Aiea Ridge to Haiku Stairs

by kenji SAITO on July 19, 2020

It was time to help another friend connect the dots and finish the KST today. Thanks to Jasmin and Art’s brother for dropping Analyn, Anne, Art, Chris, Ferlino, Lilyn, Mary Jane, Tessa and myself off at the Kea’iwa Heiau State Recreation Area.

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea Loop Trail

Transitioning from the loop to the ridge trail.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Looking for views. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Pu'u Kawipo'o

Pu’u Kawipo’o

Group photo in the driving rain. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Approaching the base of the summit in near zero visibility conditions.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

Group photo left to right: Chris, Ferlino, myself, Analyn, Tessa, Lilyn, Anne, Mary Jane and Art.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Time to plunge onto the cloud soaked ridge line.

KSRT

KSRT

Hanging on for dear life in the wind blasted meadows. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Dropping down the ridge as the clouds started to dissipate into the wind.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

We arrived at our destination, chilled and treated to spectacular panoramic views.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Costumes, signs and flags were all part of the program today.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Group photo at the dilapidated stairs. Why is it never hot here?

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

For some, the photoshoot was over. For others, it was just the beginning.

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way over the rusted stairs and abandoned platforms. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

KSRT

Climbing out of the stairs or what was left of them. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

KSRT

Making our way up and over the small hills.

Peek-a-boo

Peek-a-boo

I see you! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

KSRT

Looking ahead to the saddle. Fun times coming up. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

H3

H3

Watching the toy cars travel on the federal highway that cuts through Halawa Valley. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Red Hill Summit

Red Hill Summit

Aida and Janell had hiked up from Godek-Jaskulski Trail to meet up with us. Glad to have the additional company. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Our group now numbered 11 as we resumed our hike on the beginning of the crumbly ridge line.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Scooting our way down the uneven terrain. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Janell and Lilyn coming down the rock wall. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

911

911

Aida missed her landing and rolled down the grassy hill. Luckily somebody had a power glove to assist me in reeling her back up the hill. Photos by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group coming down the dirt slide. Just missing the mats. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Passing through the boulder section. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group traversing through the saddle. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Matt had come up from the valley to join our hike. Always good for the company. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Kulana'ahane Summit

Kulana’ahane Summit

Group photo left to right: Mary Jane, Anne, Analyn, Ferlino, myself, Art, Matt, Chris, Tessa, Lilyn, Aida and Janell.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Our group now numbered a dozen as we started our climb up towards Heaven. Photo by Art Young.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Leaving the summit behind us. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Throwing down the webbing for that extra peace of mind. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Human anchor at work. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group having fun on the rock pile. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Contouring our way up on the Windward side with the Omega Station in the distance. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Anne ready to climb up the biggest obstacle on the saddle. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Contouring off the ridge line to get to the big crumbly pile of rocks. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Chris going up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Dirt Triangle

Dirt Triangle

Tessa pulling herself back up to the ridge line. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Touch that rock but not this rock. Photo by Art Young.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Analyn climbing up the short stretch of near vertical crumbly rock in windy conditions.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Lilyn contouring her way to climb up. Photo by Art Young.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Are we there yet? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Group photo at the first landing before the back stairs. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Hiking up through the back way. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The stairs just need a little TLC. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Yawyaw powwow in progress. Photo by Aida Gordon.

CCL Building

CCL Building

It was a touchy feely moment for the yawyaws. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven

My traditional champagne dousing of Anne as we all congratulated her on completing the KST. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

South Haiku Stairs

South Haiku Stairs

Our last group photo on the hike.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

We deviated from our original plan of descending down Middle Ridge as possible alcohol poisoning in our group dictated that we take the shortest and most direct route down. Photo by Art Young.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Lilyn coming down the stairs. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Hoist House

Hoist House

Heavenly hijinks.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Lost my count. How many steps? 3,922? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

One of the most photographed spot on the stairs. Photo by Art Young.

Haiku Stairs

Haiku Stairs

Somebody left their heart on the stairs. It’s not hard to see why. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Haiku Ladder

Haiku Ladder

Passing by random historical remnants. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

All pau

All pau

Mahalo to Jasmin and Quan for the expedited pick up from the neighborhood and Allison for her usual assistance. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

Post hike meal

Post hike meal

Agnes, Joshua, Lee, Quan and Richard and family joined us at Haleiwa Joe’s for Anne’s celebratory dinner, complete with a cake for dessert and fresh fruits.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our just shy of 10 miles hike bookended the two stairways and saw a friend finishing the KST. Not a bad way to spend the day. Congratulations again Anne!

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our Hell to Heaven 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.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Wahinee01 September 12, 2020 at 12:59 pm

Awww, what a fun group! I miss the yawyaws already lol. Thank you for documenting these events. Something to look back onto to reminisce when we get older, hahaha!

Reply

kenji SAITO September 14, 2020 at 9:13 am

Aloha Tessa,
Yup, always fun times. Nice to have something to remember when the memory fades.
Mahalo

Reply

Aida Gordon September 12, 2020 at 10:52 pm

Thanks for the great write-up as always. And for the rescue on the crumbly dirt ridge. I’m beginning to like Moanalua Saddle East lol.

Reply

kenji SAITO September 14, 2020 at 9:14 am

Aloha Aida,
Thanks! Falling off the hills has a tendency to do that.
Mahalo

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