Palindrome Hike (Aiea Loop Trail to Kulana’ahane)

Today was the first global palindrome date in 909 years and it was also the day that the San Franciscos 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs played it out in the 54th Superbowl. We were just planning to pay a visit to Hell. Thanks to Caroline and Lonnie for picking Aida, Art, Dale, Katie, Lilyn, and myself up in Moanalua Valley and dropping off us at the Keaiwa Heiau State Park to start our hike. I also found out that I was undercharging for my hikes as we bumped into a group at Moanalua Valley and the “guide” was charging $165 a pop to take people up to Stairway to Heaven. And here I am only charging a nickel. Obviously I am a product of the public school system. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

We stepped foot on the trail whose air was fragrantly scented from the eucalyptus trees.

Trying to catch the breaking sunrise.

We stamped out and watered down a still smoldering fire left from possible hunters, before connecting to the ridge trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Stopping at the landslide that time took its toll. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Katie and Dale climbing along the ridges ups and downs. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

It’s a little known fact that plastic dolphins can survive at 2,441′ elevation. But first, you have to spot them. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Hikers in the mist as the clouds blotted out the views. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Aida near the base of the power line. Photo by Art Young.

The sun seemed but a distant star at the 2,805′ elevation. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Don’t wake me up. Dreaming about sunshine drenched views. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The sign that Chris made for the summit has now gone missing, the victim of scavengers or scoundrels.

Setting foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountain Range as we made our way to Hell. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Dale on the cliffs edge, just feet away from a steep drop. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

The roller coaster ride on the ridge was the gift that kept on giving. Photo by Art Young.

Dreams do come true. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Evolving to bipedal locomotion on the ridge. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Lilyn by the fenced enclosure that protects a rare native bellflower plant, one which I have yet to see. Then again, I don’t know what I’m looking for. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Aida crossing the ridge; with the stunning backdrop of the Windward coast, valleys and mountains behind her. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Looking from the summit to the sea, a view that is often denied. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Art standing at the top of the windswept meadows. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Katie practicing her Captain Morgan pose.

Checking the Superbowl score. Checked in too early. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Dale descending down the ridge line. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Lilyn coming down from the mountain. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Looking down at the bunker, we saw Chris and Tessa who had hiked up from Moanalua Valley, setting up house. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Dale standing in the windy meadows, which has claimed many a hat and utensils. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Location, location, location. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Lunch time in the cold dungeon of Hell. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Everybody’s photo shot at the terminus of the stairs that the military failed to finish.

Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl. Group photo by Tessa Bugay, left to right: Chris, Katie, Art, Aida, myself, Lilyn, Dale and Tessa.

Leaving the REI outlet bunker. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Heading out on the stairs that Mother Nature are slowly reclaiming. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Last look back at Hell. Today was a good day in Hell. Photo by Katie Bingham.

The stairs were soon replaced with a weathered cable as we made our way along the ridge. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Looking across the valley to the socked in summit of Heaven. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Climbing our last set of rusty stairs. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Leaving Hell behind us. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Tessa and Lilyn going down the undulating ridge line. Photo by Aida Gordon.

The group taking a short break at the weather beaten marker. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Looking down at the H-3 snaking its way out from the mountains and into the valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.

The group waiting for everybody to catch up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

While some of us were deciding whether to end the hike in Heaven, Dale decided to go down Red Hill. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Katie climbing down the side of the heavily eroded saddle.

Scooting our way down the ridge line. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Watch out for falling rocks.

Looking out towards Haiku Valley.

The girls making their way across the saddle with the scalloped mountain behind them.

Standing on the scenic rock for my photo opportunity. WAP. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Katie dropping down into the middle of the saddle.

Time was running out for heaven, so we all left the summit after our last group photo of the day. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Going down the trail, where somebody took the uluhe shortcut. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Hitting the valley floor.

Tessa making her way under the tangled thicket of hau branches.

Somebody had a private rainbow showing all to himself. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Things that go boo and not bump in the night. Our 11.6 mile hike ended under the cover of darkness with a great crew. Post hike meal at Alley Restaurant where ghost stories were shared for the chicken skin experience.

Video by Dale Yoshizu of our fun 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.

Tagged as: aiea loop trail, aiea ridge trail, aiea summit, kamananui valley trail, keaiwa heiau park, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, kulana'ahane summit, north haiku stairs, puu kawipoo, red hill summit, stairway to hell