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.