Pali Puka Lookout to Kalihi Saddle (Powerlines)

We had woken up earlier in an attempt to traverse all three saddles of the KST but were stymied by blue lights that were blockading the entrance to the valley formerly owned by the Damon family. The three of us decided to go back home and sleep on it. Met up later in the morning at the Pali Lookout to do an abbreviated version of the planned hike.

It was a short huff and puff up the mountain that made sure we were wide awake and not slumbering along the trail.

Akira at the rock window that was witness to the brutal battle of 1795 that secured the island of Oahu for King Kamehameha.

Scrambling up the steep rocky flank that had been slightly moistened by the passing morning rain showers.

Hiking on the exposed ridge line. A breath of fresh air. Literally.

Trying to stay grounded while soon to get our head in the clouds.

We know which way the wind blows on this side.

Time to pay a visit to the dentist in the mountains.

Flossing the cracks.

This webbing was getting long in the tooth.

Narrow as narrow gets.

Approaching the obstacle some call Donkey Kong or the true Pali Notches.

Akira coming down the grassy slippery slope.

Threading our way through the 23rd letter of the English alphabet.

Our group photo at the top with barely room to spare.

What does an upside W mean for somebody in particular?

Going up the fractured path as we watched out steps.

Moss only grows on trees and not crumbly rocks.

Taking a break in the swirling heavens.

Going down the other side of the saddle.

Tessa climbing her way down the ridge line.

Standing room only.

Tessa climbing over the constantly eroding ridge line. Here today. Gone tomorrow.

Straddling what is left of the receding physical manifestation of untamed nature.

Where’s my next foothold?

Perched on the side of the mountain.

Akira contouring his way back to the ridge line.

Group photo at the scenic spot with the saddle stretched out behind us.

Making my way down to the most visually striking of all the obstacles on this side of the saddle.

Tessa scrambling her way up to the next obstacle.

The rest of the group contouring their way around the sliver of a rockface.

Going up the front whose character is always evolving over time.

Akira pulling himself up the eroded rockface.

It only feels fluffy at the top.

Akira climbing down and over the hump.

Sitting on the edge.

Tessa standing on the magic mushroom rock. Akira was looking for the magic marijuana plant.

We could soon see the powerlines for the trail and the lifeguard that was droning our hike.

Climbing down the last major obstacle on the saddle.

A drone view of Tessa and Akira traversing the narrow ridge line. I hope it was worth the $35 ticket.

Met up with Matt at his launching spot and also our lunch spot as well.

Chef Suzuki preparing his udon with beef garnished with green onion that was simmered in dashi broth. Nothing like hot food in the mountains.

Group photo at the col before heading down into the valley.

One was checking her spikes, the other one was posing for the camera and the last one was watering the plants. Hoped he washed his hands. Thanks to Matt for driving us back to our cars. Post hike meal at Kam Bowl Restaurant where the chicken papaya was sorely lacking in taste. Hard pass. The hike was not all that was planned, but everybody came down safely and had a good time. Not a bad way to spend the day.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Matt Vidaurri, 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.

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