The Moanalua Valley Trail is mostly flat and ventures through tropical forest but kind of stops in the middle of nothing. There is also a cliff diving spot at one of the falls. Hawaii, like any other state, has property laws. 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. Bring water & food. You can see the windward side of Oahu island with Kaneohe Bays sandbars, and an amphitheater of mountains surrounding you on all sides. 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. 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. Keep in mind climbing begins over 2 miles from start point. Mahalo! Generally considered a challenging route. The road eventually turns to an unimproved road and later a narrow trail. 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. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Capt. Moanalua Valley Trail Hiking Trail - Pearl City, HI - Trailforks Foster Botanical Garden is a loop trail that is used for walking and nature trips located near Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii. (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.) He was taken to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where he was pronounced dead, the Air Force said. 12. There are four pieces of gear that I simply never forget when I go on a hike. Once up on the ridge, the view is absolutely incredible! You can also reach out for info/if you have other questions about the hike or other hikes here. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The cool, breezy path goes through a lush forest and contains seven bridges with stream fords. A City and County park provides bathrooms, potable water and garbage cans at the trail head. A man who was hiking Hawaii's Olomana Trail reportedly plummeted hundreds of feet to his death on Sunday after he reportedly tried to grab his hat, marking the fourth death linked to the dangerous trail since 2011. If you want to do a guided hike anywhere on State Lands, please ask the guide to see a copy of their commercial use permit, issued by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Nathan Stowell, 25, died on Sunday after falling 400 feet off a hiking trail of Hawaii's Mount Olomana. This is quite the work out and worth the view. Hike the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail to the Haiku Stairs Peak. He was a freelance writer and journalism teacher in China from 2006-2009. Make sure you bring snacks and lots of water. The final major rope section was a steep gravel wall at an aggressive angle that required you to pull yourself up with the rope. I really hope they dont do that. The World Travel Guy 2023 Additionally, there are several inclines and declines with poor footing. Otherwise, as with many other Hawaiian hikes, closed means be prepared, respectful, and most of all, not stupid, Is anyone interested in doing the hike Tues 11/13 or Wed 11/14? Watch out for roots as this is the largest risk as you climb. The small section damaged by the storm is not steep. Ghosts and Night Marchers in Moanalua Mysteries of Hawai'i Word to the wise: count the crossings, but don't take them as gospel. Park off the Old Pali Highway before the lookout in the dirt parking lot. Despite the drop-offs, the trail is quite well protected and unless it is a very windy day you should be fine unless you have little experience on ridges or with heights. Officials said he collapsed while hiking the Moanalua Valley. We make our initial ascent. This is known as the back way for the Stairway To Heaven. BLOG POST: If you are interested in my experience (many years ago) hiking the Stairway to Heaven the regular way you can check out my blog post here: STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN HIKE ON OAHU, HAWAII: UPDATED 2021, OAHU HIKING GUIDE: Ive written a guide for the top hikes on Oahu that I am sure you will find useful: TOP 10 HIKES ON OAHU, HAWAII. Looking to hike this this week if anybody wants to go .msg insta @allispichkooo :), Aloha! There is danger involved with traversing a mountain's ridgeback, an absurdly obvious fact that's slightly deceiving during the first leg of this trek, which begins at Moanalua Valley Park, a flat, straightforward 3-mile walk into Kamananui Valley. (Google Maps calls it Moanalua Valley Trail Start.) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! The Kamananui Valley Road is a perfect hike for all ages and offers access to many other hiking trails in the Moanalua Valley. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. We dont know for sure what happened, but its more likely his death happened on the steep and muddy Moanalua trail, not the stairway. Such an exhilarating trail that really puts your body and mind to the ultimate test. Shortly after the 17th crossing, you should see a sign for the Kulana'ahane trail (note: Do NOT take this). Create a password that only you will remember. There is parking in the park parking lot, but it's only open from 7 am to 7 pm. The stairs were then opened to the public until 1987 when they were deemed unsafe because of disrepair. At another, I cut up my knuckles clawing for exposed roots to keep from tumbling down the rugged spine. I will never endorse anything fake or not worth considering. Stick to the main trailfollow a tributary path, and you may wind up in Waimano Valley. I think its best to begin just after sunrise as it can be quite a hot, exposed trail if you leave it too late in the day for the ascent. I hope my travels give you the motivation to set off on an epic adventure of your own. The valley itself is historical, with the earliest human inhabitants dating back to the 1500s. In this web series,we bring you our favorite Oahu trails once a month. The Best of Hawai'i's Great Outdoors: 20 Great O'ahu Hikes Moanalua Valley is a Forest Reserve. No skate shoes.) Super muddy, have to cross the river to complete. Some of the links in my content may be affiliate links. Dinner and Show Tickets. Too many litterbugs on the island sadly. At this point, it becomes a ridge walk as you keep gradually ascending to the radio tower, and even on a cloudy day the views are spectacular. The first mile on this trail climbs 900 feet in elevation and is primarily through trees. In this section, I will explain a little bit about each area and share with you the details for exploring this summit area. 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. Hoomaluhia means "to make a place of peace and tranquility." Eventually you will crest on a peak with a sign pointing the way you've come, the first indication of the trails actual name of "Middle Ridge". More advanced hike along the ridge line. "I am so proud of the leader you became and the passion with which you tackled your maintenance profession. -Good shoes. Moanalua Valley Trail is the back route and legal access to the Haiku Stairs, which is illegal to access from the front stairway. It will take you through a creek bed, where the trail is fairly obvious to find. Thanks for looking! 30 BEST HIKES ON OAHU, HAWAII - Journey Era 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. The 31-year-old native of New York was assigned to the 15th. Moanalua Valley Trail to the Haiku Stairs is the only legal trail, and it is recommended for very experienced hikers. No experience and with a 8 year old. At the beginning, a large monkeypod tree leads to the Douglas Damon house site. Moanalua (Kamananui) Valley Trail on Oahu. Not a must, but its often raining, and windy. Crouching Lion and Sacred Falls are other examples. Our biggest priority is taking care of his family and supporting his fellow Wingmen. I was lucky enough to have climbed on a windless morning, but any wind will add to the complexity and risk to the hike. Thats how it works everywhere else, and its why so many wonderful hiking trails like Angels Landing are still open in the mainland United States after all these years. I hope this clears up YEARS of misconceptions about this trail. If people cared more about the "nature" that they so desperately enjoy in this valley, then I wouldn't even be on here. The first part of the hike takes you through a bamboo forest. He was Stars and Stripes roving Pacific reporter from 2011-2013 while based in Tokyo. TEEN GIRL DIES IN FALL FROM CLIFF HIKE AT ZION NATIONAL PARK. adventures and follow local regulations. The Moanalua Valley Trail takes you up a steep, strenuous dirt path with ropes and no stairs. 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. per adult. Dont attempt this hike when its raining or for a couple of days after heavy rain. Ive done both hikes many times over the years, and I have to say there is really no comparison in terms of difficulty. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At some points, the stairs of death are almost vertical, clinging to the side of the steep mountain. -Headlamp. Here are my hiking essentials. Loved every minute of it! 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 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. Continue on the main trail up and up and up. At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, you will catch your first glimpse of the radio tower/satellite. You can see everythingKaneohe, Kailua, Mokolii (akaChinamans Hat), Olomana and the H-3 snaking its way through it alland Im basking in the extraordinary sight of how miniature life looks from up above. However, it is infrequent and often there is no one up there and you can explore if you choose to. Ask bognarofsydney about Moanalua Valley Trail. Put a damn police officer in the station at the top and fine them and arrest them if you dont want people there. The walk would be a little longer but easy on the flat road. 00:00 01:00 Only In Your State Step 3 Take the Red Hill/Moanalua Valley exit (exit 2) and turn right on Ala Aolani Street. Pass the little sign and stream and itll be on your right. The hike follows the Moanalua Valley Trail before connecting up the Moanalua Middle Ridge, which is the legal backway to the Stairway to Heaven (Haiku Stairs) satellite summit. The city of Honolulu spent almost a million dollars repairing the stairs and was considering re-opening the stairs in 2002 but resident complaints and safety concerns halted the re-opening and the stairs have been closed ever since. Start hiking along the road/trail just past the bathrooms. Every time I turned around to look back towards the city, the view just kept getting better and better. My issue is with the multiple bags of rubbish and litter in the valley that I've personally removed. Park in the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park parking lot at 1857 Ala Aolani St. As you walk up the dirt road, you will reach a chain link gate leading to the dirt road. Your selfish Instagram post is at the expense of destroying the island's fragile eco-diversity. 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. It was actually easier to me than Mount Olympus , just a LOTTTTTT longer. The Kullana'ahane is a better marker. Market data provided by Factset. The views are incredible and worth every minute and mile of this trail. The view is wonderful worth the hike. It was gorgeous & worth all the aches later lol. She was . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Preview trail Thousands of people hike this trail every year and no one has ever died by falling. This is a review for hiking the Moanalua Valley to Middle Ridge to Tripler Ridge (AKA the legal back way to the Stairway to Heaven) and then down the stairs. We rest here for a while, towering above the island. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Don't. All Rights Reserved. The trail takes you to the same lookout as the Haiku Stairs. Charges usually start at about $10,000 and go up from there. Dont forget to check out my other Oahu hiking guides and my complete list of the best things to do in Oahu Hawaii! Stowell's body was found roughly 400 feet below the hiking trail, where he was pronounced dead. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Leads to the Kulana'Ahane Trail - Review of Moanalua Valley Trail No more news yet. Really bites that we struggled through mud for miles and never found the trail. This will lead you to an open grassy valley that gives you spectacular views of the valley. 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. Once you get through the initial flat part, there is a really difficult part - but I promise it gets better after about 20 minutes. If you do choose to continue on past the legal boundary and to the illegal area of the radio tower and reach the Haiku Stairs, this is what you can expect. Fortunately,Oahu is full of great hikes. 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. I did this hike solo about a month ago. Ironically, the general consensus is that the stairs are actually a safer and easier route to the top of the mountain. 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 After you reach the first platform, the hike flattens out quite a bit and things get much easier. Plan accordingly. It all goes back to a history of lawsuits from people getting injured while hiking in Oahu and then suing the state. I think even not super experienced hikers can complete as long as they take at their own pace. Fun hike. So if you're going to be later than that park outside on the street so as not to get towed. HONOLULU (KITV4) Honolulu Fire received an emergency 911 call about hikers in distress on the Moanalua Valley Trail on Friday evening. Theres a tree branch that has Middle Ridge carved into it as a reference point. Choose wisely! Moanalua Valley Trail to Haiku Stairs (Legal 'Backway' to Stairway to Theres a lot to do here, you can even camp and fish. Air Force captain who died during Hawaii hike remembered as 'leader Yes, technically it is illegal to climb the Oahu Haiku Stairs since theyre closed to the public. (iStock). Posted on Last updated: February 22, 2022. We put on our microspikes at the riverbed and they were handy all the way to the summit. The trailhead area below the stairs is patrolled by a security guard around the clock, and sometimes the Honolulu police are called. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Cool ridge hike, 4hrs at 28 mins moving time. Theres something really special about this hike, and I still consider it one of the highlights of my life. Please be prepared! Its been a wild ride. People claim the stairs are dangerous but they are a lot safer than climbing the mountains without stairs which is what people are doing to avoid breaking the law (but then they get on the stairs at the top for photos). At the peak of the Moanalua Middle Ridge Trail, the view of the abandoned Radio Tower comes into view. We will be hiking in later June so probably drier. Winds were rough as gusts reached up to 40 mph but not once did we feel our lives were threatened. Staying on the trail greatly reduces your chances of getting injured or lost. Its actually one of the safest parts of the hike IMO. The left goes to the valley. There is a bathroom and water at the park only. In terms of cardio its definitely a workout. You'll enjoy sweeping views of southern Oahu on this 10.4-mile roundtrip hike. The only death Im aware of was caused by a heart attack in a middle aged hiker (that steep ascent to platform one can be strenuous). 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. Lastly, you could also be billed for emergency services if youre somehow injured and need to be rescued while doing this hike. 44 Hawaiian and Pidgin Phrases Every Visitor Needs to Know, 20 Thoughts Every Hiker has had on the Trail Up Koko Head Crater, Shop These 5 Sophisticated Aloha Shirt Brands, The Enduring Nostalgia of Hawaii's Historic Drive-In Restaurants, Find Solitude and Serenity at the Waipio Wayside Bed and Breakfast, How (And Where) To Watch the Massive Waves on Oahu's North Shore. While you cant legally step foot on the stairs or satellite summit area, you can make it all the way up to that area so this route is a great alternative to the controversial and heavily regulated Haiku Stairs (the front way). This breathtaking gem was built in 1982 by the US Army Corps of Engineering to prevent flooding. 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. or redistributed. A guy yelled and cussed at us and sprayed us with water with blue dye. The trail was washing away. "One couldnt help but be in a good mood when you were around.". -2L water MINIMUM. Ive done most of the hikes on the island before. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Disappointed that I didnt have a chance to make that trek. 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. Hiking can be dangerous, and not every trail is a good idea for every person. Be prepared for lots of mud! The fine is reportedly $1000 if you are ticketed at the summit or on the stairs.

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