest

We followed the trail deep into the forest.

Today is Sunday

A leftover from this past Easter? I don’t know if somebody was trying to drag this huge cross to the falls, gave up and left it here?

Under trees, over trees

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Waipuhia Falls

We arrived at the barely moist Waipuhia Falls or Upside Down Falls. It would have been something to see, if the falls were flowing and the wind was catching it and tossing it back upwards. Not today.

Going up…

We climbed up the hill to our right to check out more of the scenery.

…Going down

It’s always neat to see the contrast in terrain, the hill we had just gone up was carpeted with grass and low lying plants. The other side of the hill going down was mostly barren of grass but heavily forested with trees.

Upside down falls … not today

Being in the company of extreme hikers, the talk naturally turned into ” Is climbing up these waterfalls doable?”

What’s for dinner tonight?

Coming back, Tom under the expert advice of Nate, picked some wild mushrooms from the forest for his stir-fry dinner later tonight.

GPS tracks of Waipuhia Falls

The entire hike was under a mile and took us a little over an hour to complete. We had Thai for lunch and was going to cap the day with a short hike up the Pali Notches. Mother Nature decided otherwise as rain started falling on us as we parked at the Pali Lookout. It was still a good day.