Diamond Head Hike (Oahu): 4/26/2015 (Late Blog Entry)

Hike: Diamond Head State Monument

Date: 04/26/2015

Distance/Gain: 1.5 miles, 560 ft. of gain

Highest Point: 761 ft

Rating: 7/10

Pros: Panoramic views, ease of hike

Cons: Crowds

Well this is a little different from my usual Washington State hikes, but Ill add it in as a Vacation hike.  While not the most taxing hike (more accurately a groomed walking path,) I have ever taken on, the 1.5 mile  560 ft of gain hike will work up a sweat, especially with the Oahu weather!  The drive to the trail head is a shore couple of miles out of town, and your drive up right into the crater.


The Diamond head hike has a nice easy elevation gain, with a switch back or two along the way.  The toughest part of the hike is the staircase (which you can chose to bypass altogether) that leads up to the main bunker.


You will encounter droves of other tourists, wearing anything from dinner clothes to trail running gear, and everything in between.  If you are searching for solitude hiking Diamond head will not provide it, however the people watching can be entertaining in itself.

When its all said and done, its a must do "hike" if you are ever in Oahu. And its cool to think that you are hiking up an old Volcano crater/ converted military base.  But I will take my Washington State solitude 99 times out of a 100!

                                              

Get out there!

Colchuck Lake: 5/28/15

Hike: Colchuck Lake

Date: 05/28/15

Distance/Gain: 8.0 miles, 2,280 ft. of gain

Highest Point: 5580 ft

Rating: 8/10

Pros: Beautiful lake, scenic hike, access to fresh water

Cons: Crowds (On weekends), distance to drive to.

After attempting Damfino lake to Excelsior ridge last week without success (lost trail in the snow,)  I decided I needed to get my first full hike of the summer out of the way.  I woke up at 4:45 am and chose Colchuck lake as my destination, and for my first taste of the "Enchantments."

As far of a drive as it was (about 2hrs 45 mins,) there is something fun about getting up at the crack of dawn, and driving across the pass for a solo hike. I cant accurately put it into words, but everyone should try it if you have the chance.

I arrived at the trail head at 9:00 to a semi full parking lot.  I had flashbacks to a post I read on NWhikers.net, about running into 100+ people on this same trail on memorial day weekend. At about 9:10 I was on my way up the trail.

The hike starts out with an easy mile and a half, creek side walk through the forest.  About a mile in, I passed a couple that were taking in the views of the creek.  To my surprise, those would be the only people that I passed on the way to the lake.  After the walk through the woods, you will cross the creek on a bridge before beginning the first real incline of the hike.

After a series of rocky switch backs you will reach the trail junction for Stuart, and Colchuck lakes.  To me this is where the hike really shined.  Stick to the left and you will happen upon another log bridge, with a talus field/forest layer/and the top of Dragontail peak all stacked up in front of you, it is an amazing view, almost like the gateway to the wilderness.

You stick to the right after crossing the bridge, and walk along the creek before your next big push uphill. The climb remains pretty consistent rocky, and rooty but very manageable.  You will have a few nice views/photo opportunities on your way to the lake.

1 hour and 50 minutes later I reached Colchuck lake.  The lake is just as awesome as advertised. A beautiful blue/green with Dragontail peak towering behind it.  I was able to spend about 30 minutes alone at the lake before I had to start heading home.  On the walk down I passed numerous groups of hikers (maybe a total of 15.) I reached my car exactly 3hrs and 50 minutes from when I left, making it a relatively quick and easy day hike.