We decided to visit Hell and Heaven today; I met up with Alexis, Analyn, Chris and Ferlino at Moanalua Valley.

Trailhead

Too early for the chickens. Only the dogs were barking as we started our early morning hike. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off.

Aiea Loop Trail

Bench with city light views.

Aiea Ridge Trail

New sign. Summit Trail. No Exit. Advanced. All good to know.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Ferlino crossing the landslide area under spotlight.

Tripler Ridge

Climbing up the steady and steep ridge. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Pu’u Kawipo’o

Taking a break at the large, grassy hill top. The dolphin had “swum” over to another branch.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Approaching the power lines which sits at the base of the summit, where the clouds blocked the views but not the cacophony of civilization that floated to the mountains.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail ( KSRT)

Making our way along the muddy ridge, Chris slipped and a branch poked him below his eye. Mountain first aid rendered – Bactine sprayed on and medical tape slapped on. Good to go.

KSRT

Looking back at the rest of the group making their way on the cloud shrouded ridge.

KSRT

The sun was fighting through the clouds.

KSRT

The rest of the group getting off the ridge and contouring around the protected plant enclosure.

KSRT

Peeking around the corner.

KSRT

Group photo on our descent down to Hell where we ran into a friend who was ascending, left to right: Chris, Alexis, Analyn, Noah, myself, Ferlino and Shirley. Can I shake your hand?

KSRT

Chris’s face says it all. We got a view!

Stairway to Hell

The dress was on. The flag was out. Time to take our group photo.

Bunker

Chris checking to see if the tent collection had grown since our last visit. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KSRT

Leaving the chilly haunt of Hell. Which begs the question. Why is Hell not so hot?

KSRT

Making our way to the summit of Red Hill, where we soon …

Moanalua Saddle

… dropped into the crumbly saddle. Rope? I don’t need no stinking rope.

Moanalua Saddle

Comin’ down the mountain. But first take my picture.

Moanalua Saddle

Humping over the saddle.

Kulana’ahane Summit

The running man. Going the wrong way. Medical tape is not only good for facial cuts but torn pants as well. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Moanalua Saddle

Going up through the tangled and twisted roots that carpeted the ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

The group contouring their way up the Windward side of the ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way to the main obstacle on the ridge. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Dirt Triangle

Alexis climbing up from the Leeward side. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Moanalua Saddle

Crawling our way up the eroded ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

Don’t touch that crumbly rock?

Moanalua Saddle

Looking back at the H-3 Highway snaking its way through Halawa Valley.

Moanalua Saddle

The group climbing out of the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Going up the back stairs.

Stairway to Heaven

Not going down the front stairs.

CCL Building

Throwing shakas out at the 2,720′ summit. Somebody needs to get with the program.

KSRT

Leaving Heaven behind us with views of Kalihi and Nu’uanu Saddles to our front.

KSRT

Dropping down from the MMR junction, we saw a helicopter perched on Tripler Summit ahead of us and decided to see if we could reach it before it took off.

KSRT

No climbing today. Read the sign.

KSRT

We briefly interrupted the workers on the power lines as we quickly passed underneath them. Safety first. Mahalo.

Tripler Summit

A minute late and a helicopter short. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Tripler Summit

The helicopter pilot skillfully flew the workers up and down the spur ridges, dropping and picking them up.

Tripler Summit

No, we are not being rescued.

Tripler Ridge

Leaving the summit and the helicopter ride (wishful thinking) behind us.

Powerlines Ridge

We abbreviated the long Tripler ridge by taking the spur ridge down to the power lines, passing an abundance of smashed guavas on our way down.

Moanalua Valley

Making our way out from the back of the valley.

Moanalua Valley

I think we had our fill of California grass on this hike and then some.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Does somebody need medical tape on their butt again? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

All pau

End of the long road. End of a long day. Somebody needs to get with the program. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

GPS Tracks

Our two for the price of one hike covered a little over 13 miles. Fun day with a great group. Post hike meal at Lilihia Bakery. Oxtail soup tastes better when a dead fly falls out of your eye.

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.

Chris, Justin, Ryan, Thessa and myself spent Easter in the mountains looking for the mythical rabbit that leaves the chocolate eggs. Or was it the hiker that poops the plastic eggs?

Trailhead

Nobody but us hikers and chickens at the lookout. Early hikers get the adobo?

Scramble

Thessa coming up the short, steep and sweet hill.

Good Morning

We caught the sun breaking over the Windward side.

Pali pinnacle

Approaching the Pali Puka.

Pali Puka

Group photo by Justin Hirako, left to right: Ryan, myself, Thessa, Chris and Justin.

Contour

Chris coming up the contour around the pinnacle.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Back on the saddle again.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking back at the clear summit of Konahuanui.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The hotline went unanswered, so we continued our climb to Puu Suicido.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris scrambling up the ridge.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Silhouette hikers.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris and Ryan contouring around a “toothy” rock.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Justin and Thessa making their way over the ridge. Photo by Ryan Leano.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Minor rock scrambling. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Soaking in the views and taking a break. Multi-tasking hiking. Photo by Justin Hirako.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The sun was shining on our sweaty faces and the clouds were dancing over the Ko’olaus. Nice day to be outside.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Give me a X. Give me a Y. Give me a Z.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Climbing up to the “W.” Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Panoramic view of the Windward side.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Left? Right? Upside your head.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The crew contouring around the “W.”

Nu’uanu Saddle

Thessa’s point of view. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Nu’uanu Saddle

My point of view.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris giving us the “W.”

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris and Ryan approaching the long lost Puka of the Pali. Photo by Justin Hirako

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris about to come down from the anvil rock.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Justin making his way down. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Chris contouring around the ridge.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking back. What a view.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Almost there.

Lanihuli Summit

Group photo by Justin Hirako at the 2,700′ summit. Clear views to be had by all.

Lanihuli

Halfway there. We munched on our lunch and picked up where we left off. Well some of us picked up.

Lanihuli

Looking back at Justin and Thessa who decided to go down the Alewa Ridge Trail and pick us up on the other side. With cups of steaming hot cocoas. Topped with an expletive.

Lanihuli

Disappearing from their view. Photo by Thessa Bugay.

Kalihi Saddle

Panoramic view.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan coming down the mountain.

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping down into the saddle. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Riding the dirt dragon, or what’s left of it. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Kalihi Saddle

Some sections were a tad crumbly.

Kalihi Saddle

Descending down Lanihuli Wall.

Kalihi Saddle

Uki grass is your friend. Repeat many times. Hold many times.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan contouring around the ridge.

Kalihi Saddle

Coming down from the Can Opener.

Kalihi Saddle

Pimple. Doorstop. Bunny Ears. Sharks Fin. Colorful names for crumbly rocks.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris coming up the Pimple.

Kalihi Saddle

Perhaps we will find the chocolate eggs between those ears?

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan traversing the Bunny Ears.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris coming down the last Bunny Ear.

Kalihi Saddle

Looking out towards the lush and verdant Kalihi Valley.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan making their way down Sharks Fin.

Kalihi Saddle

Almost there.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris got to break in his new webbing.

Kalihi Saddle

Chris and Ryan approaching the power lines and our way down.

Kalihi Saddle

Dropping down into the valley floor.

All pau

We walked out to the highway and waited for Justin and Thessa to pick us up. Our ride came with benefits. Slushy Icees! Expletive taken back!

GPS Tracks

Our saddle hike covered 3.19 miles with a great crew. Post hike meal at Au’s Garden. Is that a discount? No. Let me adjust and give you the full price. Gee thanks.

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.