I decided to do a solo outing today and see how far my legs would take me in the mountains.

Kulana’ahane Junction

The darkness in the valley gave my legs added fleetness as I made it to the sign in under 30 minutes.

Red Hill Summit

Making my way to the 2,237′ top after being rained on for the most part of the ridge climb. Luckily, the rain paused as I summited. Thank heavens for small favors.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Looking back at the Western half of the ridge line that I had just came down.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Quick selfie in the middle of the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Contouring around the most famous obstacle on the saddle, the Dirt Triangle. I had startled two feral pigs in the bushes earlier on the ridgeline. First time I have ever seen pigs on the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Looking down at the original Naval Radio Station that was built in 1942 from one of the antenna anchor sites, the bomb proof building is now known as the Omega Station after the US Coast Guard took it over in 1975 until it was decommissioned in 1997.

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing up the ladder that connects to the lesser known Stairway to Heaven.

CCL Building

I had the top all to myself. I saw a couple hikers descending down the 3,922 metal steps that are now slated to be dismantled as the city could not find a common ground between the various parties involved to save the stairs.

Moanalua Middle Ridge

The rain followed me down the scarred ridge, where slats installed by Ted Calvero and friends have helped to retard the erosion.

MMR

Checking out the Manono tree which has survived largely due to the efforts of Ted Calvero and friends. Before their timely intervention, the tree was being used to pull and lower hikers down and it was slowly being strangled and eroded to death.

MMR

Slippery slope.

MMR

This is the picture of over trafficking by hikers on the ridge line. Believe it or not, most of the ridge was actually flat with vegetation on top at one time. Now it’s a wasteland of deeply rutted trenches that scar the topography. And it’s only going to get worse as the stampede to see the Stairway to Heaven intensifies as news of its impending removal circulates among the international community.

MMR

Looking into Moanalua Valley, the original site of the planned H-3 highway until a court ruled in 1977 that the area was a National Historic Landmark and exempt from any construction.

Kulana’ahane Junction

Dropping off the ridge and crossing the parched stream bed as I made my way back out on the Kamananui Valley Trail.

All pau

I met up with Tessa in the park who was my ride if I had continued my mountain traverse, but she was nice enough to drop off a cold carbonated beverage and freshly baked goods for my consumption. Mahalo!

GPS Tracks

My solitary day in the mountains covered 10.7 miles that was covered with a mixed bag of inclement and sunny weather. Not a bad way to spend the day.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Met up with Chris, Marilyn and Tessa to hop, skip and jump over the saddles this weekend. It turned out to be more slip and fall.

Moanalua Valley

We crossed the seven bridges and Tessa grabbed a handful of ohi’a’ai from a neighboring stream.

Kulana’ahane Junction

Group photo with Rocky and his group who continued their hike on Moanalua Middle Ridge.

Godek-Jaskulski Trail

Going up the route developed by Chuck Godek and Erwin Jaskulski.

Godek-Jaskulski Trail

Looking at the saddle being bathed by the breaking daylight.

Godek-Jaskulski Trail

Making our way up the stiff and steep trail.

Red Hill Junction

No nana baket left behind.

Red Hill Trail

Looking out towards the $80 million per mile highway before tackling the four false peaks that lay ahead of us.

Red Hill Summit

Group photo at the top with Haiku Valley and the Windward coast behind us.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the summit for the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Chris scrambling over a badly eroded section.

Moanalua Saddle

The girls climbing down a steep rocky section.

Moanalua Saddle

Dropping in elevation as we worked our way around the wrap around views.

Moanalua Saddle

Some people leave their hearts in the mountains, others leave their skin behind. Nothing that some antibiotic and ankle support can’t temporarily fix.

Moanalua Saddle

Chris going down the dirt corridor that is currently choked with overgrowth.

Moanalua Saddle

Standing on the oft-photographed rock.

Moanalua Saddle

Marilyn was just a couple humps away from our last summit for the day.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Group photo at the scenic summit.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Alcoholic and non-alcoholic toast to celebrate our abbreviated hike.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Chris going down the spur ridge into Moanalua Valley.

Kulana’ahane Trail

Hitting the valley floor and not looking forward to the 28 stream crossings and two miles of valley trail that I thought we had left behind earlier in the morning.

All pau

Thanks to Andrew who met us at the park with cold soda and something that resembled more of a first aid kit than the one we had in the mountains. Post hike meal at Max’s of Manila, where accented ordering prevented the timely delivery of our family style meal.

Photos taken by Chris Bautista, Marilyn Bermudez, Tessa Bugay and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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 did a solo hike and descended down into the depths of hell and came back to tell the tale.

Aiea Loop Trail

Thanks to Ani for dropping me off at the top of the loop trail around 0632.

Aiea Loop Trail

Most of the five mile trail was surprisingly dry as the rising sun soon began to beat down on my sweaty head.

Pu’u Kawipo’o

Looking at the H3 running through Halawa Valley from the 2,441′ hill. What happened to the usual stiff winds?

Aiea Ridge Trail

Windward view from the grassy clearing right before the base of the power line tower. Scant cloud cover floated above my sweating head.

Aiea Summit

Ascended to the 2,805′ summit at 0848. Promptly took a load off my feet. I was sweating profusely from the heat and lack of wind.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Going up and down the humps on the ridge with Windward views to keep me company.

KSRT

The valley views that never fail to disappoint were noticeably absent of wind that would snatch the cap off your head and send it tumbling down the hill.

KSRT

Dropped into hell or what is left of North Haiku Stairs at 0952.

Stairway to Hell

The place actually lived up to its name today. Gone were the gusting winds that made the place feel like being inside a freezer. I had my lunch with the stunning vistas as my office views.

KSRT

Climbing my way out of the place of suffering and disintegrating stairs.

KSRT

Peering towards Stairway to Heaven.

Red Hill Summit

I ran into Brittney’s group at my last summit of the day at 1110. They were deciding whether to continue to where I had just come from. Given their time constraints, they decided to come back another day.

Red Hill Ridge

Going down the relentless rollercoaster ridge line.

Godek-Jaskulski Junction

I ignored the option to drop down into Moanalua Valley and continued to suffer on the suffocating ridge.

Red Hill Ridge

Walking through the section of pine trees gave me a slight respite from the heat.

Red Hill Ridge

Plowing through the dense uluhe ferns that seemed to dominate most of the ridge line. Not a walk in the park.

Red Hill Ridge

Going through the corridor of strawberry guava trees that signaled that I was close to contouring down the ridge line. The markers soon took me to the end of a cliff. I had little patience due to the high heat and humidity, so I just climbed and slid my way down the cliff instead of finding the trail again.

All pau

No time for a game of hoops as I ended my hike and walked back to my steaming hot car parked on the side of the road. Fitting end to the hike.

GPS Tracks

My hot as hell hike covered roughly 10.4 miles but I was rewarded with stunning vistas all around.

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.

Chris, Ferlino, Yoly and myself joined up with HTMC for their scheduled hike and then split on our own separate hike. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Moanalua Valley Park

Met a couple familiar faces at the hike briefing, left to right: Aida, Dale, Yoly, Ferlino, Chris, myself, Janell and Quan. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Basketball Court

We skirted the dribbling courts to reach the trailhead.

Red Hill Trail

Right off the bat, the trail was steep and loosely packed.

Red Hill Trail

Pushing our way up the trail that was populated with boulders and dry California grass.

Red Hill Trail

Did I mention it was steep? I almost had to go full primate on the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Red Hill Ridge

We finally gained the ridge crest after huffing and puffing our way to the top.

Red Hill Ridge

Dale coming up with the city views to his back.

Red Hill Ridge

Some people are happy just soaking in the views of Moanalua Valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Red Hill Ridge

Others have to grab and seize it for actual enjoyment. Photo by Yoly Bedord.

Red Hill Ridge

Arthur making his way through the stand of strawberry guava trees.

Red Hill Ridge

Some of the group walking on the trail that bordered an eroded drop off.

Trail snack

The trail was fruiting with these tasty and sweet guava fruits.

Load limit

How many hikers can a half-dead tree support? Let’s find out.

Red Hill Ridge

A solitary standing pine tree that was begging to be decorated. Christmas can’t come soon enough.

Red Hill Ridge

What is he doing up there? Photo by Yoly Bedford

Tree monkeys

Chris, Ferlino and Yoly climbed up this multi-trunk pine tree.

Windy

We briefly stopped at the end of the pine tree grove where the blowing winds tried to peel Quan from the tree and forced Arthur to do the limbo dance. Don and Janice also turned around at this point. Photo by Janell Tuttle.

Skull and Bones

Janell photographing the sun bleached remains of a hiker who had failed to use a strong enough sunscreen. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Red Hill Ridge

Going down into the saddle. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Red Hill Ridge

Heading up the spongy and mossy covered trail. Photo by Chris Bautista

Red Hill Ridge

Brushing our way through the dense uluhe undergrowth.

Disney

Looking back at the cluster of Cinderella pine trees. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Red Hill Ridge

Rich crossing the narrow dike section. Photo by Aida Gordon

Godek-Jaskulski Junction

Lunch break at the junction. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Red Hill Ridge

We continued our ascent up the ridge after the lunch break was over, while the rest of the club descended the Godek-Jaskulski trail. The club warned us that the trail beyond was not cleared and most likely heavily overgrown.

Lost

Ran across a German couple who thought this was the way to heaven. They got scared at the top where the ridge turned somewhat narrow, so they turned back. We broke the news to them that they didn’t have enough time to go the “correct” way as their return flight was tonight. Auf Wiedersehen.

Red Hill Summit

We made it to the summit despite the “overgrown” trail. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Going down the saddle. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Moanalua Saddle West

Yielded to this guy making his way up the saddle. Turns out his instagram handle is alahekehihawaii. Small world.

Moanalua Saddle West

Looking back at Ferlino and Yoly climbing their way down, several areas were just basically eroded dirt slides.

Moanalua Saddle West

Ferlino going over one of several humps before our break in the middle. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Yoly in the notch looking out towards the omega station. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Kulana’ahane Summit

Chris looking towards heaven.

Moanalua Saddle East

Leaving the summit behind us as we climbed up the crumbly saddle. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Moanalua Saddle East

Ferlino climbing up the first eroded section.

Moanalua Saddle East

Yoly contouring on the Windward side. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Moanalua Saddle East

Climbing back up to the ridge line. Photo by Chris Bautista

Moanalua Saddle East

Making our way towards the Dirt Triangle.

Moanalua Saddle East

Contouring on the Leeward side. Photo by Chris Bautista

Dirt Triangle

Chris climbing up past the soft dirt section to gain the more solid rock section.

Dirt Triangle

Ferlino at the top of the triangle. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Moanalua Saddle East

Chris climbing his way up and over the assorted boulders stuck in the saddle, until they eventually get dislodged and spit down into the valley.

Moanalua Saddle East

Making our way up the last eroded and crumbly section. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Moanalua Saddle East

Yoly checking her footholds near the top.

Moanalua Saddle East

It was a typical windy day on the saddle. Just ask Chris’s hair. Photo by Yoly Bedford

Moanalua Saddle East

Standing at the beginning of the other stairway to heaven. Photo by Yoly Bedford

Moanalua Saddle East

Going up the back stairs that are slowly turning to rust, then dust.

Moanalua Saddle East

We can see that Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming the stairs. Photo by Yoly Bedford.

Moanalua Saddle East

Our slow slog to the summit. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Stairway to Heaven

Group picture at the CCL building.

Stairway to Heaven

A medical emergency within the group forced us to abandon going down middle ridge and taking the most direct route instead, which was the stairs. 3,922 steps back down. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Stairway to Heaven

Going down the stairs. Photo by Chris Bautista

Hoist House

Window seat. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stairway to Heaven

You want your picture taken? No thanks, I have others taking it as we speak. Photo by Ferlino Carinio

Stairway to Heaven

Enjoying the panoramic views from the first landing. Photo by Yoly Bedford

Landslide

The news of the stairs death have been greatly exaggerated.

Haiku Valley

When you have to make your own trade winds. Batteries not included.

Haiku Valley

Mahalo to Laredo for coming out to escort us to safe passage to Allison’s house.

All pau

You guys lost? Want a Jamba Juice? Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up in the friendly neighborhood.

GPS Tracks

Our saddle hike covered a scant 6.67 miles through crumbly and jaw dropping terrain. Post hike meal at Haleiwa Joe’s. We avoided the long lines and got the last cut of prime rib by sitting at the bar. Forget waiting for the table!

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 joined Marvin, Les, Lita, Matt and Robb on a “baby grinder hike” (Marvin’s words) from Aiea to Red Hill, with a descent into Stairway of Hell.

Keaiwa heiau

We stashed a couple of cars outside of Moanalua Valley Park and carpooled in Matt’s van to Aiea Heights. It is highly recommended to park outside both parks, as there is a strong chance that when you come down that the gates will be locked. The 17th century ruins of an Hawaiian healing temple was near the entrance of the Keaiwa Heiau Park, as we followed the road in.

Trailhead

The road led us to the top of the Aiea Loop Trail, where we also picked up Robb to round out the hiking crew.

Bench with a view

The trail sees heavy use by two legged and four legged hikers.

H-3

If you see the H-3, you went too far. Backtrack a bit and make a right up towards the ridge.

Halawa valley

Paralleling the H-3 as we made our way up Aiea ridge.

Looking back

The last clear view we had as clouds soon enveloped us on the ridge.

Powerlines

Looking ahead at the false summit which is marked by a massive powerline tower.

On the KST

We soon topped out on the Koolau’s. What a view! What view?

Cloudy views

Making our way on the narrow trail choked with vegetation, typical KST trail, the clouds would teasingly break apart to give us Windward views and take it right back.

Hawaiian mint

Marvin pointed out this endemic flowering plant, also known as Phyllostegia glabra.

Hiking in the clouds

Hiking in whiteout conditions is surreal and a bummer as no views are present.

Protected area

This small fenced area affords protection to a rare endemic bellflower plant known as Cyanea st.-johnii, that only grows on the Ko’olau Mountains. Didn’t see any today.

Partly cloudy

We can see again!

Rolling mountains

The cloud cover lifted her veil for a moment to reveal the Ko’olau Mountains in all her glory.

Ohia lehua

A red lehua blossom on an ‘ohi’a tree.

Sliding down the ditch

Making our way down the summit trail, we eventually scooted down a ditch where the hidden stairs soon popped into cloudy view.

North Haiku Stairs

Visibility was zero at the top of the stairs. The last time we were here, I had wanted to go down to the end of the stairs, but time constraints dictated otherwise. Was today going to be different?

Look to the left

As I dropped in elevation going down the stairs, the Windward views opened up.

Look to the right

Clouds hanging over the Ko’olau’s Mountains.

Stairway to Hell

Going down the stairs is a different experience than Stairway to Heaven, as railings and steps are missing or rusted to the point of dust. Gloves are highly recommended. Vegetation has reclaimed most sections. The stairs abruptly end at a steep cliff section, a view that was denied to me again. I think I got within a hair of the end, but Marvin called and said the group wanted to leave. Guess I’ll be coming back for another visit.

What goes down, must come up

I raced back up the stairs as fast as my legs and the stairs condition allowed me.

Leaving hell

Got back to the top of the stairs and was gassed out. Munched on my musubi and guzzled some water and then we headed out to catch up with Lita and Robb who had left earlier.

Geo Marker

No views again at the geo marker spot, as we made our way down the summit trail.

Halawa junction

Group photo clockwise: myself, Lita, Robb, Marvin, Lester and Matt. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Going down Halawa ridge

Lita and Robb decided to part ways and go down Halawa Ridge due to concerns about hiking in the dark.

Over the H-3

We picked up the pace as we resumed our hike on the summit trail, passing the H-3 directly overhead.

Red Hill junction

Taking a short break in the clouds.

Long and flat

Going down Red Hill Ridge was defined by a couple big hills and then roller coasting over smaller ones.

Going down the Godek-Jaskulski Ridge

We eventually turned left and made our way down to Moanalua Valley.

Kulana’ahane Trailhead

Time to break out the head lamps for the three mile walk back to our cars.

GPS Tracks

Baby grinder my butt! The 13.03 mile hike over the rolling mountains of the Koolau’s resulted in a long day filled with clouds and intermittent views, but still a great way to end the day or should I say night?