He was a freelance writer and journalism teacher in China from 2006-2009. The path is quite wide and at many points there are forks in the road which come back to the same point after about 20 yards. The trail was washing away. Youll encounter a couple more ropes (as you did during the Moanalua hike) which will be instrumental in getting down some of the slopes. Native plants along the ridge and rare apapane (Hawaiian honeycreeper) sightings aside, the hike has grown in popularity over the years because of its whispered status as a legal access route, the back way, to the infamous HaikuStairs. Firefighters had to comb through a wooded area and ask a hiker to shake a tree before they found the body just after noon, Fire Captain KevinMokulehua said. Still interested? This is a small playground area for children and at the back of the grass area, the paved trail begins. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY], https://hnldoc.ehawaii.gov/hnldoc/document-download?id=11354. Steep drops on both sides, but the metal Haiku stairs and railings are surprisingly solid. However, if you cross over and set foot on the platform of the satellite or venture onto the stairs you are now in an illegal area. Fortunately,Oahu is full of great hikes. Polizzi graduated from Miami University, Ohio, from which he was commissioned through ROTC and entered the Air Force June 7, 2011. How to Get to Seven Bridges in Hawaii | USA Today Ownership of the stairs was given to the city of Honolulu, and supposedly they were planning to turn the Haiku Stairs hike into a paid attraction. They have already put up high fences on access points reported online and we were only able to get in through one of the drainage ditches, and that was challenging. All rights reserved. There are a few more rope sections and some very deep, muddy crevasses you will have to sneak through before you reach the top of this hike. Regular athletic shoes will not do the job. The Stairway To Heaven also has much more epic views than Koko Head in my opinion, but Koko Head is still a great hike in its own way, and its completely legal, so its a good choice if you want another challenging hike with some fantastic island views. Continue on the main trail up and up and up. Not the one all the way to the left. Parking was easy, street parking next to the park and it was very easy to find the green gate. This Trail is ILLEGAL. Good hike, perfectly legal way. -Food. The middle ridge in Moanalua is home to many native species not found anywhere else in the world, and being at the top of the ridge, the effects of illegal hikers and illegal tours ripples down into the valley. At minimum please wear proper hiking footwear and be prepared. We will be hiking in later June so probably drier. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED Are there hand-holds on the places that were sheer drop off on both sides? We won't share it with anyone else. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. Did this hike last week started at 6 AM. However, its possible to take some great pictures on the stairs and then leave via Moanalua without hiking the entire stairway from top to bottom, that way you get to experience some of both hikes. Distress hikers rescued off Moanalua Valley Trail Friday evening By KITV4 Web Staff Mar 19, 2022 0 HONOLULU (KITV4) - Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on. Heed no trespassing and other warning signs. From plantation towns to planned communities, Central Oahu has its share of secret spots, a bumper crop of bowling alleys and neighborhood eats. The first part of the trail is fairly flat and easy consisting of 17 riverbed crossings. Trailhead Coordinates - Latitude: 21.37409 | Longitude: -157.880509. Looking to hike this any day in next week .if anybody's down, msg me in insta @allispichkooo:), Anyone want to do this on 11/24 or 11/25? You need to take the MIDDLE option. There were 2 other parties of 2 hiking that day, plus a group at the top who came from the other trail that made them muddy and take much longer. The hike is four miles each way . Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. Recommended. We hit the stairs and then disappeared into the jungle before we could find out. This is incorrect. All rights reserved. There is parking in the park parking lot, but it's only open from 7 am to 7 pm. Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail. Additionally, along the trail there are several ropes which people have tied tied to help with the hike. I also didnt get enough sleep dont be like me. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. Speaking of which, please be respectful of the local neighborhood and dont make noise or throw trash, and definitely dont jump any fences or go into anyones yard. Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs (Stairway To Heaven) [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY] Hard 4.7 (2199) Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve Photos (5,275) Directions Print/PDF map Length 10.5 miElevation gain 5,029 ftRoute type Out & back Bummer, this trail is closed. Be prepared. Its possible to walk up without the rope but I suggest having some gloves as most people will be holding onto the rope the whole time. Trail reports are used to indicate a trails current condition and inform builders and other riders about any issues on a trail. Non-potable stream water can be found through out the valley. Aloha! There are notable repeat offenders that continue to make 4 or 5-digit profits in a single week, none of which benefits the environment which they are degrading. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. Mahalo! In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. Maybe we miscounted the 4 wheel drive crossings because we were at 15 or 16 when we hit the Kulana'ahane trailhead (on the left). Some of the original cobblestone road remains intact, and leads to a large, petroglyph-covered boulder. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. An absolutely amazing experience. Whether climbing Stairway to Heaven illegally or legally via Moanalua Valley Trail, know that this hike is not for the faint of heart. The Stairway To Heaven trail is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Firefighters said that the rivers crossing the trail were at a dangerously high level. The Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku stairs hiking route is one of the most adventurous hikes on Oahu. If you are interested in climbing the back (legal) way up to the summit you can contact @mike.karas on Instagram and chat with him about when his next tour is running as he hikes the trail most weeks. All rights reserved. Army: Airman assigned to 15th wing died after collapsing while hiking, Furnishings, appliances from Shirokiya Japan Village Walk up for auction, Former Mililani High athletic director indicted, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. Fair enough. Lots of people sliding down on the trail or ripping out plants because they dont have traction damages the trail and makes it worse for everyone else. Don't hike with this Mike guy on here , he reaches out and tries to rip you off and doesn't even hike it with you . I was lucky enough to have climbed on a windless morning, but any wind will add to the complexity and risk to the hike. The time should be posted on the gate. Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. The Best of Hawai'i's Great Outdoors: 20 Great O'ahu Hikes Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. If the weather goes bad on you, you could get stuck for a while. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. Good luck and enjoy! The weather today is just as my friend hoped for; hes been monitoring it daily since a week out to ensure the trail will be dry and moderately windless, opportune conditions for a hike that has us teetering across razor-thin sections with steep drops on either side. However, we wouldnt recommend running. We rest here for a while, towering above the island. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. The first 2.9 miles are fairly straightforward with only 100ft of elevation each mile. Can be very muddy like lots of the ridges out here on island. The great part about this trail is that you have incredible views along the way and not just at the summit. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. The road eventually turns to an unimproved road and later a narrow trail. Can see the water on both sides of the islands the further up you hike. You definitely want good weather for this hike. To remember: You came this far. You walk an easy trail for 3 miles before you start ascending to the summit, which is nearly 2 miles up. For safety. Please do not bring your babies, this hike is far too dangerous for young children. How to Legally Hike to the Haiku Stairs | All Things Kate Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. IG: @ lis.aloha. It's not quite the same experience as climbing the stairs from the bottom up, but you can still reach the Hawaii 'Stairway To Heaven' trail at the top and go back down in either direction when you're done. Translation: Its going to be a long day. While holding back any visions of being on the verge of setting foot on an old Dharma station (LOST fans, you'll understand once you're there), the 20-30 minute hike to the radio tower is full of its own challenges. Please be quiet and respectful of the local residents as you are parking, packing, and reaching the trailhead. Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs (Legal 'Backway' to Stairway to Originally the stairs were built in 1942 by the U.S. Navy as a top-secret facility for transmitting radio signals to ships that were sailing in the Pacific Ocean. The walk would be a little longer but easy on the flat road. Toa Luau at Waimea Valley. These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip! It was intense & very rewarding. TEEN GIRL DIES IN FALL FROM CLIFF HIKE AT ZION NATIONAL PARK. Make sure you at least have the basics and you will be prepared for bad weather or any mishaps on the trail. Legal Statement. The Moanalua Valley Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs is a 10.7 mile (roundtrip) hike along varying terrains with several rope climb sections and very narrow ridge climbing. This is the trail that leads you up the Moanalua Ridge, also known as the Moanalua Middle Ridge. There are shorter hikes on this island with better views and less risk. Be sure youre alright with heights, narrow ridges, and some minor climbing/scrambling. Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. The stairs start in the Haiku Valley, under the H3 highway (John A. Burns Freeway) and they wind up the side of a mountain near Kaneohe, called Puukeahiakahoe. (Facebook/Nathan Stowell). Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. Still, thousands of people make the climb every year, and for good reason its one of the most spectacular hikes on Earth! Youll cross the streambed immediately and then begin to climb quickly. This is my Journey Era. Just wished the front way was open, For experienced hikers dont do alone unless youre a pro & even then let someone know where you are. The hike is four miles each way, making it just 0.15 miles shorter than the Great Aloha Run. It's not about the rules and laws I've cited. For more information, visit: Moanalua Valley and Tripler Ridge Trail Loop, Kalihi Ice Ponds [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY]. ", Barney Griggs, a spokesperson for the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, said anyone who wants to hike the Olomana Trail "should be an experienced hiker. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Most accidents happen when hikers leave the established trail and disregard warning signs. The hike follows the Moanalua Valley Trail before connecting up the Moanalua Middle Ridge, which is the legal 'backway' to reach the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) satellite summit. Someone needs to find a better means of access that bypasses the neighborhood totally. He served as the 15th Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Operations Officer while at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the hiking trail, where he was pronounced dead. We explored a few hundred meters down an abandoned set of stairs, quite sketchy and not recommended before turning back and returning towards the radio tower. Instead walk another 15 feet further and youll see a small, unsigned trail on your left hand side. However, the whole Haiku valley is surrounded by a residential area with fences, yappy dogs, and a security guard, with only a few possible entrances. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. There are dozens of other legal trails that give you a similar view that you can hike. Kamananui Valley Road | Outdoor Project It was beautiful! Also, more so than the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the peak to the radio station is far muddier and much more slippery. This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. If you knew anything about natural resources, you'd understand that this isn't just about respecting something that's sacred but rather protecting a watershed that provides benefits that you clearly take for granted. The government in Oahu has a habit of closing any hike they consider slightly risky, because it might attract lawsuits. -Rain jacket/windbreaker . There was also a hiker named Daylenn Pua who disappeared on the Moanalua Valley trail (the backside route that intersects with the Stairway To Heaven) and was never seen again. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail Hard 4.7 (4054) Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve Photos (5,132) Directions Print/PDF map Length 9.2 miElevation gain 2,998 ftRoute type Out & back Enjoy this 9.2-mile out-and-back trail near Honolulu, Oahu. The stairs are hiked by thousands of people every year, but the status of the trail is still in limbo because the state of Hawaii is afraid of liability and cant decide what to do with the stairs. a pic? Invalid password or account does not exist. Kulana'ahane to H-3 Summit Saddle | Map, Guide - AllTrails 30 BEST HIKES ON OAHU, HAWAII - Journey Era

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