stairway to heaven

On Saturday for my birthday I thought it would be fun to do something different. Christian's mom was in town and offered to take Tristan if we wanted to go play, so we did! (Thank you, thank you!) For many years when Christian and I would drive on the H3 we would try and spot the Ha'iku Stairs, aka Stairway to Heaven, along the side and up the ridge. It freaked us out and always intimidated us. Plus, we always heard that it was closed and there was a guard that hung out at the base, kicking people out. I imagined him there, with a rifle, shooting people that attempted it. So we never went to check it out.

Just a few historical facts about the stairs: It began as a wooden ladder and was installed in 1943 to enable the construction of antenna cables between two valleys. These radio signals could also reach US Navy submarines, even while under the water. At the highest peak of the stairs, it is 2,800 ft. In the 1950's, the wooden stairs were replaced with metal steps and the building at the peak was then used by the US Coast Guard as a navigation system. 3,922 steps! The trail remains closed due to community complaints and neighborhood traffic.

After hearing many successful hiking stories from close friends we thought that we would give it a try! The guard goes on duty at 6:00 am, therefore, we left our house at 4:45 to get started on the trail at 5:30. We beat the guard! And it was still dark.

(A million pictures below. Sorry! I couldn't narrow it down)

The sun rising.

The highway and cars getting smaller and smaller. This is the part of the trail where the sides just dropped off.

We just accomplished a steep ladder climb and turned around to take a picture.

Do we seriously live here? Unreal.

The sunrise reflecting on the mountains.

Secretly wanting to die. Even before we reached half way, Christian and I had to pull off because we felt like throwing up. After the half way point, it got a lot easier.

Wanting to hurl a little.

Chinaman's hat in the distance.

We reached one of the bunkers. Very cool and old.

Our friend Jen met up with us about half way. She's pretty hardcore and caught up with us.

I believe that this was an old pulley used to bring up equipment. I love old, rusty ruins.

Breathtaking. It looks like a painting.

This is where our final destination was. Almost there!

After a couple of hours, we finally made it to heaven! It was freezing up there, but amazing! We were so high up!

My cute and curious husband couldn't stop there and wondered if the trail continued.

and there he goes.

Next time we will be prepared to continue on that ridge. He found a well worn trail that looks like it is used pretty frequently. Where does it go? We've only heard myths and legends...

Just hanging out in heaven, with steep cliffs on both sides of us.

It only took about an hour to head back down. It destroyed my knee a little but over all, we did just fine. No other injuries. Or bugs! It was a perfect day, with perfect weather.

Opps, we must have missed this sign when we came in, it was too dark. We did get a chance to walk past the 'scary guard with a rifle' on our way back to the car. He was actually really chill and was asking hikers if they wanted their pictures taken. Funny. No sniper rifle.

We are a little sore but so glad that we did it and will will be ready to go again soon. Anyone want to join us?