Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Travel Tip Thursday: Koko Head Crater Trail

Remember the bitchy little preview the other day?

Well, here it is. Koko Head Crater Trail. A giant StairMaster into the sky (or the top of a dormant volcano, however you would prefer to call it).

Come along... let us begin at the beginning.



A couple of women passed me with Starbucks cups. I wondered if they'd have to pee off the trail later on.


There's a trellis bridge kind of thingy about half way up. Luckily, a group of very nice young hikers appeared at the trail that went around this and therefore made it possible for me to not worry about my dog falling through the slats.


The hikers also told me how they had hiked up in the dark in order to be at the top for the sunrise. At 7:00 AM I still had some nice after effects.



BC waited a lot.

No camera effects. This is exactly what it looked like.


Yea. The top. That is Diamond Head in the background. You are looking down at Hawaii Kai and Koko Head Marina.

Post sunrise looking East.

That's my shadow. I also took a photo for the girls with their own camera.


It's true. Whatever goes up must come down.

You can imagine the wonderful nap that can be had after a morning of stair hiking.
Got a travel tip? Been some place you'd like to share? Link on up with Mr Linky.

25 comments:

mo.stoneskin said...

I love the photos, makes me want to trek up there one morning before work...ok, so I'd be late in to work...hope you didn't find the Starbucks cups discarded later on!

Shadow said...

would love to do that too.

cheatymoon said...

So cool!! How long did it take?
I wish I had a linky for you... ack.

Michele said...

That looks exhausting and beautiful but mostly exhausting. I love that BC waited for you. Mine Beloved Bandit would have done the same. Thank you for sharing.

Little Ms Blogger said...

Okay, I can see why so ummm cranky the other morning - that picture, the one looking straight up, is INSANE.

Kudos to you for mastering it.

Brian Miller said...

wonderful pics! i would love to hike that trail....the view is amazing!

Kristan said...

Wow, BC is a trooper! (As are you, obviously.) Riley doesn't particularly like stairs unless he can see the top & bottom, so I'm not sure how he'd feel about this hike... :P

Ginny Marie said...

That looks like one steep hike! I always think coming down is much worse than going up! But the view...gorgeous!

Jen said...

In all my trips to Hawaii I never took those hikes. That needs to change. What a beautiful dog. Border Collie?

Jack said...

I am not a fan of heights so this hike would take all my physical + mental strength but I'm sure the reward would be worth it.

Breathtaking views!

CiCi said...

Hawaii Kai is where my son and DIL live. Great photos. Quite a hike, huh.

Twenty Four At Heart said...

I could make it up three of those stairs.
I think.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Train tracks, a hike and a view (and a really cute dog); sounds like a wonderful morning!

Sprite's Keeper said...

Absolutely beautiful! It makes me look forward to the beach tomorrow even more!

Heather said...

Wow those pics nearly took me there. I love that the trail is old train tracks. Wonder why they are there? Do they continue down the other side? Anyway, very neat!

You definately have way more get up and go, than I do. Whew I'm tired already!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Those women with the Starbucks cups definitely did have to. And they did.

Thank goodness you didn't have to walk across that train-track- looking bridge. There is NO WAY I'd have done it (much less with a dog and kids) with no guard rails or sedatives.

The pictures are beautiful, and the hike sounds like fun. Except for that one trellis bridge kind of thingy with no guard rails--or sedatives.

Joanie said...

I love reading your blog posts when you have pictures included!

Beth said...

First of all, I LOVE BC! Second, I love how you take pictures to describe the scenery. And last, I want to go to Hawaii!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

WOW! I am sooooooo jealous of the climb, the ability, the view and the photo op!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

You should be doing the happy dance that you were able to make it to the top and not have to lay down!

Happy Easter! Have a glorious weekend!!!

Captain Dumbass said...

I can imagine that nap. Think I'll hike up the stairs to my bedroom and have one.

sage said...

Looks like a place to check out if i ever break down and end up in Hawaii. I need to get back in to the travel tip Thursday posts...

Mrsbear said...

Wow! Although just looking down those stairs gives me a bit of vertigo. Deep breaths.

Joanna Jenkins said...

I am VERY impressed. I would need to be flight lifted in and out of there. That climb would be the end of me. But what a glorious view when you got to the top!

Yeah you!
xo

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Awesome photos! Wow!

Anonymous said...

BC is adorable, waiting so patiently :-)