Jasmin joined me on a nice rim stroll around Koko Crater. Yes Koko Crater, not Koko Head.

Koko Crater

We passed through head high dry brush grass and rusty barbed wire to gain the rim.

Koko Crater

Jasmin making her way up the initial steep climb up the rim.

Koko Crater

Cylindrical cacti stems sprouting from the rocky crevices.

Koko Crater

Panoramic view of Jasmin rimming the crater.

Koko Crater

This clump of distinctive looking trees used to tower above the rim line until the wind or old age bowed it over.

Koko Crater

Jasmin in search of dragon fruits to pick. It was going to be a disappointing day.

Koko Crater Puka

Not as well known as the other ones scattered at Makapu’u and Pali.

Koko Crater

Relaxing on the pile of rocks. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Koko Crater

Typical windy day on the rim. Just ask my hair.

Koko Crater

And the prestigious award goes to …

Koko Crater Summit

The rim sure beats taking the 1,048 steps up to the 1,200′ summit. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Koko Crater

Excuse me. Passing through.

Koko Crater

Sitting down and soaking in the views. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Koko Crater

We crossed paths with a couple other hikers who had come up from the arch.

Koko Crater

Jasmin skirting her way underneath the overhanging rock.

Koko Crater

We can see the arch.

Koko Crater Arch

Hikers coming, going and staying at the arch.

Koko Crater Arch

Jasmin making her way down the relatively smooth faced topside of the arch.

Koko Crater

Mauka (mountain) end of the arch …

Koko Crater

… to the makai (ocean) end of the arch.

Koko Crater

Jasmin looking for the drone in the sky. Too windy.

All pau

We made the dangerous car crossing of Kalanianaole Highway to wait at the Halona Blowhole Lookout. Thanks to Ray for taking us back to our cars. Short hike didn’t warrant a post hike meal. People to see. Places to go. Photo by Jasmin Nepomuceno.

Note: I have been made aware the some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Koko Crater at 1,028 feet high, dominates the Hawaii Kai skyline. If you look closely, you can usually find ants of people going up and down the mountain. After reading countless posts about what a great hike this is and how it beats a stairmaster, I decided to give it a try. After driving into Koko Head District Park and parking next to the baseball field named after Mike Goeas, a former police officer that founded the PAL football program in Hawaii Kai. I followed the road until I hit the tram tracks that starts the climb towards Koko Crater.

Trailhead

There are reputedly 1,048 railroad ties or steps to the top. The tram tracks was built by the Army during WW2 to haul supplies to the top of the mountain. And no, I didn’t bother to count the steps going up. I was too busy just trying to make it to the top!

The Bridge

About half-way to the top, the ground gives way to a gully that’s about 10-15 feet deep. So now, the tram tracks serves as a bridge of sorts. It was around this point, that I kicked myself for leaving my water bottle in the car. I thought I wouldn’t need it. Wrong! The sun beating down on me didn’t help matters much. I thought about going back to get the water, but knew if I did, that I wouldn’t be coming back. So after a break, I continued my climb to the top.

Back on solid ground!

About 50 feet or so, the gully ends and the tracks are back on solid ground. For those leery of heights or not as sure-footed, there is a trail to the right that goes around the gully and connects to the tracks when it meets solid ground again.

Give me some water!

I felt sorry for this dog, as he didn’t look too keen on making this climb. At least, he was going back down. Coming down, hikers and dogs have the right of way, just step to the side and let them pass.

Are we there yet?

I believe this is the steepest part of the mountain. When I finally made it to the top, I found two older women chatting away, congratulating me on getting to the top. They told me that they do this every week! I really need to get back into shape!

View from the top

It took me roughly 35 minutes to make it to the top of Koko Crater or Pu’u Ma’i. I heard the “regulars” shoot for 20 minutes and some even run up and down the tracks. I was happy with my time! You can see Kuapa Pond in Hawaii Kai and Diamond Head in the distance from the top of the abandoned heliport.

Hanauma Bay

Looking to the left, you can see the breached volcano crater of Hanauma Bay and the companion tuff cone of Koko Head.

Botanical Garden

Peering over the crater rim of 200 acres of the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, looks all the same from up here! You can also see Makapu’u Point in the distance. After soaking in the views, it was time to go back down and guzzle my water that I left in my car! This hike is relatively easy, as it’s straight going up and down, parts of the ground supporting the tram tracks are eroded and you just have to watch your step, especially going down and always bring water.