More Recommendations
Unlikely Art with a View
Unlikely as it may be, if you climb the steps to 1208ft (or 368m) at Kokohead, there is quite a bit of street art...er, trail art. Usually spotting the tagging at the conclusion of an intense and beautiful hike is a disappointment, but the colorful giraffe graffiti on the old cement military outposts at the summit of the Koko Crater made me smile and added a bit of visual delight to an otherwise typical aqua-marine and tropical-green Hawaiian landscape.
Koko Head Workout with a View
The first time I climbed Koko Head, I was not prepared for how much energy I needed to reach the top of the 1048 “steps.” From the bottom, the straight line of railroad ties up the side of the crater seems easy, but the appearance is deceiving. The next time I climbed Koko Head, I made sure I had eaten a meal before and brought twice as much water, which made a world of difference! This hike isn’t for the faint of heart. Do not be discouraged by the occasional runners who bound up the stair steps like they are lighter than air. They most certainly run the railroad steps every other day. (To really appreciate this photo, click to view it full size. At the bottom, a climber wrote some encouraging words: “You’re Awesome! Almost There!”)
