Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines) to Moanalua Saddle (Kulana’ahane)

by kenji SAITO on January 2, 2017

I decided to start off 2017 by slipping back into the saddles. Joining me today were Derek, Glenn, Lee and Matt.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

Thanks to Zack for dropping us off in the land of wallabies. No sightings.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

Making our way up to the power lines.

Sunrise

Sunrise

We caught the sun breaking over the three peaks of Olomana. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Glenn, Lee and Derek popping up over a hill.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Going up one at a time. Photo by Derek Potter.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Panoramic view of the Windward side by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Single file shuffling down Witch’s Hat.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing queue. Photo by Derek Potter.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Leaving behind Witch’s Hat.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Lee going up the saddle. Photo by Derek Potter.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Dancing on the ridges of Kalihi Saddle.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

We passed tabletop rock, found no breakfast and moved on. Photo by Derek Potter.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Glenn crabbing on the narrow and eroded ridge section.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Going up the first crumbly rock triangle. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Derek scrambling his way up.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Looking ahead to the second rock triangle.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The waiting game.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Where’d he go? Photo by Derek Potter.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Matt excused himself to the front of the line in order to recreate his bowel movement from our last hike up here. The only saving grace was that no Korean food was previously consumed like the last time.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Trying to stay downwind. Or should that be upwind? Photo by Derek Potter.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Lee and Derek barreling through the broken dirt wave.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

We dropped below the ridgeline to contour around the narrow and crumbly sections.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Double shaka for me. Double hands on the rope for Lee, as she climbed up to the ridgeline. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Matt, Lee and Derek making their way along the crumbly and eroded ridgeline.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Primate hiking up the ridge. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Leaving all the hard parts behind us.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Pausing and taking in the refreshing views. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way to the clouded summit of Bowman.

Bowman Summit

Bowman Summit

The sitting group photo. I didn’t get the memo.

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking in the clouds with only the highway noise to keep us company.

Tripler Toilet

Tripler Toilet

When you gotta go, you gotta go. At least Matt brought his own TP.

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

Group photo by Matt Vidaurri, left to right: Derek, Lee, Glenn, myself and Matt.

KSRT

KSRT

Traffic jam. Do you know where Stairway to Heaven is?

KSRT

KSRT

I wanna go up there too!

KSRT

KSRT

Go big or go home. Lee’s motto. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KSRT

KSRT

Somebody must have been plucking the lehua flowers like crazy. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KSRT

KSRT

Glenn almost passing out, I mean almost topping out at Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe.

KSRT

KSRT

The trail to heaven was filled with mud, crowds and covered in clouds. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

We ran into Ryan Chang, Katie Ersbak and their friends at the top. Group photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Let’s go hiking together. Text me. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Glenn looking for a pot to piss in.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Leaving the CCL building behind us.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Looking across Haiku Valley at Stairway to Hell.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The back stairs are slowly succumbing to Mother Nature. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Glenn and Lee contouring around an eroded section.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Glenn perched on the eroded section, affording him a commanding view of the valley. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

All clear?

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Glenn making his way down as we noticed we were not alone on the saddle. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Derek making his way down to the Dirt Triangle.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

I heard there is an active golf course in this area. Fore! Ouch! Photo by Derek Potter.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Lee making her way around the contour section with Moanalua Valley behind her.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Glenn leaving the Dirt Triangle behind him.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Is this the way to Haiku Stairs? The hard way. Ok, turning around.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Did somebody call rescue? Or a tour? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kulana'ahane Terminus

Kulana’ahane Terminus

Panoramic view from the terminus by Matt Vidaurri.

Kulana'ahane Terminus

Kulana’ahane Terminus

Leaving the summit to make our way down the spur ridge leading into the valley.

Moanalua Falls

Moanalua Falls

We saw a trickle of a waterfall coming down the chute.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

What? We’ve been hiking on unmaintained trails this whole time?

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

One of many stream crossings. The water was so clear. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Glenn and Lee making their way underneath the tangled thicket of hau tree branches.

Kulana'ahane Junction

Kulana’ahane Junction

Our last group photo.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Kamananui Valley Trail

Walking the long road out of the valley.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Kamananui Valley Trail

Lee crossing one of seven storied bridges that was built for the Damon family back in the day.

All pau

All pau

Walking out towards the sunset.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Great hike to start off the New Year with new and old friends. Our rollercoaster of a double saddle hike covered 10.76 miles. Post hike meal at Outback Steakhouse. Prime Rib, I have missed you.

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.

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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Lester January 16, 2017 at 6:35 pm

Insane and awesome photos!

Reply

kenji SAITO January 16, 2017 at 8:40 pm

Aloha Lester,
Thanks! Long time no see, since Manoa Falls? It’s all about the camera angles. LOL. If you ever want to hit up the saddles, let me know!
Mahalo

Reply

Lester January 18, 2017 at 4:59 pm

Yes, that’s right Kenjie. It was the Manoa falls, during Darby. Lol. Yes, angles and perspectives. Hahaha. Yes, will do in case. First, need to up my ante. That, Moanalua saddle got every beat of my heart emphasized. What more with the other saddles.

Aloha and Mahalo!

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