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.

We decided to visit Hell and Heaven today; I met up with Alexis, Analyn, Chris and Ferlino at Moanalua Valley.

Trailhead

Too early for the chickens. Only the dogs were barking as we started our early morning hike. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping us off.

Aiea Loop Trail

Bench with city light views.

Aiea Ridge Trail

New sign. Summit Trail. No Exit. Advanced. All good to know.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Ferlino crossing the landslide area under spotlight.

Tripler Ridge

Climbing up the steady and steep ridge. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Pu’u Kawipo’o

Taking a break at the large, grassy hill top. The dolphin had “swum” over to another branch.

Aiea Ridge Trail

Approaching the power lines which sits at the base of the summit, where the clouds blocked the views but not the cacophony of civilization that floated to the mountains.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail ( KSRT)

Making our way along the muddy ridge, Chris slipped and a branch poked him below his eye. Mountain first aid rendered – Bactine sprayed on and medical tape slapped on. Good to go.

KSRT

Looking back at the rest of the group making their way on the cloud shrouded ridge.

KSRT

The sun was fighting through the clouds.

KSRT

The rest of the group getting off the ridge and contouring around the protected plant enclosure.

KSRT

Peeking around the corner.

KSRT

Group photo on our descent down to Hell where we ran into a friend who was ascending, left to right: Chris, Alexis, Analyn, Noah, myself, Ferlino and Shirley. Can I shake your hand?

KSRT

Chris’s face says it all. We got a view!

Stairway to Hell

The dress was on. The flag was out. Time to take our group photo.

Bunker

Chris checking to see if the tent collection had grown since our last visit. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

KSRT

Leaving the chilly haunt of Hell. Which begs the question. Why is Hell not so hot?

KSRT

Making our way to the summit of Red Hill, where we soon …

Moanalua Saddle

… dropped into the crumbly saddle. Rope? I don’t need no stinking rope.

Moanalua Saddle

Comin’ down the mountain. But first take my picture.

Moanalua Saddle

Humping over the saddle.

Kulana’ahane Summit

The running man. Going the wrong way. Medical tape is not only good for facial cuts but torn pants as well. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Moanalua Saddle

Going up through the tangled and twisted roots that carpeted the ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

The group contouring their way up the Windward side of the ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

Making our way to the main obstacle on the ridge. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Dirt Triangle

Alexis climbing up from the Leeward side. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Moanalua Saddle

Crawling our way up the eroded ridge.

Moanalua Saddle

Don’t touch that crumbly rock?

Moanalua Saddle

Looking back at the H-3 Highway snaking its way through Halawa Valley.

Moanalua Saddle

The group climbing out of the saddle.

Moanalua Saddle

Going up the back stairs.

Stairway to Heaven

Not going down the front stairs.

CCL Building

Throwing shakas out at the 2,720′ summit. Somebody needs to get with the program.

KSRT

Leaving Heaven behind us with views of Kalihi and Nu’uanu Saddles to our front.

KSRT

Dropping down from the MMR junction, we saw a helicopter perched on Tripler Summit ahead of us and decided to see if we could reach it before it took off.

KSRT

No climbing today. Read the sign.

KSRT

We briefly interrupted the workers on the power lines as we quickly passed underneath them. Safety first. Mahalo.

Tripler Summit

A minute late and a helicopter short. Photo by Chris Bautista.

Tripler Summit

The helicopter pilot skillfully flew the workers up and down the spur ridges, dropping and picking them up.

Tripler Summit

No, we are not being rescued.

Tripler Ridge

Leaving the summit and the helicopter ride (wishful thinking) behind us.

Powerlines Ridge

We abbreviated the long Tripler ridge by taking the spur ridge down to the power lines, passing an abundance of smashed guavas on our way down.

Moanalua Valley

Making our way out from the back of the valley.

Moanalua Valley

I think we had our fill of California grass on this hike and then some.

Kamananui Valley Trail

Does somebody need medical tape on their butt again? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

All pau

End of the long road. End of a long day. Somebody needs to get with the program. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

GPS Tracks

Our two for the price of one hike covered a little over 13 miles. Fun day with a great group. Post hike meal at Lilihia Bakery. Oxtail soup tastes better when a dead fly falls out of your eye.

Note: I have been made aware the 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.