For those who read my Blogging at 35,000 feet post, you know I just went to (and now returned from) Hawaii for a 5 day trip. Three days of being lazy (sort of) and sight seeing a bit, and 2 days of an intense CRS convention (look for an upcoming post on that).
Diamond Head State Monument (yep, it’s a mountain, well, actually it’s a crater believed to have been created about 300,000 years ago by a brief eruption) offers a great 30-45 minute hike (or a little longer one way depending on your physical condition and energy level) up about 560 feet to the summit (761 feet above sea level) where you can relish the 360-degree views of the island of Oahu.
The trail was built in 1908 as part of the U.S. Army Coastal Artillery Defense System, and was used by mules to haul materials to the peak for the construction of the Fire Control Station, portions of which remain.
The trail include a bunch of switchbacks, 4 sets of stairs (one set of 54 metal stairs, one a spiral staircase) and a lighted 225-foot tunnel, but amazing views to distract you along the way.
The name Diamond Head became popular back in the late 1700s because traders and Western explorers visited and mistook the calcite crystals that are in the rocks to be diamonds. The Hawaiian name for Diamond Head is Lē’ahi.
The fee is $1 (a bargain, considering the views) and they recommend water, a flashlight for the tunnel (not REALLY needed but useful) and hiking shoes or tennis shoes (OK, I hiked up in my reef sandals). It is absolutely worth a couple of hours of time, and just a short cab ride from Waikiki.
Enjoy the photos of our trek up Diamond Head.
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Jeff,
Very jealous...if I could go one place it would be Hawaii...the travel is very long for me probably double what you had to do...but I will definitely make it there one day. Nice shots of Diamond Head.
Sally - thanks. I'm not sure it does justice to the true beauty of the hike but it sure was fun, It was such fun to finally meet you!
Jeff
Thesa - oooh, too bad. What a pain ('scuse the pun). Get well soon! This was a great hike (even in my sandals!).
Jeff
Brian - wow, what a great place to spend so much time. You should just go back sometime!
Jeff
Neal - well that's why I had never been before when living in Boston - over a 12 hour flight. It was easier to go to the Caribbean.
Jeff
Thanks, Linda. I appreciate the compliment. It was really lots of fun (thank goodness it was not raining that day!).
Jeff
Thanks, Diane. Yep, the CRS meeting was great and I am working on a post about it.
Jeff
George - LOL. Well Sally had her chance to go on about Diamond Head and I don't think she has yet. But she can refer people to my post if she wants. :)
Jeff
Kay knows me so well. :)
Jeff
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa. The photos do not do justice to the scenery, and it was lots of fun. I'm glad I remembered about the group Things to Do. I don;t always remember.
Jeff
Georgina - yes, this was proabbly the BEST sunny days we had. Several others were mostly rain. But at least it was warm! Sorry we did not get to see you at the AR event in Honolulu.
Jeff
Jeff/Kay,
I can recall every stop you made to take the photos. It is awesome. What about the narrow exit at the top of the hike to get outside once you've climbed it? As short as I am, I also felt overwhelmed squeezing through it.
Marlene - well, kinda late to the party...It was really fun, including the SQUEEZE. We had quite a traffic jam there. I would absolutely go again if I visit Honolulu.
Jeff
Latonia - yep, the exit at the top was a challenge. There was a long line waiting to come down AND a line backed up down the circular stairs coming up. By the time we had to leave there were no issues. It was GREAT fun and the views were incredible. And the stairs to get out on top WERE tiny. I felt a bit claustrophobic.
Jeff