Koko Crater

Tom and I decided to tackle Koko Crater on our second full day. It was a mild overcast day, not too sunny, and seemed to be suitable for a lengthy hike up an exposed ridge.

We got our first real look at what we were in for when we pulled into the parking lot.

Are those tiny dots people??

Wow, that's ... a lot of stairs.

The official count is 1048 stairs, it turns out ("stairs" being a generous term for what are really railroad ties!). They're not really evenly spaced, either, or very steady in some places. At around "stair" number 500, there's a sketchy bridge, followed up a sharp increase in the angle of ascent.


It was really something.

But when you finally make it to the top, the views are spectacular.

Waikiki with Diamond Head Crater (think that looks like a good climb? Hmm).

(Did I mention it was very windy out?)

Koko Head, with Hanauma Bay nestled in the middle.

The only problem is, you have to go down eventually.

Aw, crud.

It was great, but exhausting!

We went swimming at Waimanalo Beach after that! Phew!