Aiea Ridge to Haiku Stairs

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.

Transitioning from the loop to the ridge trail.

Looking for views. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

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

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

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

Time to plunge onto the cloud soaked ridge line.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making our way up and over the small hills.

I see you! Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Passing through the boulder section. Photo by Aida Gordon.

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

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

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

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

Leaving the summit behind us. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

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

Human anchor at work. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

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

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

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

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

Chris going up. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

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

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

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

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

Are we there yet? Photo by Aida Gordon.

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

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

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

Yawyaw powwow in progress. Photo by Aida Gordon.

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

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

Our last group photo on the hike.

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.

Lilyn coming down the stairs. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Heavenly hijinks.

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

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

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

Passing by random historical remnants. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

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

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.

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.

Tagged as: aiea loop trail, aiea ridge, aiea summit, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, kulana'ahane summit, north haiku stairs, puu keahi a kahoe, south haiku stairs, stairway to heaven, stairway to hell