Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines) to South Haiku Stairs

by kenji SAITO on March 26, 2023

Met up with familiar and not so familiar faces to hike what would later be known as the Ko’olau Summit Trail according to the fourth estate. Not far off from the mark.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

We got dropped off on the side of the highway where we started our hike in the valley of introduced macropods and outdoor mechanics.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Got to the top of the saddle to find out that Amber, Justin and his friend Jackson had arrived earlier to catch the sunrise.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing up the first ropes of the day.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Somebody pointing to their three favorite peaks and photobombing at the same time. Multi-tasking at its finest.

Camp Centipede

Camp Centipede

Passing through the land of predatory arthropods.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The early birds coming down from their lofty perch to join us on the trail.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Climbing up the backside.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Looking down at the congo line making its way up.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Chico going down against the backdrop of the imposing and steep saddle.

Witch's Hat

Witch’s Hat

Somebody was waiting for a holiday to fly off the conical shaped rockface.

Hump Rock

Hump Rock

It was only Sunday. It’s going to be a long week.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Thomas walking across the skinny ridge line.

Tabletop

Tabletop

Does your group have reservations? Party of nine.

Tabletop

Tabletop

Can’t beat the view from the saddle.

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Chico climbing up the Windward side.

Rock Triangle #1

Rock Triangle #1

Jen topping out as the others waited their turn.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The group traversing over the crumbly and eroded ridge line.

Hot Wheels Track

Hot Wheels Track

Everybody in the holding pattern, waiting to climb up the next obstacle.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full. Drone fly by.

Rock Triangle #2

Rock Triangle #2

Gecko eye view of the group climbing up.

Crumbly Contour

Crumbly Contour

Watch your webbing on the way up.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

We soon heard the sounds nobody wants to hear in the mountains, “Somebody fell.” We climbed back down to make a better assessment of the situation and found out that that Jackson needed to be extracted for medical attention. The call was made to 911 and the response was swiftly forthcoming.

Kalihi Valley

Kalihi Valley

The harness being lowered by Air Rescue after Jackson received on site medical attention by the first responder.

Windward

Windward

Jackson being extracted to the landing zone in Kaneohe. What lead to his fall is all a matter of conjecture, as only he can answer that question. What we do know for sure; is that accidents happen, the group reacted and responded well to the events that unfolded and a big thanks to HFD for their urgent help in this matter. Best wishes for his speedy recovery.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Nothing to see here, except a rain of rocks, move along.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

It was all about upper body strength on this section. For many, this was the hardest part of the trail.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Thomas using his wide wingspan to grab the next rock. According to one study, the average adult man has an arm span 2.1 inches longer than his height. That would give Thomas a whopping 6’5″ wingspan, still not good enough for the NBA.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The group scrambling out of the saddle.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Amber practicing her survival skills. Uki grass is your best friend in the mountains.

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking our way to the first summit of the day.

Bowman Summit

Bowman Summit

Somebody was out of the Navy.

Bowman Summit

Bowman Summit

Group photo at the 2,740′ summit.

KSRT

KSRT

Traversing between summits.

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

Group photo with Trump and his MAGA supporters at the summit of Kaho’omoe’ihikapulani.

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

Justin launching his drone from the 2,760′ summit.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

As the drone flies. Straight to the summit of Lanihuli.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Return trip.

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

Close, but no cigar. The saying originated from early carnival days when cigars were the prizes.

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way to the second set of powerline towers.

KSRT

KSRT

Chico keeping his feet grounded.

KSRT

KSRT

The group making their way to the summit of Pu’u Keahi’a’kahoe.

KSRT

KSRT

Rose in the rutted trail that is almost a continuation from Moanalua Middle Ridge as we made our way to the Communications Control Link (CCL) building that was built back in 1942.

CCL Building

CCL Building

We asked a Marine to take our group photo and not to cut off the radar dishes at the top. I got this. Semper Fi.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

The plan to continue our saddle hike was aborted in favor of getting off the mountain quickly as we didn’t want to be the source of repeat business.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

Somebody finally noticed Profile Rock on our way down. Better late than never.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

Going down the last of the 3,922 steps, give or take, that makes up the infamous “attractive nuisance.” The fate of these stairs, which literally draws thousands of people from the four corners of the world, is up in the air as the political winds keep shifting the goal post.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

The group stepping off the stairs and into Haiku Valley.

All pau

All pau

Mahalo to Jasper, Allison and Quinn for showing us the way out, while the rest of the group went to church. Thanks to Lilia for picking us up.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Fun hike that covered a little over four miles and was tempered with a dose of reality with new and old friends. Post hike meal at Pho My Vi, where the burning question was how big are your carrots?

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Amber Fonte, Chico Cantu, Jen Odence, Justin Nambounmy, Rose Mathis, Thomas Barrett and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Thomas B. March 31, 2023 at 8:35 pm

Such a fun hike! Was really stoked to be part of it! Great write-up!

Reply

kenji SAITO April 1, 2023 at 8:02 am

Aloha Thomas,
Thanks, nice meeting you that day.
Mahalo

Reply

Charles Carlos Cantu March 31, 2023 at 10:16 pm

Awesome hike brother!

Reply

kenji SAITO April 1, 2023 at 8:03 am

Aloha Chico,
Yep, let’s do it again so you can practice and perfect your handstand by then. LOL.
Mahalo

Reply

Jibby April 22, 2023 at 9:14 pm

Hey I was curious if you knew anything about Ewa airfield not so much a hike but rather an exploration or even the abandoned military nike middle site above the Kapolei land fill that seems like it would be a fun hike

Reply

kenji SAITO April 23, 2023 at 7:37 pm

Aloha Jibby,
I do mostly ridge hikes, the times I do exploration hikes like the ones you mentioned, I usually do with friends that are more into it than me. lol.
Mahalo

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