Pali Lookout to Kalihi Valley

The winds were blowing hard and then some at the Pali Lookout where Asami dropped Nelson and myself off this blustery morning.

Pali Puka Trail

Nelson making his way up the short and stiff climb.

Pali Puka

Looking out through Mother Nature’s window to the Windward views.

Nu’uanu Saddle

We climbed up the slick roots and rocks on the Leeward flank of the ridge which gave us a temporary respite from the howling winds and then we found ourselves back on the exposed ridge line.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The curtain of clouds filtered and muted the breaking sunrise.

Incisor Tooth

Contouring and climbing my way around the tooth shaped rock. Anybody see it move?

Nu’uanu Saddle

Nelson scrambling his way up and around the chossy rocks that resembled a ridge line.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Approaching the triple dikes known as Donkey Kong or the twenty-third letter of the alphabet.

W

Checking out the sweeping views of the lush and verdant Nu’uanu Valley, home to historic battles and homes.

W

Nelson climbing down the sheer and steep flank of the ridge.

W

Stand up to be recognized. Some were just fine with sitting.

Anvil

Making my way down the jiggly rock.

Anvil

Nelson coming down to land on what little perch of real estate is left before it erodes completely away.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Climbing up the last steep section before the ridge line leveled off.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Making our way to the swirling heavens summit.

Lanihuli Summit

Group photo at the 2,700′ top.

Kalihi Saddle

Descending from the summit on a somewhat narrow ridgeline choked with vegetation.

Kalihi Saddle

The ridge line appears to be heavily eroded in certain sections from my last visit. Or perhaps my memory is failing me.

Dirt Dragon

Keeping a tight leash on what’s left of the soil serpent that is slowly crumbling back into folklore.

Kalihi Saddle

Taking in the views of the fluted mountains and Windward views.

Kalihi Saddle

Did I mention the erosion?

Lanihuli Wall

Transitioning between the upper and lower tiers of the wall.

Lanihuli Wall

Nelson coming down the lower tier of the wall.

Kalihi Saddle

Contouring our way below the bulging rock.

Can Opener

Nelson looking up at the crumbly rocks that completly surrounded him.

Pimple

Keeping our center of gravity low to the ground as the wind whipped dirt and small pebbles into our faces and every open orifice it could find.

Doorstop

Nelson climbing up against the backdrop of the “you have to be there” and “pictures don’t do it justice” towering mountain that we had just climbed down from.

Bunny Ears

Enjoying the full blast of Mother Nature’s air conditioning.

Bunny Ears

Nelson coming down the last of the not so fluffy rock faces.

Kalihi Saddle

Watching the toy sized cars moving on the asphalt and concrete roads that cut through the lush landscape.

Shark Fin

Nelson climbing down the dorsal shaped rock. Chinese food anybody?

All pau

We decided to call it a day and get out of the gale force winds and end our less than three mile hike at the powerlines trail. Thanks to Bless for picking us up and taking us back to our cars. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where Nelson sampled his first meal of their Tasty Chicken.

Photos taken by Nelson Bustamante 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.

Tagged as: anvil, bunny ears, can opener, dirt dragon, doorstop, kalihi saddle, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, lanihuli summit, lanihuli wall, nuuanu saddle, pali lookout, pali puka, pimple, powerlines trail, shark fin, w