We picked up where we had left off from last weekend. Staged our cars at Moanalua Valley and briefly talked to the police officers (popo) watching the valley 24/7 while somebody used the bathroom. The slang “popo” originated in Southern California when police officers on bicycles wore t-shirts with PO (police officer) printed on them. Riding in pairs, they would spell out po-po. Thanks to Cinja for giving us a ride before her hike. Amber was there just for the photo shoot.

Kalihi Saddle

Left the humid valley of yet to be seen wallabies and broke out on the exposed ridge cooled with abundant trade winds.

Kalihi Saddle

Skirting the narrow ridge bordered with bushes on one side and steep drops on the other side.

Witch’s Hat

Roger climbing up the back side.

Witch’s Hat

Tessa climbing up the conical shaped rockface.

Witch’s Hat

Looking ahead to the steep and unrelenting climb ahead of us.

Witch’s Hat

Akira downclimbing the front side of the hat.

Kalihi Saddle

Which rock is crumbly and which one is not? Playing Jenga in the mountains.

Kalihi Saddle

The rest of the group cresting over one of many high points on the ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Keeping our center of gravity low as the winds pushed us around on the saddle.

Kalihi Saddle

Akira keeping his balance as he “rides” the wave on the ridge line.

Tabletop

Roger finding his own way.

Tabletop

Tessa climbing her way up the rockface.

Kalihi Saddle

Straddling the new dirt dragon. The other one is set to retire soon.

Rock Triangle

Climbing up on the exposed Windward side.

Rock Triangle

Roger providing photographic support.

Rock Triangle

Pulling myself up on the Leeward side of the rockface.

Rock Triangle

Roger climbing his way up.

Rock Triangle

Tessa’s turn to climb up the rockface.

Broken Wave

Akira coming up the uneven runway of loose and shifting dirt and rocks.

Dirty Slide

Everybody had to eat their Wheaties to make it up this one. It was probably the most physically exhausting in terms of upper body strength.

Dirty Slide

Akira standing on the crumbly edge. Not too far out, just far enough.

Kalihi Saddle

Roger scrambling over the bulging rock.

Kalihi Saddle

The group climbing up the thin strip of loose dirt that passed for a ridge line.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Soaking in the mountain views after our climb out of the saddle.

Bowman Summit

Group photo at the 2,740′ summit of Pu’u Kahuauli (Bowman).

Bowman Summit

Chef Suzuki cooking up his signature steak in the mountains. More butter and medium rare please.

Bowman Summit

Secondhand smoke. Psychoactive collateral damage?

KSRT

Traversing between summits, as we left Kahuauli (Bowman) and headed towards the summits of Kaho’omoe ‘ihikapulani (Tripler) and Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe (Stairway).

KSRT

Climbing up the hill as we left the defunct relay station behind us.

KSRT

Are we on Moanalua Middle Ridge? The ruts that serve as the paths of least resistance for water erosion and foot travel have taken its toll on the landscape.

Stairway to Heaven

This is where I asked AI to step in and construct what a hike past this point would look like given the current conditions surrounding this controversial and iconic symbol.

Stairway to Heaven

Roger had never stepped foot before on Haiku Stairs. Thanks to AI, he can now say he was on part of the 3,922 steps that make up the storied stairway.

Stairway to Heaven

AI showing us going down to the first platform behind the CCL building.

Stairway to Heaven

This is what one of the detached modules looks like according to AI.

Stairway to Heaven

AI rendering of our group on the last platform before the trail descends down into Moanalua Saddle.

Stairway to Heaven

I think there was a glitch in the AI as it showed me on the grassy slope instead of on the stairs. Still got some bugs to work out.

Stairway to Heaven

Roger can thank AI for showing him on both sides of the stairs.

Stairway to Heaven

This is what AI thinks Stairway to Heaven looks like. Close but no cigar.

Stairway to Heaven

AI will have to generate new deepfake photos when the stairs are finally relegated to the dustbin of history.

Stairway to Heaven

I asked for an AI rendering of heaven at the top. Nothing is perfect.

KSRT

Retracing our steps, as we hiked back to the summit of Bowman. Not going to lie, that was more exhausting than we had originally thought it was going to be.

Bowman Trail

We left the KSRT as we took the trail off the summit.

Bowman Trail

Passing through the extremely wet environment that dominated this particular patch in the mountains.

Bowman Trail

Finding our way as it was extremely overgrown at the top. Ribbons and faint paths helped us to get back on the trail.

Bowman Trail

Switch backing our way down the side of the mountain with ropes that have probably been there as long as the mountain itself. Slight exaggeration.

Bowman Trail

Can you see the face for the mountain?

Commando Shortcut

Going down the spur ridge pioneered by the hardy folks at HTMC.

Kalihi Valley

We followed the trail of bottles and sound of motor vehicles to find our way out of the tropical valley that borders northern Honolulu.

Likelike Highway

Broke out of the valley and took a rest on the highway that was first built in 1954 and fully open to the public in 1968.

Likelike Highway

Thanks to Agnes for picking us up on the side of the highway with drinks and snacks.

All pau

“You guys wasn’t the one that posted the picture?” “This morning?” “You guys went post a pic of the popo and stuff like that? Thats you guys eh?” “I get the picture right here.” It’s always nice to be recognized in public. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where the food order did not match the food delivery.

Photos taken by Agnes Bryant, Akira Suzuki, Roger Schiffman, Tessa Bugay, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order. Congrats to Roger for making his first saddle look like a piece of cake and the rest of the group for the always fun company.

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.

I had lost something valuable coming down the unscheduled stairs descent last week and went back on a rescue and recover hike. Met up with Aida, Katie and Quan who agreed to join me.

Stairway to Heaven

The rain was coming down in sheets as we embarked up the stairs in the wee hours. Perfect hiking weather. Somebody questioned our sanity.

Stairway to Heaven

Cardio climbing up the rain slicked stairs. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Stairway to Heaven

Passing the hoist house. Almost there.

Stairway to Heaven

We can see the CCL building for the rain. Photo by Aida Gordon.

CCL Building

Boiling up hot ramen noodles for breakfast. Photo by Katie Bingham.

CCL Building

Disappointed that I was unable to recover my valuables, we took a group picture in the cold rain.

Stairway to Heaven

Aida and Quan headed back down the stairs due to the inclement weather.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Katie and I struck out in the direction of the saddles hoping the weather would clear. Hoping against hope.

Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe

Heading down the mud slicked trail. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KSRT

Descending towards the defunct radar station. We observed the no climbing signs. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KSRT

Katie passing the powerlines on the trail.

KSRT

Still looking for that ray of sunshine. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Tripler Summit

The painted rock has left the summit.

Bowman Trail

Heading down on the six mile trail that we would cut short. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bowman Trail

Katie passing through the mossy wetland on top of the mountain. Similar to Kaala, just missing the boardwalk.

Bowman Trail

Practicing the long lost art of water milking. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bowman Trail

Descending from the 2,740′ summit of Pu’u Kahuauli.

Bowman Trail

Switch backing our way down the “face” of Bowman. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Bowman Trail

The only company we had on the ridge were the highway noises coming from Likelike Highway.

Bowman Trail

The rain subsided so we cooked up some more ramen and miso soup.

Kalihi Saddle

Clearing up. Missed opportunities. The mountains will always be there. Keep repeating and believing that.

Commando Trail

Going down the trail on the spur ridge that HTMC pioneered. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Commando Trail

Katie coming down the trail with the “face” of Bowman in the background.

Commando Trail

Can you see the hikers for the tree?

Commando Trail

The rain came back to pay us a visit.

Commando Trail

If a hiker falls down in the forest, does he make a sound? Yes, especially if he’s barking like a dog to scare off pigs heard in the forest. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Commando Trail

Climbing over trees as we followed the highway sounds to help us exit the valley.

All pau

Sticking out your thumb seems to work better than flashing your phone lights in catching a ride. Thanks to Quan for picking us up. No post hike meal as no restaurants were open.

GPS Tracks

Our 4.12 mile hike went through heaven and somewhere in between. Thanks to Aida and Quan for coming up the stairs and Katie for sticking it out in the rain. No post hike meal as everybody had food waiting at home.

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.

Our goal today was the Swirling Heavens of Lanihuli, but we had to settle for the crackling power lines instead. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Commando Trail

Mahalo to Jasmin for dropping Bill, Chris, Ferlino, Yoly and myself off on the side of the highway where we then plunged into the forest flatlands.

Commando Trail

We got turned around a bit in the canopied forest as the ribbons soon vanished and then we found these carved tree markings which helped us to get back on track.

Commando Trail

Once we got to the “wallaby” rocks, we were within sweating distance of the spur ridge.

Commando Trail

Thrashing our way up the uluhe infested ridge line.

Commando Trail

Passing underneath a tree bent by the hand of mother nature or man. Photo by Chris Bautista

Bowman Trail

Approaching the “face” of Bowman.

Bowman Trail

Making our way up the steep switch backs. Photo by Chris Bautista

Bowman Trail

Catching the ridge, valley and ocean views as far as the eye can see.

Bowman Bog

Approaching the wetland that sits on top of Pu’u Kahuauli.

Bowman Bog

One of several spiderwebs scattered throughout the trees, that seemed to be collecting more dew drops than insects. Photo by Chris Bautista

Bowman Bog

If you’re not careful as well, the sucking mud plucks shoes from unsuspecting hikers feet.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Cresting the top of the ridge line as we began our descent down into the saddle.

KSRT

Collecting our group together before we headed down the crumbly and narrow ridge line. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kalihi Saddle

Bill getting his first taste of the saddle life.

Dirty Slide

Ferlino going down a rope that has been secured to a dead tree for who knows how long. The power of faith. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Contouring our way back to the ridge line as Bill checked his fitbit to see if he made his daily step count.

Broken Wave

You do know I have 50 pounds over you?

Rock Triangle

Yoly climbing down the Leeward side of the first rock triangle.

Kalihi Saddle

Impromptu group photo on the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista

Kalihi Saddle

Making our way over a denuded section of the ridge line.

Rock Triangle

Bill climbing down the Windward side of the second rock triangle.

Kalihi Saddle

Ferlino and Yoly going over one of several humps on the ridge line during our descent. Photo by Chris Bautista

Tabletop

Are we having fun yet? Can we go home already?

Kalihi Saddle

Look ma! No hands. Photo by Chris Bautista

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back at our steep descent from the top of Bowman.

Paraglider photobomber

Random trail observation. Does the para glider and hiker wish to trade places at this particular moment in time?

Kalihi Saddle

Scrambling our way down to the dip before the last main obstacle on the ridge line.

Kalihi Saddle

Back for the views. Photo by Bill Yogi

Witch’s Hat

We are contouring that, right? There is no contour. Flashbacks from another hike where somebody kept asking me that.

Witch’s Hat

Climbing up the front side. Not as bad as it looks.

Mavic 2

Bill didn’t just carry 32 ounces on his back for nothing. Some thing was flying off the mountain.

Witch’s Hat

Drone photo by Bill Yogi, left to right: Chris, Bill, Yoly, myself and Ferlino.

Witch’s Hat

Climbing down the backside of Witch’s Hat, which was named by legendary hiker Pete Cline.

Kalihi Saddle

Leaving all the hard parts behind us.

Powerlines Trail

Attempted to check out the HECO power lines and then thought better of it. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

All pau

Our taste of the saddle hike ended up prematurely cut, but everybody had fun. I think everybody had fun. Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up again. Post hike meal at Chao Phya Thai. Family style. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

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.

Back in the saddle. Met up with Chris, Ethan, Khym and Scott in Kaneohe.

Trailhead

Thanks to Scott’s friend, Alvin, for dropping us off on the side of the highway.

Kalihi Valley

Looking for wallabies …

Kalihi Valley

… deep in the valley. I think we found some. Rather large ones. Let’s keep our distance.

Commando Trail

Shout out to HTMC for clearing this shortcut to the Bowman trail.

Commando Trail

Chris hanging around. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Commando Trail

We are not alone. We are not pigs.

Commando Trail

Scott making his way up the short and steep spur ridge.

Commando Trail

End of the cleared and defined trail. What is everybody looking at?

Commando Trail

Oh, the view. Kodak moment.

Bowman Trail

The “face” of Bowman.

Bowman Trail

Looking up at two moons. Which one is brighter? Photo by Scott Bowling.

Bowman Trail

Topping out at the “face” of Bowman. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Bowman Trail

Scott walking through the dewy bog at the top.

Bowman Summit

Group photo at the 2,740′ socked in summit of Pu’u Kahuauli (Bowman), left to right: Scott, Ethan, myself, Khym and Chris. Where are you going? That way? No, this way. Wanna bet?

KSRT

No plucking of the flowers. We already got clouds. Don’t need rain as well.

KSRT

Time to put on our spikes and gloves for those so inclined. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

KSRT

Dropping down into the clouds. Photo by Scott Bowling.

Kalihi Saddle

Khym making his way along the fractured ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Scooting over the crumbly rocks. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Psst, it’s this way. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Khym and Scott coming around and down the crumbly hill.

Kalihi Saddle

Got webbing? Inside joke. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Scott making his way down the slippery slope.

Kalihi Saddle

Clouds, clouds go away. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Please don’t kick any rocks my way. Thank you. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

The shaka brothers making their first appearance at the top.

Kalihi Saddle

Ethan barreling down the broken dirt wave. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Windward views.

Kalihi Saddle

Khym making his way down the first rock triangle.

Kalihi Saddle

How Scott deals with OCD behavior. “I hear you Khym. I’m just ignoring you.”

Kalihi Saddle

Making our way past the overhang. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

What a view! Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

What’s up?

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Khym scooting down the crumbly rocky ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

One hand on the ridge and one hand for the shaka. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Scott coming down the second rock triangle, as the shaka brothers make another appearance.

Kalihi Saddle

Valley views.

Kalihi Saddle

Leaving behind the second rock triangle.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking out to the clear summit of Lanihuli.

Kalihi Saddle

The group coming down tabletop rock. We found a cut or discarded rope at the base.

Kalihi Saddle

Crossing the mini-saddle. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

The group coming down the skinny ridgeline.

Kalihi Saddle

The Silence of the Saddles. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Thinking. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

The group making their way along a narrow dike section.

Kalihi Saddle

Making our way down the crumbly ridgeline. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back.

Kalihi Saddle

Climbing up Witch’s Hat. Photo by Khym Ansagay.

Kalihi Saddle

Contour? Where we’re going, we don’t need contours. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Kalihi Saddle

Khym pulling himself up.

Kalihi Saddle

Group photo on top of Witch’s Hat.

Kalihi Saddle

Coming down the backside of Witch’s Hat. We found another cut or discarded rope at the base.

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there. Really. Photo by Ethan Clavecillas.

Kalihi Saddle

Goodbye Bowman, until next time.

Powerlines Trail

Last group photo.

Powerlines Trail

Making our way back down to the valley floor.

Powerlines Trail

Somebody left the gate open.

Kalihi Valley

Chris and Khym seeking shelter from the hot sun.

Kalihi Valley

Thanks again to Alvin for picking us up on the side of the highway.

All pau

Our breezy ride back to the Windward side.

GPS Tracks

Our short saddle hike covered a scant 3.64 miles over crumbly ridgelines with a great group. Post hike meal at Dean’s Drive Inn. Food tastes better when it’s free. Sorry about the beer. That’s what you get when you ask a non-drinker.

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.

I met up with Matt and Thessa deep in the heart of mini-marsupial country.

Trailhead

Matt and Thessa going down the electric road. Thanks to David Kwong for dropping off us in style. German style.

Kalihi Valley

Route 63 slicing through the edge.

Sunrise

We caught a nice sunrise sandwiched between the clouds and mountains.

Deja Vu

Back in the saddle. Again. It was cold and windy. Time to put my beanie and sweater on. Safety first.

Kalihi Saddle

We left the power lines to contour around the knob.

Kalihi Saddle

Matt and Thessa making their way up the hump.

Kalihi Saddle

Thessa and myself on the hump. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Making my way up the saddle. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Thessa coming down Witch’s Hat.

Kalihi Saddle

It was a nice and breezy day to be on the saddle. The wind could have been dialed down just a tad.

Kalihi Saddle

Matt and Thessa coming down Sailor’s Hat. I just made that up.

Kalihi Saddle

Hey, is this rope clear? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Matt making his way up.

Kalihi Saddle

The photographer being photographed. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Where? There! We saw two hikers coming up behind us on the saddle.

Kalihi Saddle

Matt brushed past me to answer the call of nature. The fermented smell of kim chee and bolgogi hit the air like a taekwondo kick. Sucked to be downwind.

Kalihi Saddle

The last known sighting of the saddle “wave.”

Kalihi Saddle

Matt shooting the curl.

Kalihi Saddle

Thessa closing out the wave.

Kalihi Saddle

One step forward. Two steps back. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Spikes and upper body strength recommended on this crumbly section.

Kalihi Saddle

In the brown room, before somebody *ahem* closes it out. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalihi Saddle

Thessa coming around the last crumbly section.

Panoramic view

Windward view.

KSRT

Traversing to Pu’u Kahuauli (Bowman) summit with Tripler Ridge and Haiku Stairs in the background.

KSRT

Looking back at one of the false peaks that eclipsed our view of the saddle.

Bowman summit

Group photo at the top looking down towards Bowman Windward, left to right: myself, Matt and Thessa.

Bowman summit

The two hikers that were trailing us, happened to be part of a larger group. They were the “goats” of the group. Group photo by Matt Vidaurri, left to right: myself, Steve, Paul and Thessa.

Bowman trail

We had a short lunch at the summit sunning ourselves. When it was time to leave the summit, Paul and Steve decided to join us going down the Commando trial.

Bowman trail

Thessa in the bog.

Bowman trail

Switch backing down the mountain.

Bowman trail

A clear day on the Waianae Mountain Range.

Bowman trail

Matt and Thessa coming down the “face” of Bowman.

Commando trail

Paul and Steve heading down the Commando trail, a spur ridge pioneered by HTMC. Thanks to Lonnie Hammack for the information and tracks on this trail.

Commando trail

The trail was a nice shortcut from the Bowman trail. Probably shaved at least five miles.

Commando trail

Looking back at Kalihi Saddle as we made our way down to the valley floor.

Commando trail

Civilization sighted. Matt and Thessa were still off in the woods, trying to find those elusive wallabies.

All pau

We parted ways with Paul and Steve who had their own arranged pick up. Mahalo to David for picking us up again.

GPS Tracks

Our saddle hike covered a scant three miles. Post hike meal at Au’s Garden. It was the least we could do to eat at David’s restaurant since he dropped and picked us up. Craving Chinese food? Chow down at Au’s Garden in Kalihi. Then crave again 30 minutes later.

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.