Moanalua Valley Trail to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

by kenji SAITO on January 22, 2023

The surf was up over at Waimea Bay for the Eddie and the saddles were a go for Aileen, Art, Tessa and myself over in Moanalua Valley.

Kulana'ahane Junction

Kulana’ahane Junction

We soon caught up with a group that had pushed off earlier than us from the bathrooms. They were headed to the hike du jour – Stairway to Heaven via Middle Ridge. Or so they thought.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Our paths crossed again on the valley trail. “You guys going the right way?” “We know the way. Thanks Unko.” A few minutes later. “The trail is to the left.” Looks at their phone. “We are supposed to be to the right.” Face palm.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Examining part of the wreckage that was scattered from a Thunderbolt fighter plane that crashed into the valley back in 1948. The pilot parachuted out and was picked up on Moanalua golf course.

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Leaving the maintained for the unmaintained. Always an experience.

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Going up the short puff of the steep spur ridge.

Kulana'ahane Summit

Kulana’ahane Summit

Group photo at the top with Haiku Valley and H3 behind us.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group making their way up the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Approaching the first crumbly climb.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Anchor assistance.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The report of the trail death was an exaggeration.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Why go Leeward, when you can go Windward?

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Approaching the most famous obstacle on this side of the saddle.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Contouring our way around the face side.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Aileen climbing her way to the top of the ridge line.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Art bringing up the rear.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing up the pile of rocks.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Erosion constantly changes the character and “face” of the mountains. It’s almost like having Alzheimer’s. It’s always a new day in the mountains.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Going straight up the eroded cliff. No detouring.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa gaining the top of the crumbly climb.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The biggest little climb.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Will the real dirt dragon please sit down?

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

All the “sketchy” parts were behind us. Just straight forward ridge hiking until we reach heaven.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Art in between platforms.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

There’s a lady who’s sure, all that glitters is gold, and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.

CCL Building

CCL Building

The inside was remarkably free of rubbish, save for somebody’s tent.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Looking down at the stairs whose fate seems to lie in the hands of money and politics.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

A bystander took our group photo in exchange for some sunscreen. Not off my face.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the summit of Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe.

KSRT

KSRT

Look ma, no hands!

Tripler Summit

Tripler Summit

We bumped into members of the HTMC at the 2,760′ grassy knob.

KSRT

KSRT

Leaving the powerline towers behind us as we traversed the ridge line.

Bowman Summit

Bowman Summit

No stopping at the 2,740′ summit.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Descending down the sliver of a crumbly ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Aileen sliding her way over the rock and clinging to the rope at the same time. Multi-tasking at its finest.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Tessa looking for the proper footing to cross over.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

We set up a human double anchor so that Aileen could safely do the walk of faith.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

The climb down was more a mixture of dirt and dry grass.

Dirty Slide

Dirty Slide

Contouring our way back to the ridge line.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Goofy footing my way down. No crowds here. Zero points.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Falling rock zone.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Now somebody can chalk up a broken stake in addition to the broken wave.

Broken Wave

Broken Wave

Tessa making short work of the down climb.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Art making his way down the “twister” of a climb.

Rock Triangle

Rock Triangle

Tessa going down the first rock triangle.

Rock Triangle

Rock Triangle

Hey, how about a spot? Hold on! I’m checking my FB status. Priorities.

Hot Wheel Tracks

Hot Wheel Tracks

We scooted over the narrow “bridge” while …

Hot Wheel Tracks

Hot Wheel Tracks

… Sugar Daddy in Training just skipped over with a song in his heart. I guess he’s not in training anymore.

Hot Wheel Tracks

Hot Wheel Tracks

Arresting Art’s fall at the expense of my hand.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Scooting our way down the saddle.

Rock Triangle

Rock Triangle

Checking out the Windward drop.

Rock Triangle

Rock Triangle

Aileen coming down the rockface whose Windward holds have eroded over time.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

More scooting. Theme of the day.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

One step at a time.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Let’s not make it three for three. Broken tree.

Tabletop

Tabletop

Contorting and climbing our way down.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back at the group descending down the saddle.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Going up the wave crest.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

The ridge slightly widened and then narrowed again. Just like a funnel.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

Approaching the scenic point.

Witchs Hat

Witchs Hat

Making our way down to the last obstacle for the day.

Witchs Hat

Witchs Hat

The sun was setting as we made our way to the conical shaped rockface.

Witchs Hat

Witchs Hat

Golden hour.

Witchs Hat

Witchs Hat

Get busy hiking or get busy walking in the dark.

Witchs Hat

Witchs Hat

Tessa climbing her way up.

Witchs Hat

Witchs Hat

Tick tock. Daylight time was running out.

Witchs Hat

Witchs Hat

Making our way down the backside, Tessa had a bowl of snap, crackle and pop. Not talking about the cereal either.

Kalihi Saddle

Kalihi Saddle

All roads eventually lead to home.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Going down the last rope climb with proper illumination.

Powerlines Trail

Powerlines Trail

Approaching the lighted HECO substation as we made our way down to the service road.

All pau

All pau

You look familiar? We came out to find a cop pulling special duty on the side of the town bound highway which was closed for construction. Mahalo to El for picking us up despite the detours and taking us back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our saddle traverse covered roughly 7.6 miles over crumbly ridges, great scenery and with good company. Post hike meal at the only eatery still open. McDonald’s! All food tastes great in the mountains, that doesn’t necessarily hold true at sea level.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Art Young, Tessa Bugay 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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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Wahinee01 February 11, 2023 at 4:08 pm

Fun hike, one of my fave hikes on the island! Love me some saddle.. lol
Thank you Kenji, see ya on the next adventure

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kenji SAITO February 12, 2023 at 5:26 pm

Aloha Tessa,
Yup, one of my fav hikes as well. See ya.
Mahalo

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