Aiea Trail to Moanalua Valley

by kenji SAITO on February 25, 2024

Aiea Trail to Moanalua Valley

Somebody told me to go to hell. I told them to go to hell. So we all went to hell today.

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea Loop Trail

Thanks to Chico for dropping Akira, Roger, Val and myself off at the park that is home to a healing heiau (temple) that was possibly constructed in the 16th century and surrounded by eucalyptus and pine trees that were planted in the 1920s.

Aiea Loop Trail

Aiea Loop Trail

Leaving the loop trail as we connected to the ridge trail.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Catching the sunrise bursting over the Ko’olau Mountains.

Pu'u Kawipoo

Pu’u Kawipoo

Panoramic view from the 2,441′ flat peak.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Pushing to the summit that was less than a mile away, as the mynah bird flies.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

This is not the summit, let’s push on.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Aiea Ridge Trail

Climbing and contouring our way around the HECO powerline tower.

Aiea Summit

Aiea Summit

Group photo at the 2,805′ top with expansive Windward views.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

We pushed off the summit and stepped foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains.

KSRT

KSRT

The winds were something fierce as they plucked my cap off my head and sent it soaring into the mountains. My donation.

KSRT

KSRT

Contouring around the fenced native plant enclosure. I have yet to catch a glimpse.

KSRT

KSRT

We could see heaven but not hell. Yet.

KSRT

KSRT

Climbing up the last hill before our final destination.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Approaching the windswept meadows that is home to what many people commonly call “Stairway to Hell.”

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Going down the stairs that time has “forgotten.”

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

We decided to go down just a short stretch and not all the way to the bottom as originally planned.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Climbing our way down the stairs that are falling apart, literally. The stairs do not go completely down to the base of the cliff as the opposite stairs does, due to a steep cliff that prevented further construction and progress of the stairs.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Best seat in the mountains.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Akira climbing back up through the stairs that are slowly being reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Stairway to Hell

Stairway to Hell

Meanwhile, over yonder a couple saw us climbing up the dilapidated stairs from their vantage point.

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Val climbing back up the near vertical section whose supports are being slowly exposed to the elements, further hastening the erosion of

North Haiku Stairs

North Haiku Stairs

Roger exchanging unstable and rotten footing for terra firma.

Ko'olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Seeking temporary refuge from the gusting winds that definitely brought our body temperature down a degree or two.

KSRT

KSRT

Following the decaying stairs that lead us out of the hike that is best served cold.

KSRT

KSRT

Roger crossing over one of the platforms that housed A-frames that supported one of six antennas suspended across the valley for military communication use in WW2.

KSRT

KSRT

Climbing our way out of hell.

KSRT

KSRT

Val coming up the last section of the rusted stairs that will soon disintegrate into oxidized dust.

KSRT

KSRT

Descending down the hill as we approached the junction to the Halawa Trail.

KSRT

KSRT

Running into Amber and Orion who was also told to go to hell. They went all the way to the bottom of hell.

H-3

H-3

Looking down at the most expensive interstate highway ever built, at a cost of roughly $80 million per mile.

Red Hill Summit

Red Hill Summit

Taking a break at the grassy area with the laminated flyer regarding Daylenn “Moke” Pua who went missing on February 26, 2015. Extensive searches that canvassed the area by foot and air were conducted with no luck. I believe it was his disappearance that was the catalyst for the formation of Oahu Search and Rescue (OSAR), an all volunteer group that assists with the search for missing hikers and educating the public at large about safe hiking practices.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Roger directly dealing with the troublesome tree that has tripped many a hiker.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Going down the “easy” side of the saddle. Easy being relative. Christian hymns optional.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Scrambling down one of many eroded spots on the ridge line.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Climbing down the constantly changing character of the mountains. Tree here today. Tree gone tomorrow.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

The group sliding their way down the steep hill cushioned by ferns and packed with loose dirt.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Roger standing on the photo opportunity rock.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Why contour when you can climb? Exactly.

Moanalua Saddle

Moanalua Saddle

Almost there!

Kulana'ahane Summit

Kulana’ahane Summit

Our last group photo before we descended down into the valley. Talks of continuing to heaven were blown away by the strong winds.

Kulana'ahane Trail

Kulana’ahane Trail

Going down the short and steep spur ridge.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Kamananui Valley Trail

Val crossing the last of 28 stream crossings in the valley.

Moanalua Valley

Moanalua Valley

Going over the last of seven bridges that were connected to the cobblestone carriage road that once served as a path for the horse and carriages that the Damon family used at the turn of the century.

All pau

All pau

Mahalo to Aida, Aileen and Tessa who met us in the community park. It worked out in the end as they were originally supposed to have joined us on the hike. Instead, they came bearing gifts in the form of soda floats.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our windy as hell hike covered 12.3 miles with good company. Post hike meal at Teishoku where the eye was bigger than the stomach for some and the Japanese pronunciation of the French expression resulted in uncontrollable laughter from some. Ice cream for dessert for some as others didn’t care.

Photos taken by Akira Suzuki, Roger Schiffman, Val Wang, 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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Wahinee01 March 21, 2024 at 6:51 pm

I missed out on another great hike. Glad you guys had a clear day in hell. lol

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kenji SAITO April 6, 2024 at 6:52 am

Aloha Tessa,
Thanks. The mountains will always be there.
Mahalo

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