Ferlino, Robin and myself decided to pay a visit to Heaven today.
Kamananui Valley Trail
Pounding the pavement. What happened to the jeep road?
Kulana’ahane Junction
We ran into Janell’s group who was going one way … Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Kulana’ahane Trail
… and we were going the other way.
Moanalua Saddle
Real time weather forecast of clouds on the saddle. Photo by Robin Farr.
Godek-Jaskulski Trail
Ferlino and Robin going up the skinny section of the ridge.
Red Hill Ridge
Pushing towards the top of the rollercoaster ridge.
Red Hill Summit
We all brought our favorite chilled carbonated beverages to the summit.
Moanalua Saddle
Dropping down onto the eroded ridge and leaving the clouds behind us. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Moanalua Saddle
Have hiking stick, will hike.
Moanalua Saddle
The much improved views ahead of us.
Moanalua Saddle
Looking back at the Western half of the Saddle.
Kulana’ahane Summit
A group of Korean hikers joined us at the top from the valley floor to soak in the expansive views.
Moanalua Saddle
The weather forecast for Heaven looked favorable.
Moanalua Saddle
Making our way up on the Eastern half of the Saddle.
Moanalua Saddle
When the Windward climb doesn’t work for you, there is always the Leeward contour. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Moanalua Saddle
Contouring on the Windward side with the H-3 below us.
Moanalua Saddle
Making our way towards the Dirt Triangle. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Dirt Triangle
Climbing up on the Leeward side. Photo by Robin Farr.
Dirt Triangle
When one hiking stick is not enough. Photo by Robin Farr.
Moanalua Saddle
The weather forecast seemed to be holding.
Moanalua Saddle
There seemed to be less rocks holding this ridge together, as compared from the last visit. Photo by Robin Farr.
Moanalua Saddle
Ferlino climbing up the last “technical” climb up the ridge.
Moanalua Saddle
Oh wait, let’s not forget the optional face plant section.
Moanalua Saddle
The view towards Hell.
Ka Hae Hawai’i
When you hike with Ferlino, it’s always Flag Day.
Moanalua Saddle
Panoramic view of the stairs coming and going.
Moanalua Saddle
And she’s buying the stairway to heaven. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Moanalua Saddle
Looking down at the Halawa Amphitheater.
CCL Building
The graffiti angel has fallen from heaven. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.
Fly by
For those that don’t want to run the risk of being ticketed or put the time in on the trail.
Stairway to Heaven
The couple that was hanging out at the top told us we arrived at the right time, as it was completely socked in before we got there. Lucky us.
CCL Building
Sporting the latest in eyewear fashion, the eyepatch sunglass. May lead to lopsided squinting.
Fly boy
We noticed a paraglider skimming the saddle.
KSRT
Leaving Heaven behind us.
Moanalua Middle Ridge
Mingling with other hikers on our downhill commute to the valley floor.
MMR
Ohia trees picture framing the view. Photo by Robin Farr.
MMR
Traffic jam. Passing on the left.
MMR
Ferlino and Robin coming down the eroded trail against the backdrop of the fluted ridges that composes the flanks of the Ko’olau Mountains.
MMR
A possible distant cousin to the now extinct tree-osaur in Kahana Valley.
Bark Park
Who wants a belly rub? Me!
All pau
Nine hours later and we were right back where we started from this morning.
GPS Tracks
Our saddle hike to heaven covered 10.35 miles through constantly changing and eroding terrain. Great hike with good friends. BOGO coupon dictated the venue of our post hike meal to be at the Cattle Company. We just had to wait over 30 minutes which helped to build our appetite up.
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.
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