Moanalua Saddle to Haiku Stairs (Final)

We did a saddle too far, for some today.

Meeting with others that had already come down from their sunrise visit to the stairs.

Crossing over one of seven storied bridges that were built for the Damon family when they used to own the entire valley that was bequeathed by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

We ran into Barry who had come to say his final farewell to the iconic stairs.

Impromptu history lesson on the nearby rock of the old woman, Pohaku ka Luahine, that stopped the H3 highway from being built through this valley. In 1965, the State determined that out of four options: Moanalua corridor, Kalihi corridor, Kalihi alternate, and Nu’uanu corridor; that Moanalua was the most viable one. Protests and lawsuits served to further stall construction, until in 1977, the US DOT directed the State of Hawaii to look at other routes through Halawa Valley, despite their protests that no “reasonable and prudent” alternatives to Moanalua Valley exist.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the saddle, I will fear no drop, for you are with me; your rappelling gear and your webbing, they comfort me.

Matt giving directions to tourists who had lost their way to the stairs.

Going over one of two dozen or so stream crossings in the valley. Who’s keeping count?

Heading deeper into the back of the valley.

Climbing up the short and steep spur ridge with the trickling Moanalua Falls in the background.

Allison warming up for the saddle.

Agnes approaching the terminus which straddles the sloping saddle of Moanalua.

Deep thoughts. Daily affirmation. I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!

Matt demonstrating how being harnessed up will work to a highly receptive audience.

Shall we go while the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak?

The first few steps are always the hardest.

Point of no return. Allison gave it the old college try. Props to her for getting this far out of her comfort zone. Sandra and Allison would retrace their steps back down after they saw us off.

The rest of us continued climbing up to what I call the baby triangle which is before the dirt triangle.

Agnes and Matt coming up the Windward side.

Going up one crumbly rock at a time.

Watching our steps as we contoured up to the ridge line.

Matt bringing up the rear.

Agnes walking down the wide runway.

Climbing on the Leeward side of the dirt triangle.

Agnes making her way up the near vertical section.

Eye in the sky.

The face you make when you reach the top.

Drone view from afar.

Drone view up close.

Matt pulling himself up.

Going up the “cliff” section.

So close, yet so “far.”

Matt starting his climb up the “cliff” section.

Who said it was a good idea for somebody to go down the saddle?

Looking back at the stream that feeds Moanalua Falls.

Somebody was looking for a native bird. Not a dodo bird.

Going up the saddle stairs.

Soon, this view with the stairs will be but a memory.

Agnes about to make her way through the tree tunnel.

Going up to the cloud shrouded CCL Building.

Matt taking a last sip of water before staying the night to rappel Moanalua Falls the next day.

Our last group photo together as Matt was staying the night. He preferred the company of a dark and dank place.

Somebody had taken the last step of the stairs home before it gets ripped off the mountain. Great minds think alike.

Making memories in the mountains.

There’s a lady who’s sure all is gone. And she’s hiking Stairway to Heaven before it’s really gone.

Oh-oh-oh-oh-whoa.

Ooh, it makes me wonder. Ooh, I will really miss this wonder.

In a house on the ridge,

there’s a view that sings.

Sometimes the handshakers are misgiven about the stairs.

The voices of those who stand looking while hiking outside the stairs.

Dear Amber, can you hear the weak cheehoos blow? And did you know your stairway lies on the whispering wind of legal recourse?

There’s still time to change the road we’re on. If not, some shall hike on the ridge itself.

There’s a feeling I get when I look to the East. And my spirit is crying for leaving. But I’ll be back to hike that ridge next over.

And a new day will dawn for those who have stood on the stairs. And the forests will echo with silence. Except for the highway sounds from the nearby H3 highway.

There’s signs on the barricade, but she wants to be sure. ‘Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings. Go stay go.

Walking on the access road, we noticed multiple branches on the ground that were seemingly not the work of Mother Nature. Hmmm.

Sandra decided to go up the stairs one last time with Matt’s group of friends who were planning to all meet up at the top. Agnes and I ate at Alley Restaurant for our post hike meal. Salamat for the oxtail soup and crunch cakes. Great hike with good people.

The stairs at twilight.

Sun setting behind the mountains and the stairs itself.

View of Kaneohe Bay at night.

The Hoist House under natural and artificial illumination.

Good night from the mountains.

Photos taken by Agnes Bryant, Allison Banks, Matt Vidaurri, Sandra Walter, 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.

Tagged as: dirt triangle, haiku stairs, koolau summit ridge trail, ksrt, kulana'ahane summit, kulana'ahane trail, moanalua valley, stairway to heaven