Aiea Ridge to Stairway to Heaven

by kenji SAITO on October 4, 2020

Hiking Aiea Ridge to Stairway to Heaven

Some of us went to Hell and some of us went to Heaven today. Some of us got two for the price of one. Just depended on how much sweat and tears one wanted to pay for the price of admission.

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea Loop Trail

Thanks to Quan and Lilyn for dropping Jennifer, Katie, Tessa and myself off at the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area where only campers and chickens populated the park.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Looking towards all the ridges that connect to the Ko’olau Mountain Range. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Nobody was edited out of this photo.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Traversing the open saddle. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Pu'u Kawipo'o

Pu’u Kawipo’o

Enjoying the scenic views from the 2,441′ hill. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Basking in the manmade and natural views.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

A lot of sign waving was going on, I just wanted to make my mama saimin.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

Taking out the trash and possibly releasing my frustration on somebody that was not here to share the load. LOL.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the 2,805′ summit. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking back at all the Windward valleys with their ridges and peaks.

KSRT

KSRT

Hiking on the windswept ridge with views of Kaneohe Bay ahead of us. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

KSRT

We contoured around the protected plant enclosure where some of us almost got blown down into the valley.

KSRT

KSRT

This valley, that had stunning views stretching all the way as far as H3 snaking through Halawa Valley.

KSRT

KSRT

Working our way back towards the ridge.

KSRT

KSRT

Going up and down false peaks that delayed the scenic gratification. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

KSRT

Almost there, just past this small peak. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KSRT

KSRT

Going down the grassy ridge with sweeping views. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

KSRT

Welcome to Hell. May your stay be a pleasant one.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

The best stairway view. Hands down. You just have to work a little harder for these views.

KSRT

KSRT

Panoramic view as we left Hell.

KSRT

KSRT

Jenn going down the stairs that Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming. Photo by Katie Bingham.

KSRT

KSRT

The girls making their way along the rusted cable. Everybody’s tetanus shots are up to date?

KSRT

KSRT

Climbing up what’s left of the last stair section that is slowly rusting away. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

KSRT

Leaving hell behind us as we warmed up. Quite the contradiction. Photo by Jennifer LaRochelle.

KSRT

KSRT

Traversing the ridge line with spectacular views of the valleys and mountains around us. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

KSRT

KSRT

Our ending destination as framed by the rusty geodic marker.

KSRT

KSRT

We found two things on the ridge today, one was anticipated and the other was unexpected. I found somebody’s black jacket with camera inside that was returned to its rightful owner. Katie found or perhaps, roughly 30 bees found her and left a stinging impression. Props to her for keeping her head and not panicking and running off the ridge. My webbing didn’t reach that far. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Red Hill Summit

Red Hill Summit

Anybody got benadryl? The swelling and itching would come later. Photo by Jennifer LaRochelle.

KSRT

KSRT

Leaving the summit for crumbly ridges. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Scooting our way down the crumbly edge of the cliff.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Passing the small meadow on our left as we descended down the ridge. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Katie and Tessa climbing their way down.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way through a patch of trees. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Jenn lowering herself down slowly the crumbly section.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Uki grass is your constant companion and friend in the mountains. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa on the scenic rock. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Katie coming down the rocky ridge line. Photo by Jennifer LaRochelle.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Are we supposed to be contouring or climbing?

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The girls coming down the last hill on the Western half of the saddle.

Kulana'ahane Summit

Kulana’ahane Summit

It was the end of the road for Jenn and Katie as they went down to the valley floor. Kudos to Jenn for working through her anxiety of doing cross overs. She handled the ridges like a champ. Our group still grew in size with the addition of Aida, Ed, Lilyn and Sally who met us at the top. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Kulana'ahane Summit

Kulana’ahane Summit

Group photo left to right: Lilyn, Sally, Aida, Tessa, me, Jenn, Katie and Ed. Photo by Sally Chow.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Starting our climb up the Eastern half of the saddle. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

My webbing stayed in the pack this time around. Photo by Sally Chow.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Lilyn contouring on the Windward side. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Aida pulling herself back up to the ridge line. Photo by Sally Chow.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way down the exposed and eroded ridge line. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Panoramic view of the valley and mountains. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Looking back to see that Matt had caught up with us from the valley floor. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Sally on the contour with views of Moanalua Valley.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Climbing up the biggest obstacle on the saddle. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Lilyn pulling herself up. Photo by Sally Chow.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Ed making short work of the rocks. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group slowly making their way up the saddle to make room for the others that were coming up from the contour climb. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

There are humans up there! I’m glad Sally pointed that out, otherwise I might have confused them with aliens or animals. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa coming up the crumbliest section of the saddle. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

We also met up with two other hikers who patiently waited for our group to ascend before they could descend. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Sally going up the short and tricky climb with the help of some dental floss. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa pulling herself up with the last rope on the saddle. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Lilyn stretching her glutues maximus to pull herself up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

We took a leisurely break at the first landing, did calisthenics, munched on moon cake and chilled due to delays at our bottom connection.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Tessa climbing up the ladder. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Having fun on the stairs. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Perhaps too much fun.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Sally going up the backside to the world famous attraction that is still bound in purgatory as to its fate. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Matt coming up the hill where the stairs was replaced with a rusted cable. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group approaching the CCL building. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Sally climbing her way up to Heaven. Photo by Ed Valdez.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

Group photo by Matt Vidaurri in Heaven.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

No feces was actually dropped in the making of this photo. Nor did anybody actually get blown away. We also had to take the most direct route down as some of the group had problems with their IT bands and to preclude any medical rescues, we were forced to take the off limits stairs down. Hiking disclaimer.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Leaving Heaven behind us with heavenly views ahead of us. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Lilyn’s jump shot. Not a trampoline jump. Close enough. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Sally coming down the stairs while others had their photographic moments being taken. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Approaching the hoist house where somebody was already droning out. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Hoist House

Hoist House

Getting buzzed, in a good way and not a stinging way.

Hoist House

Hoist House

Stemming, sitting and standing.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Waiting for the rest of the group at one of five landings. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

One way traffic coming down the stairs. Photo by Sally Chow.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Approaching the last landing that interrupts the 3,922 steps to Heaven. This landing also temporarily hosted a trampoline that was brought and built and dismantled all in one day by a creative group several months ago. While they received a lot of flak and hate, I fall in the minority and heartily applauded their achievement. Nothing was disturbed on the man-made structure, nobody got hurt and people had fun. Just my two cents. Photo by Sally Chow.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Going down the stairs as it lead us underneath the engineering marvel known as the H3 freeway. Photo by Sally Chow.

All pau

All pau

Somebody needs to call the City & County and let them know of this potential tripping hazard. Photo by Aida Gordon.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our bookended stairways traversal covered over 9.4 miles through hell, purgatory and heaven. Another fun adventure with good friends in the books. It was Ed and Sally’s first time on this saddle and they hiked it like it was an old friend. Thanks to Allison for driving us back to our cars. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where we were seated with the gay husband and family under the same roof. Oxtail soup was still on the menu. Hot soup does a body good.

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our Moanalua Saddle hike.

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.

Leave a Comment

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Aida Gordon November 10, 2020 at 5:16 pm

So much fun!.Thanks for taking Sally and Ed up the east saddle. Congrats to Jenn for handling the western end so bravely! I hope by now Katie’s bee atings have all healed. 30!!!. Can’t imagine!

Reply

kenji SAITO November 13, 2020 at 10:04 am

Aloha Aida,
Yes that was a day filled with fun. A lot of things were going on for different people, glad it all worked out in the end.
Mahalo

Reply

Wahinee01 November 12, 2020 at 11:45 am

Fun, fun hike except the “bees” part ( lol ) with awesome peeps. Thank you for documenting as always!

Reply

kenji SAITO November 13, 2020 at 10:04 am

Aloha Tessa,
Yup super fun hike, could have done with out the stingers. Thanks for coming as always!
Mahalo

Reply

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