Oahu Photographer Takes on Koko Head
I had always wanted to hike up Koko Head. I moved here, nearly five years ago and it was definitely on my bucket list. I’ve been going on a lot of moderate hikes lately and felt that maybe it was time to tackle the beast. I had done some research on the hike and had my doubts. Could I do it? There is a daunting count of 1,048 steps. Let me repeat that, ONE THOUSAND FOURTY EIGHT STEPS. The steps are not your typical steps I read. They were old wooden rail way ties and a mix of dirt. No where to go but UP, UP and UP. The online photos had me scared. I am afraid of heights. Where would I look took keep me from certain dizzyness. I asked my friends on FaceBook. They said, “Look Up!, one step at a time.” Ok, I could do that… but what about on the way down?! What was I to do?! I’ll tell you what I did… I went with my hiking buddy, who’s name is also Jennifer and we psyched each other up. “One step at a time.” “If it’s too much, we’ll come back down.” “We’ll go as far as we can and rest as much as we needed.” “We could do this.” … and that’s exactly what we did.
We arrived right around 9am. Parked the car, did some muscle stretches and made our beginning walk to the trail head. Here’s my friend Jenn at the start of our incline.
I just kept looking up… one step at a time… the first half, isn’t so bad. The incline is not yet too steep. There was a much read about bridge that I had to cross that, quite frankly, scared me to death. Luckily, there is a dirt trail to the side that I took. I did not go near that bridge for fear that I would slip through the steps and meet impending hurt, dizzyness or doom. This is me sitting off to the side, catching my breath and marveling at the view. If you check in on your phone, one of the options is “Stairs of Doom”. They are not kidding. This mountain is a beast. Certain to get your heart racing and your thighs burning. If you enjoy this kind of stuff… what a FABULOUS workout!
View of Hanauma Bay.
There were all kinds of people on the stairs. Locals who have lived her for decades, coming for the first time (that would be my friend Jenn). Folks who make Koko Head their weekly or daily workout going up and down the hill. Visitors from all over, some baby wearing, some holding hands with their friend encouraging each other to keep pushing onward.
Step #500…
It took us about an hour to get to the top. What a beautiful, beautiful reward to reach the destination.
Savoring that view.
My friend Jenn at the cliff’s edge. I’m way too chicken to get to the ledge. She was booty scooting over to it for me to take a quick snap. You can see the ridge of the mountain there and the valley below… breathtaking!
We savored and meandered about for about 45 minutes up at the top. Ate a little snack and just marveled at Mother Nature and Goddess Hawaii…. we also high fived each other for making it up.
View of Portlock and Hawaii Kai area.
That’s me!
There’s a prayer box and a bell to chime when you are at the top. I’m so thankful for a wonderful life.
Going up is one thing. Coming down is entirely another. We began our descent down and it went so much faster, but the different muscles used going down were aching. My legs were burning. Less cardio used going down because (at least for me), it wasn’t taking my body much effort to go down as it was to go up, but my legs were fatigued. My knee joints were aching and the top of my toes were hurting with each hard step I took. I remember saying to myself.. “I just WANT OFF THIS MOUNTAIN!” It took us about 2 3/4 hours in all to complete this hike.. complete with plenty of rest stops and savoring the view at the top.
Finally made it down… that’s Jenn holding a Polaroid I took of her at the top… if you are wanting to experience Koko Head and are not used to hiking or the gym stair master, I would recommend hiking it toward the end of your vacation. It literally took me about 4 days to recover. I have stairs in my house so I kept feeling the burn. You definitely want to enjoy your vacation with capable legs! If you have knee problems, I’d skip it. Definitely go as early as you can as the sun becomes a factor the warmer it gets. Bring lots of water and a snack when you reach the top to refuel yourself. Sunscreen a must, proper footwear a must. The views are definitely worth it. I don’t know if I want to go on this hike again, I’m on the fence, but I am definitely proud of myself for taming the beast!!!
Shot on 35mm Canon Elan 7, Kodak Ektar 100 Film, Developed by RPL
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Best Affordable Oahu Photographer, Jennifer Brotchie, specializes in family photo shoots and portraits at the beach as well as engagement/couples shoots and senior portraits. Serving fun families lodging in Waikiki, Disney Aulani, Four Seasons and Marriott in KoOlina, Turtle Bay Resort in North Shore,Lanikai,Kahala and all points between. Beach photography sessions available in the morning and for sunset. Family Vacation Photos, Engagement Couples Photo Sessions, Waikiki Portrait Sessions
