Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines) to Kulana’ahane

by kenji SAITO on November 9, 2021

I burned off a vacation day to take some visitors from Alaska on a hopefully memorable hike. Photo by Orion Satori.

Trailhead

Trailhead

Thanks to Quan for dropping Chris, Jackie, Orion and myself off at the power station. Photo by Orion Satori.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

The group coming up the recently cleared stairs.

Powerlines

Powerlines

Catching the breaking sun as we gained the saddle.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Making our way on the ridge line as we passed the knob and Camp Centipede. Photo by Orion Satori.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Approaching the conical shaped rockface. Photo by Orion Satori.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Scrambling up the backside.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Chris waiting for his broomstick. Photo by Orion Satori.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing up and over the hump. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Orion watching the rest of the group make their way up.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing queue. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Jackie making their way over the dip. Photo by Orion Satori.

Tabletop

Tabletop

No reservations required. Photo by Orion Satori.

Tabletop

Tabletop

Can I see your vax card and ID please?

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Climbing up on the Windward side of the rockface. Photo by Orion Satori.

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Orion on his way up.

Hot Wheels Tracks

Hot Wheels Tracks

Enjoying a relatively flat spot on the saddle. Photo by Orion Satori.

Hot Wheels Tracks

Hot Wheels Tracks

Chris checking out the sunrise views while Jackie made her way around the curved and crumbly ridge. Photo by Orion Satori.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Jackie pulling herself up the rockface. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Orion reaching his way to the top.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Chris coming up the crumbly slope. Photo by Orion Satori.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

Contouring around the ridgeline through the overgrown and loose under footing flank. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

We all got our upper body workout on this section.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Jackie caught between a rock and a hard place. Photo by Orion Satori.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing out of the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KSRT

KSRT

We were making good time so we took a small break and enjoyed the views.

Bowman Summit

Bowman Summit

Group photo at the overgrown summit with wrap around views.

KSRT

KSRT

Jackie traversing a couple small hills until the next summit. Photo by Orion Satori.

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

Group photo at the grassy summit with panoramic views of the Windward side.

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking the well trodden and rutted trail with safety ropes courtesy of HECO, the local electric utility. Photo by Orion Satori.

KSRT

KSRT

Approaching the second set of powerlines and the now defunct radar station. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KSRT

KSRT

Shadow shaka.

KSRT

KSRT

Orion showing us his balancing skills. Photo by Jackie.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking back at the ridgeline characterized by its dips, peaks and man-made structures. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Puu Keahi a Kahoe

Puu Keahi a Kahoe

Passing the slightly muddy 2,820′ peak known as the “fire of Kahoe.”

Puu Keahi a Kahoe

Puu Keahi a Kahoe

Jackie hiking in the trenches. Not as bad as Moanalua Middle Ridge. Yet. Photo by Orion Satori.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

Group photo in front of the CCL building with other hikers in the background for atmosphere.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

Looking down at part of the 3,922 steps that are slated to be removed. Who knows when is anybody’s guess. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing down the backside of the stairs. Photo by Orion Satori.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Hiking down the often rusted and twisted cable assisted trail.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The red-headed stepchild of the more famous stairs on the front side. Photo by Orion Satori.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing down to one of five anchor platforms that was used to hang 7,600′ of cable antennas to the other side of the valley.

Haiku Valley

Haiku Valley

Looking down into amphitheater shaped valley that was ideally suited for naval communications during WW2 based on the mountain topography. Photo by Orion Satori.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The erosion begins. The fun begins.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Orion climbing down a particularly steep section of the ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Chris making his way down. Photo by Orion Satori.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group climbing down the slippery rocks.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Jackie climbing her way down the Leeward side of the rockface. Photo by Orion Satori.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Chris making his way down. Photo by Orion Satori.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Contouring our way around the ridge with background views of Moanalua Valley.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Back on the crumbly ridge line. Photo by Orion Satori.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Orion with the background of the aptly named obstacle.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Dropping down the Windward side of the ridge with the bombproof transmitter building down on the valley floor known as the Omega Station. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Jackie contouring her way back to the ridge line.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Looking down at the entrance tunnels for the H3 highway which runs roughly 5,000′ underneath the Ko’olau Mountains. Photo by Orion Satori.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing down the last “tricky” section of the ridge line.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group coming down the narrow ridge line.

Kulana'ahane Summit

Kulana’ahane Summit

Group photo at the terminus of our ridge line hike.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Going down the spur ridge to hit the valley floor.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Crossing one of 23, 25 or 28 stream crossings. Who’s counting? Photo by Orion Satori.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Making our way underneath the twisted canopy of hau tree branches.

Kulana'ahane Junction

Kulana’ahane Junction

Back on the main trail that runs through Moanalua Valley.

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Crossing over one of seven stone bridges that pass over Moanalua stream. Photo by Orion Satori.

All pau

All pau

The introductory hike was a tad shy of eight miles and served up some challenging terrain with generous servings of spectacular views. Post hike meal at Dave & Busters where Taco Tuesday is now fashionable again.

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.

Leave a Comment

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Aida Gordon December 30, 2021 at 4:54 pm

Great pics of an amazing adventure! I heard the ropes are no longer there..someone I know went up first week of December

Reply

kenji SAITO January 1, 2022 at 9:42 am

Aloha Aida,
Thanks. I talked to Chris who just did it this past week and he said everything is still there.
Mahalo

Reply

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