A view through the clouds on the Stairway to Heaven.
By Miguel Gonzalez
Editor
(Honolulu)– There’s nothing like a good hike. But what if that hike could take you into what locals here in Honolulu call the Stairway to Heaven?
With the help of the amazing GoPro Hero 2, managing editor Melanie Gonzalez and I took on this challenge of over 3,000 steps and over 2,600 feet of altitude that leads you into the peak of one of the most beautiful places on earth. To document this hike, I was able to use the head strap provided by GoPro and it was a lifesaver since I needed both my hands at all times during this hike to prevent any unwanted accidents.
Our journey began early around 1:30 AM as we got together to climb Stairway to Heaven, also known as Haiku Stairs, which are located in the Kaneohe mountains. The hike acquired this name because on most days you are able to climb past the clouds on your way to the summit.
The weather that night was humid and voggy, which only made our experience a little more difficult as the stairs were slippery during our climb and our descent.
Reaching the summit of the Stairway to Heaven took us about an hour and twenty minutes, which were very challenging because we had to climb in the darkness of the early morning hours.
Regardless, climbing this mountain was an amazing experience because of the great views we were able to see and because of the fact that we were able to admire a lot of vegetation that only grows in the mountain areas of Kaneohe. Much of the vegetation can be seen in this video filmed by our GoPro Hero 2, which also captured in high definition, the essence and the tranquility of this magical hike.
The views from the summit are incredible and we were able to see the sunrise which was yet another treat. Climbing down the mountain was also an experience of itself, since at times, we had to climb backwards to ensure that we were safe at these incredible heights.
The Stairway to Heaven trail was closed to the public in 1987, however, hikers continue to ignore the no trespassing signs and continue to climb. It is highly recommended that you wear gloves during this hike to protect your hands from rails that have suffered from corrosion and can create blisters because of the pressure of the climb.
Overall, Stairway to Heaven is definitely a must hike when you are in Honolulu. Stay tuned to our YouTube channel for more reports on local hikes and adventures on what to do when you’re in Hawaii.
