Back in the saddles this weekend. Turns out we didn’t get as much plurals as we wanted.

Moanalua Valley

Met up with Art and Tessa at the sea of beauty where the pitter patter of rain was our only company. We could have either dribbled our way up to the ridge or walked down the valley. We chose the latter option. Art wanted a reunion with the spiritual side.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Early morning hikers greeted the early morning campers.

Kulana’ahane Junction

Art testing the waters, lest we get swept away in a freak flash flood.

Godek-Jaskulski Trail

Just follow the glove when in doubt.

Godek-Jaskulski Trail

Preparing to go up the somewhat pitched slope carpeted with dead leaves and exposed roots. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Godek-Jaskulski Trail

We must be in the uluhe zone.

Godek-Jaskulski Trail

Reaching the junction where the trail intersects with the Red Hill ridge trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Red Hill Ridge

We soon roused two campers from their slumber. Turned out to be Justin and Matt from Uloha. Small world.

Red Hill Summit

Going up and down the seemingly endless false summits before cloud soaked views of the Windward coastline greeted us.

First Aid 101

Tessa tending to her shin injury under the watchful eye of Art.

Moanalua Saddle

Descending the Western half of the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Going down the slightly eroded ridgeline with flanking views of Halawa Valley and beyond. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Art and Tessa making their way down the somewhat slippery rocks.

Moanalua Saddle

Hikers in staggered elevation drops. Photo by Art Young.

Moanalua Saddle

Contouring and climbing our way down through the denuded spots on the ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa following the flow of gravity down the saddle. Photo by Art Young.

Moanalua Saddle

Art running down the dirt corridor bracketed with uluhe ferns. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Tessa taking in the windy scenery. Photo by Art Young.

Moanalua Saddle

Ascending the Eastern half of the saddle. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Art coming up the Windward side of the ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Dirt Triangle

Climbing up the Leeward side of the ridge. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Dirt Triangle

Tessa pulling herself up while Art waits his turn at the bottom.

Moanalua Saddle

Waiting in the wind. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa climbing to the top of the assorted boulder section.

Moanalua Saddle

Scampering our way up while keeping our a low profile as the winds rocked the crumbly rocks underfoot. Photo by Art Young.

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing up the crumbly rockface.

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa contouring her way around the heavily eroded section.

Moanalua Saddle

Chilling at the first landing. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Looking back at the entire Moanalua Saddle. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Can you hear the wind blow, and did you know your stairway lies on the whispering wind? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Art making his way to the last landing.

Stairway to Heaven

So, this is what heaven looks like? Covered with concrete, teeming with people and covered in clouds. Photo by Mike Karas.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Traversing the short, muddy stretch between summits.

Pu’u Keahi a Kahoe

We met up with one of several guides that were taking their paid charges up the trail. I think I need to re-evaluate my nickel business model.

KSRT

Dropping down to the defunct radar tower. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

View of the climber. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

View of the non-climbers. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

Leaving the climbing gym behind us. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

Approaching the two sets of powerline towers.

Tripler Summit

Relaxing and enjoying the panoramic views at the 2,760′ flat-topped peak. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

Roller coasting our way to the next peak. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Bowman Summit

Leeward view from the 2,740 top.

KSRT

When the photographic proof doesn’t match the dramatic visualization. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

Descending down from the clouds. I thought we left heaven behind us already?

Kalihi Saddle

Scooting and sliding our way down the narrow and crumbly ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

When climbing is preferable to contouring the obstacle.

Kalihi Saddle

Scampering along the sliding ledge. Photo by Art Young.

Dirty Slide

We found out that somebody had moved the anchor to a more solid group of trees. Mahalo! Photo by Art Young.

Dirty Slide

Tessa looking back as Art makes the climb down which offers a steeper drop than before.

Broken Wave

Was somebody having a pang of nostalgia? Photo by Art Young.

Broken Wave

Watching out for falling rocks, big and small.

Rock Triangle

Climbing down the rockface. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Rock Triangle

Watching Art making his way down. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Hot Wheel Tracks

Mr. Lonely. Just missing the tree. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Tessa slowly spiking her way down the eroded section.

Rock Triangle

Going down the Windward side. Photo by Art Young.

Rock Triangle

Tessa looking for her next foothold.

Kalihi Saddle

Picking our footholds very carefully on the sliver of a ridgeline. Photo by Art Young.

Tabletop

Looking for her next scrap of a foothold.

Kalihi Saddle

Hiking on the edge. Literally. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

It’s always hump day in the mountains.

Kalihi Saddle

Striking a pose. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Who’s gonna take my photo? Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Witch’s Hat

Climbing up the conical shaped rockface. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking back as Art makes his way down the steep and narrow ridgeline. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Witch’s Hat

Tessa giving thanks for our safe passage through the mountains.

Witch’s Hat

Looking back at the now not so conical shaped rockface.

Powerlines

Climbing down to the powerlines and our exit out through the valley. Photo by Art Young.

All pau

Mahalo to Lilyn for picking us up and dropping us back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Our saddles hike covered roughly 8.3 miles through crumbly ridges and spectacular scenic vistas. Great hike with good friends. Post hike meal at Pho Le. Somebody said they had the best spring rolls. Maybe they need to get out more. Just saying.

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.

I decided to give the KST thru hike another try; if I knew what the outcome was going to be, I would have stayed home in bed. Joining me were Chris and Matt; Anne and Clayton came along just for the first day.

Trailhead

Thanks to Daryl for dropping us off at the Makapu’u Lookout. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Trail

Making our way up the dry grassy rocky landscape. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Manana Island

Looking out towards the seabird sanctuary.

Trail

We soon caught up with another pair of hikers who let us pass them.

Pu’u Mai

Staring straight into the fringed female parts.

Sea Life Park

The sun shimmering across the blue-green water. It almost made up for missing the sunrise.

KSRT

Small kine climbing time. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Makapu’u Puka

Group photo left to right: Clayton, myself, Anne, Matt and Chris.

Makapu’u Puka

Hello from the other side. Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KSRT

Time to pack away the drone and continue hiking on the rocky ridge line.

Makapu’u Cave

Chris chilling in the cave.

KSRT

Climbing our way up on the makai side of the cliffs. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Waimanalo

When you notice the geodetic marker for the first time, despite hiking over this area too many times too count.

To tee or not to tee

Not only hang gliders fly from here, but rocks as well.

Boost

Leaving behind the fenced communication tower.

KSRT

Dropping down into the saddle.

KSRT

Looking for some shady trees.

Kamiloiki Summit

It was an awesome day at the summit, no camping needed. Drone photo by Matt Vidaurri.

KSRT

Walking on the pine needle matted ridge line.

KSRT

Leaving our canopy cover for a stretch of exposed ridge line. Luckily the clouds were providing cover from the sweltering sun.

Caveman proving grounds

No unnecessary climbing today.

KSRT

Brushing our way through shoulder high buffalo grass. Scratch and itch.

Tom-Tom

Watching an isolated rain cloud sweep the Waimanalo coast.

Dorito’s Tower

Clayton and Matt checking out the rock tower reportedly first climbed by a hiker named Rito.

KSRT

Back in the forested ridge line.

Mariner’s Summit

It worked for me as a kid, how come it doesn’t work now? I want my money back. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Mariner’s Summit

Climbing down from the 1,361′ summit of Kaluanui. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Hahaione Pyramid

Contouring our way behind the roughly triangular shaped rock, depending on your point of perspective.

Scenic point

Talk story time.

Hahaione Junction

Club head + hiking stick = Golf club.

KSRT

Matt looking back at the stretch of mountains that we had just covered.

Kuli’ou’ou Summit

We parted company with Anne, Clayton and Matt at the 2,360′ summit due to cramping and work calling.

KSRT

Chris climbing up the severely eroded section after leaving the bustling summit.

Bear Claw Ridge

No time to go left or right, just straight ahead. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Scenic spot

Chris against the backdrop of the fluted flanks of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Pu’u O Kona Summit

Leaving the 2,200′ summit for cloudy views.

Hawaii Loa Summit

Nobody else here at the 2,520′ summit.

KSRT

Back on the cloudy ridge line.

KSRT

What happened to the partly sunny day forecasted by Guy Hagi? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I think it’s been more than twice.

Camp Wiliwilinui

We arrived at the 2,480′ summit to find that another couple had beaten us to call it home for the night. Luckily we were able to squeeze our two tents in with theirs. Thought we were in for a night of socializing, but they zippered up their tent as I guess our odor was particularly offensive. It could have been our manners.

KSRT

Day 2 – Rolled up our tents as our neighbors were still sleeping and we continued hiking in the clouds.

Ka’inawa’au Nui Summit

I guess we are in for another day of whiteout views.

KSRT

Dropping down the big hill to valley views of milkiness.

Ka’au Crater

Rocket ship ready to take off and leave the clouds behind. Wished we could have joined.

KSRT

Chris pointing to the cloud covered summit of Awaawaloa.

KSRT

Climbing my way up through the clouds to the 2,486′ summit. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Mount Olympus

The water is safe to drink up here.

Manoa Valley

Valley vistas improved significantly on the contour trail. Photo by Chris Bautista.

KSRT

Back on the cloudy again ridge line. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Manoa Middle Summit

We shared the summit with the HTMC trail clearing crew that had come up from Manoa Valley.

KSRT

The grassy meadows hiding the many false summits before we hit the crown jewels of the Ko’olau Mountains.

KSRT

Are we there yet? Photo by Chris Bautista.

K2

We crashed a wine and cheese party in progress. Came too late for the cheese. Just have to use our imagination.

Konahuanui Summit

Typical socked in summit day on the highest point of the Ko’olau Mountains.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Making my way down the mud wall. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Nu’uanu Saddle

We slowly started to see the views again.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Leaving the clouds behind on the wind swept ridge line. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Following the webbing down the ridge line.

Chimney

Climbing down the chimney. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Pali Notches

Leaving the chimney behind us as we made our way towards the notches. Never say never. Photo by Arnold Yago.

Pali Notches

We spotted a familiar face on the second notch. Arnold!

Pali Lookout

Trying to blend in with the tourists. Photo by Arnold Yago.

Camp Pali

Mahalo to Arnold Yago, Daryl Cacatian and Nina Arca, Matt Vidaurri, Owen and Tricia Adams and Shirley Hamamura for bringing us refreshing beverages and hot food and keeping us company.

Pali Lookout

Day 3 – We woke up to the pitter patter of rain and gloomy weather that was hanging around the mountains. I know some of our friends thought we would have to call it on account of the weather and bail from our hike. But somebody said “we chance ‘em.” So off we went. Photo by Daryl Cacatian.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Contouring up the slippery rocks, we soon regained the ridge.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Rainbows are ones reward for hiking in the rain. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Nu’uanu Saddle

No swinging around the rain slicked rocks today, just careful climbing.

Donkey Kong

Making our way to the triple diked formation.

W

Clear on the Leeward side, cloudy on the Windward side.

Anvil

Chris dropping down from the anvil rock.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Lost and found on the mountain – one spike and one spike only.

Lanihuli Summit

Temporary views were granted to us at the 2,700′ elevation.

Kalihi Saddle

Descending down from the swirling heavens. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris standing on a knob overlooking the cloud filtered views of the Windward side.

Dirt Dragon

Riding the dirt dragon or what’s left of it.

Lanihuli Wall

Preparing to walk down the wall of uki grass.

Lanihuli Wall

Contouring around the can opener.

Lanihuli Wall

Making my way down the last tier of the wall. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Can Opener

Keeping a watchful eye on the sofa sized chunk of rock that looks ready to fall off the mountain.

Pimple

Carefully making my way around the crumbly rock, so I don’t do any popping. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Doorstop

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Hike. Hike who?

Bunny Ears

Rabbit. Rabbit. Rabbit. Oh never mind, it’s not the first day of the month.

Bunny Ears

Bunny earing myself coming down. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Approaching the power lines.

Witch’s Hat

No refreshing rest at the power lines as we continued up the backside of the hat.

Witch’s Hat

Making my way down from the hat. No trick or treat for me. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Uphill climb ahead of us. Photo by Chris Bautista.

#1 Rock Triangle

Climbing up the Windward side is the best side.

#2 Rock Triangle

Have rope, will climb.

Broken Wave

Getting my head out of the clouds. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Dirty Slide

Climbing back into the clouds. Can’t win. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Scrambling our way to the Bowman summit and our home for the night.

Camp Bowman

Day 4 – Waking up to long john feet. Always appetizing. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Camp Bowman

Getting ready for another cloudy and windy day in the mountains.

KSRT

The winds were pushing us around on the ridge line. Luckily it blew in from the Windward side. We would have been in trouble if it was blowing from the other side.

Tripler Summit

Rocket men and rocket ships in the clouds.

KSRT

Walking down the cloudy castle steps. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Relay station

Climbing past the no climbing relay station.

Stairway to Heaven

What happened to everybody? We had the place all to ourselves. I wonder why.

CCL Building

Trying to get warm in heaven. Photo by Chris Bautista

Moanalua Saddle

Leaving heaven as we went down the back stairs.

Moanalua Saddle

Chris using his kung fu grip going down the crumbly section.

Moanalua Saddle

Making my way around the increasingly eroded ridge of the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Dirt Triangle

Going down the Leeward side of the triangle offered us a temporary reprieve from the gusting winds.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Mahalo to Matt for meeting us with cold bentos and drinks in the middle of the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

We soon said our goodbyes to Matt and resumed our hiking. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

The winds and clouds were not giving us a break today.

Moanalua Saddle

Making my way down the constantly eroding ridge line. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Geo marker

Checking in with social media.

Tetanus Stairs

Descending down into hell.

Stairway to Hell

It was quite cold in this spot of the mountains. Time to quickly move on.

KSRT

If there were a speed limit on the ridge, laws would have been broken today. The law of balance. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Fenced meadows

Passing the fenced endemic plant section on our way to the summit of Aiea and home sweet home for the night. No dinner for me.

Aiea Summit

Day 5 – We woke up to more bad weather and my body in severe caloric deficit. Not to mention that my tent had somehow flipped upside down with me still in it. My stomach just quit on me again and my body soon followed.

Aiea Ridge Trail

After mulling it over for the better half of the day and with the weather and my stomach not getting any better, we left the summit to head back down to civilization. Sorry Chris. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Aiea Ridge Trail

At least the weather improved on our way back down, couldn’t say the same for my stomach. Photo by Chris Bautista

Aiea Ridge Trail

I was beaten like a rented mule. Dizzy and light headed, I had to frequently stop to right myself coming down the ridge. Photo by Chris Bautista

All pau

Thanks to Lopaka for meeting us at the end and bringing food and taking us back to our cars. Mahalo to Chris for keeping me company in the mountains and everybody else that supported us on the hike.

GPS Tracks

Our gastrointestinal interruptus hike covered 24.61 miles through the sometimes clear, cloudy, rainy and windy Ko’olau Mountains. While we did not get to “penish” to the end, glad for the company from beginning to the end. Big thanks to my wife for letting me try this again, I don’t think I’ll be back. Post hike meal in the parking lot, KFC is what’s for dinner.

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.