Moanalua Valley Trail Hiking Trail - Pearl City, HI - Trailforks Once at the summit of the Moanalua Valley Trail you will essentially enjoy the view and then turn back around and head down the way you came. Trailhead Coordinates - Latitude: 21.37409 | Longitude: -157.880509. Anthony J. Polizzi. The Moanalua trail can be muddy after rain, so check the conditions before you go. If you hike up the Moanalua trail and then down the stairs, youre still risking a fine, because the stairway is not legal. We did the Uncle Toms Trail in Yellowstone and for me that was one of the best little adventures Ive done. Anthony J. Polizzi, 31. 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). Personally I think hikers should decide for themselves what kind of risks theyre comfortable with, but bear the responsibility themselves if they have an accident. Assuming you are doing the middle ridge hike, very enjoyable. Bummer, this trail is closed. Kulana'ahane Trail | Outdoor Project So long as you make the right turn in The Valley you can easily find your way up, assuming youre up to the effort. It was beautiful! Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. 12. There is a security guard at the beginning. Legal Statement. Eventually, a sliver of the Pacific Ocean peeks out from the other side of the mountain and, before I know it, were at our destination, rewarded with a panoramic view of the Windward Side. Had to go the long way from Moanalua Valley (the legal way so not sure why this says its closed ~ unless its speaking of the actual stairs) I wanted to do this hike every since I moved here 17.5 years ago. Wind and rain can make it much harder and more risky. The steepest section of stairs is actually near the start of the hike, right before you reach the first platform. The main reason to take the back way is just to stay legal and rule out any possible fines. Similar to the Angles Landing Hike in Zion National Park. Here are my hiking essentials. The view is wonderful worth the hike. Step 4 Park at the Moanalua Valley Park parking lot at 1849 Ala. Theres something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Moanalua Valley Trail (backway to Stairway to Heaven) and have good luck and good weather on your journey! Moanalua Valley Trail 4 0 ftHiking Trails Pearl Harbor National Memorial 13,695 2.7 miHistoric Sites Military Bases & Facilities USS Arizona Memorial 27,032 Historic Sites Cemeteries See all See what other travelers are saying JacksonJones 24 contributions Amazing Ridge Hike to the Top of the Haiku Stairs A headlamp, rain jacket, and good hiking boots or shoes are the three main pieces of gear you need. Plan accordingly. The first 2.5ish miles are flat and the next 2 miles are a pretty steep incline. The back way to the ever popular and still somewhat illegal Haiku Stairs, the Moanalua Middle Ridge hike brings plenty of beauty and even more challenges than the path down the Haiku Stairs. I wouldnt recommend this trek if you have a big fear of heights, but most people who do the hike will agree its not nearly as bad as they expected. This is quite the work out and worth the view. 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. Leads to the Kulana'Ahane Trail - Review of Moanalua Valley Trail 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. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail | Map, Guide - Oahu, Hawaii | AllTrails HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - U.S. Army officials have released new details surrounding the death of an Airman assigned to the 15th Wing. I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! (That said, while you may take in the jaw-dropping views it showcases of Oahu at the hikes summit, the stairs themselves are still illegal to go down and trespass on, regardless of how youve reached them.) Invalid password or account does not exist. The trail becomes quite adventurous with many sections becoming quite narrow and requiring a rope to pull yourself up the slippery, gravel surface. Most of the time it will be muddy, so be prepared to get dirty. -Good shoes. All rights reserved. Im not easy to sunburn, but he tosses me the bottle anyway, a suggestion to rub in a little more than I already have. My issue is with the erosion scar that's been exacerbated ten-fold on the middle ridge allowing invasive species to spread further and further to the summit. If its your first time on the trail and you lose sight of other hikers, take care to keep to the right once youre about two miles in, as heading left will take you to a different trail. However, it is not the most dangerous hike on Oahu. This is incorrect. Well worth that investment of time sweat & tears! Trudging up the slope, it takes about half an hour to scale the first hump. The trail becomes quite steep from this point on with lots of tree roots to scramble up, boulders to clamber over and small rope sections to navigate. Being inside the boundaries of the TMK parcel that the stairs is built on is a finable offense for having broken property and trespass laws. Keep your personal fitness and skill levelin mind, and always take proper precautions when venturing off road. The exposed ridges have more space on the sides than the pictures seem. Loving all your content and guidance! I first discovered the Stairway To Heaven Oahu hike on the internet in 2015 and knew I had to try it. No such facilities are available within the valley itself. The time should be posted on the gate. You may also be wondering how Stairway To Heaven compares to the infamous Koko Crater Trail in Oahu, also known as the Koko Head Stairs of Doom.. (10-15) When I got to the top there was probably 10 or so people hanging out which is cool and all, but took away from the experience for me. When people refer to it as the legal backway to get to the Stairway to Heaven that refers to the legal route to the top of the Moanalua Valley Trail but you still arent allowed to actually go on the stairs or the satellite area. 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. This hike is long, and the weather can change quickly along the trail as you ascend to just shy of 3,000ft elevation. Now that you have made it onto the Moanalua Middle Ridge, the trail is quite easy to follow as it basically follows the ridgeline all the way up to the summit. A helpful tool I used was to count the 4 wheel drive road crossings (ie concrete slabs) over the river bed. Polizzi was on the hike with a group of friends. Bring ziplock bag to gather your trash respect the land & beauty of the island. It was a beautiful day, not too muddy to complete this hike. Market data provided by Factset. I hope to do it again someday. Furthermore, Hawaii State Forest Reserves have other rules, such as what time they open and close, yes you read that correctly, Forest Reserves are only legal to hike in 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Anyone who hikes the 10 miles round trip is obviously going to go to the top of the stairs, or beyond. Thousands of people hike this trail every year and no one has ever died by falling. Suddenly youre alone on the mountain. Hunters frequent the surrounding area, so, when in doubt, follow the stream! As soon as you veer from top of the middle ridge, roughly 2000ft from the top of the stairs, you are trespassing and can be fined for doing so. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. We did run into a few people who had gotten lost at the start though. Please explore other trails nearby. We celebrated National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17), with a round up of our top picks for the best hikes on the Island. That wouldnt be cheap. Not the one all the way to the left. Please see J T s comments below before attempting this. Accessing the Trail: The trail starts at Moanalua Valley Park, about 20 minutes away from Waikiki. IG: @ lis.aloha. 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. 2 Thank bognarofsydney . This is the end of the Middle Ridge Trail. Moanalua Valley Trail - Moanalua Valley Trail - Tripadvisor a view? No experience and with a 8 year old. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Thanks for looking! This hike is just one trail located in the Ewa Forest Preserve. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. Thank for your continued support. On my hike up the Moanalua Valley Trail, I went halfway down the stairs and back up just to explore and then returned via the Moanalua Valley Trail although I met some people who were going to try and exit via the stairs. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. 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. If you look closely, you can see the winding stairway. Ethical? Love this hike! olson.wyatt@stripes.com Twitter: @WyattWOlson. The main problem is going through the neighborhood. 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As we continue on for the next few hours theres something encouraging about being able to zero in on where we started at Moanalua Valley Park and the remote summit before us, to visually track our progress. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. It is open 7A-7P but I started my hike at 6:15A and the gate was open. Please be prepared! Too many litterbugs on the island sadly. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. Be advised that if you need emergency services you will be billed for the rescue equipment usage and personnel time. 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. This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of most fitness levels. When I did the Haiku Stairs Oahu trek for the first time on my birthday in 2016, the weather started out clear but then some clouds came in. Bring some shoes that you don't care about because the trail is muddy and you will definitely get dirty. Monalua Ridge offers legal access to the top of the Haiku Stairs (note: they are illegal to go down). For more information, visit: Moanalua Valley and Tripler Ridge Trail Loop, Kalihi Ice Ponds [CLOSED / PRIVATE PROPERTY]. Beyond the legality of this hike, whether you are a local or just visiting Hawaii, doing this hike shows great disrespect to Hawaii, its people, its natural resources, and our culture. If you have further questions about the legality of this hike, you can contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. In 2015, a man from Florida man died after falling about 200 feet from the trail. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. The views are simply stunning and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Chinamans Hat near Kualoa Ranch and in the other direction, you can see all the way to Rabbit Island at Makapuu. The exact cause of the incident is still under investigation. Well kept trail for the island, but still challenging. These people are mad and will make increasing trouble for hikers as time goes by. Ill add a note about that in the article. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. We won't share it with anyone else. Recommended. Cause of death for California family found during Sierra hike - Los There were plans to remove the stairs, but theres also been a lot of pushback from Hawaii locals wanting to keep the stairs. Preview trail Dogs on leash Hiking Walking Bird watching River Views Waterfall Wildflowers Over grown Scramble Description Parking is at the Moanalua Valley Park (open from 7am - 7pm) at the end of Ala Aolani Street. Copyright 2020 Hawaii News Now. Good luck and enjoy! Every trail I hike on this island and other islands is overrun, regulate yes, shut down no and certainly dont be a condescending dick about something you have zero authority over. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. How to Legally Hike to the Haiku Stairs | All Things Kate My wife Intan and I are usually in our second home Bali, but our journeys take us to destinations all over the world. The trail is quite easy to follow for the first few miles with a wide path, winding you through lush forest and warming up your legs. Polizzi graduated from Miami University, Ohio, from which he was commissioned through ROTC and entered the Air Force June 7, 2011. August 10, 1928 - February 22, 2023 Sister Mary Ellen Sprouffske, C.S.J. You can go all the way up and assess the situation and make your decisions from there but even if you dont want to venture onto the illegal area you will have great views so it is still worth the journey either way. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. Dinner and Show Tickets. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. But is the solution to shut everything down? The last crossing is allll the way at the end, and immediately after that last crossing, it's dense 12ft tall grass and the trail disappears. The area escorts us into a network of trails here, where the middle ridge opens up upon crossing a streambed found just after the marker for the Kulanaahane Trail. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. Theres also a legal way to reach the top of the mountain by climbing it from the backside via Moanalua Valley trail, which Ill explain in more detail later in this guide. The seemingly level elevation from point A to point B can be misleading and the giddy nature of being so close can come with a lack of focus. Hiking sandals are ok IF you're experienced hiking in muddy slippery conditions in them. Pass the little sign and stream and itll be on your right. My issue isn't with people hiking to the stairs, its with people using Moanalua to hike to the stairs and not caring about the impact they are leaving while doing so. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. We recommend packing an external back-up battery. This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding. UPDATE 02/2023: Theres still hope that the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii trail may be saved after all. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The Stairway To Heaven trail is scary, but not very dangerous in my opinion unless you goof off or do something dumb. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Follow a small path in the grass, or walk to the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is on my list of the top ten most beautiful nature places you can drive to. This is a beast of a hike, my friend says, as he slathers his face with sunscreen, the tinted kind that leaves streaks on your skin like war paint. The Oahu Stairway To Heaven was built by the US Navy in 1942, along with a radio station and giant antenna at the top of the mountain that were used to communicate with ships in the Pacific during World War II. Moanalua Valley Trail the legal back way for the Stairway To Heaven. However, dont be confused by people who tell you this is the legal way to visit the Haiku Stairs. It's not easy to find. From a timing perspective it took me 3hrs and 5 minutes but that was solo. Moanalua/Kamananui Valley Trail | Map, Guide - AllTrails You just keep heading straight up and you will eventually reach the satellite dish at the summit. Do NOT take this route. Also please pack out your trash! This trail suits two- and four-legged hikers of mostfitness levels. The views are incredible and worth every minute and mile of this trail. The stairs are priceless to many of us, and we all hope the staircase hike can be saved. Be careful. So if you're going to be later than that park outside on the street so as not to get towed. Access to the public is restricted. You have permission to edit this article. Werner Karl, you're right. The Stairway To Heaven trail is located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. I did this hike solo about a month ago. As of 2023, there have never been any falling deaths on the Stairway To Heaven Hawaii hike. FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii The Air Force has identified the airman who died Tuesday while hiking in Hawaii as Capt. Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. Aloha, for those that think this trail is legal and open to the public with no repercussions, you are wrong. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. Finiahed in 10 hours. Just because you don't see or understand the damage you are causing doesn't make it right. Moanalua Valley is a Forest Reserve. absolutely not! (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) All rights reserved. Spikes and gloves definitely help but arent 100% necessary. Bring A LOT of water, snacks, sunscreen and gloves really help for the ropes. For a complete list of LEGAL State Trails, please visit hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails Lastly, guided hikes and other commercial activity being conducted inside Moanalua valley are illegal. 14 guest maximum. Definitely not a short one. Moanalua Valley Trail (Honolulu) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Oahu Small Group Circle Island Sightseeing Tour. Cool ridge hike, 4hrs at 28 mins moving time. Basically, when you reach the top of the Moanalua Middle Ridge trail you will have great views and are within a stones throw of the satellite at the summit. It is only accessible by hiking approximately 2.5 miles up the Kamananui Valley Road Trail, where a marked sign on the left designates the trailhead. Fortunately,Oahu is full of great hikes. The trailhead is located in the back of the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park and crosses seven old cobblestone bridges while making its way up the valley floor. The first part of the trail is fairly flat and easy consisting of 17 riverbed crossings. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Whoever JT is he needs to lighten the hell up. Wow, the Haiku Stairs, although strenuous, it looks fun with great views and a sense of accomplishment at the end. 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. To get to the trailhead, park outside the Moanalua Valley Park and the trail begins just after the green gate. More recently, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi has publicly stated he may be willing to consider new options to save the Haiku Stairs, and Hawaii Senator Schatz has pitched the idea of handing it over to the federal government to renovate and operate, with a different entrance so all parties are happy. . The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs. Its Definitely challenging get rest water food. Moanalua Valley Trail - Yelp Still interested? Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. This trail in Oahu, also known as the Haiku Stairs, takes you to the top of the Koolau mountains via 3,922 metal stairs of pure adrenaline and doom. Editors Note: We love hiking! Do not attempt this hike. 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. Kamananui Valley Road | Outdoor Project 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? Moanalua Middle Ridge is a challenging, 11- to 12-mile, out-and-back hike in Central Oahu, a journey that, more or less, takes eight hours to complete. and news flash, every part of Hawaii is sacred! Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram @mike.karas or email me at mikekarasphotography@gmail.com if youd like to join or like gear for the hike I have plenty of microspikes and gloves. In any case, just be aware that fines of up to $1,000 have occasionally been given out to people caught climbing the staircase. So windy with no microspikes, gloces. If you want to go hike, I'm not stopping you. Test first before committing your weight on it. There is a little sign right before accession, go to the left and instead of keeping left, take the middle right path up. Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. Please be respectful to the place we call home and follow the rules. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. Id allow a good 4hrs to hike if with a group and more time if the conditions are windy or muddy. To put it another way, THIS HIKE IS ILLEGAL. For me personally, it was well worth any of the risks involved!
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