Running Diamond Head Volcano

#RunningDiamondHeadHawaii

Hours are 6.00am to 6.00pm with a $10.00 per vehicle or $5.00 per person entrance fee
 So if you walk in, arrive via bus, taxi, trolley or in my case running 😅

Thank You Google Maps
 In explaining my trek for this latest adventure of mine
It equipped a local company with its Trekker Backpack Cameras to capture the imagery,
 as it could not use their traditional Street View Cars
(goes without saying) 

Diamond Head
It was a site of reverence and worship for the early Native Hawaiians with religious ceremonies plus sometimes (unfortunately) animal or human sacrifices,
 which was the norm for those times

Moving forward;
 Thanks to many local activists who stopped the development of this area into residential buildings, hotels and even a tramway to the top of the crater
It did so with the preservation plus establishment of Diamond Head as a historic site 

Early History
In 1904 Diamond Head was bought by the US Government (for $3,300) then turned into a military base (Fort Ruger) with the areas of the volcano being carved out for its bunkers plus batteries
Then the trail plus tunnels were built to allow the soldiers to reach the various lookouts and outposts which was all part of the islands coastal defense system

Finally the US Military transferred control to (then territory) Hawaii in 1955
 which became a US State four years later 

The Route
Some of the stairs which gets you to the 560 vertical feet and to the top level
 But certainly feels like a whole lot more with the heat plus footing conditions
Common Sense
 So do i need to say this; Proper Footwear and Hydrate

The Challenge
As you can see there is not a lot of natural cover from the sun, so wear a hat plus lather up on the sunscreen as they say its a 90 minute roundtrip journey, but with crowds that timeline
maybe optimistic

As i sit on Waikiki Beach relaxing, you cannot help but notice Diamond Head
Volcano (named after when the British Sailors in the 1800s who thought the calcite crystals in the lava rocks were diamonds) overlooking the island of Oahu and sitting on the Pacific Ocean

Now I've been told by the locals that the trail (1.1km /0.6 miles) to the rim is manageable for the average person, but when i said  i was going to run it they rolled their eyes

Being me, upped the ante to say i was tacking on the 4kms (2.4 miles) from the hotel to the trail just to make things a bit more interesting 😃

As i do not consider myself the average person jajajaja

I leave the next morning early to avoid the heat plus tourists with the run to the trail as a non-event.

But then as you start on the trek to the top your footing consists on everything from volcanic dust, some concrete steps (70+ & 90+) few tunnels then finally a spiral staircase to an old military bunker at the summit (with great views of Waikiki  / Pearl Harbor and yes i brought my camera)

 I must admit it was tough plus i wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't fit, but the next day back at my favorite watering hole i raised my glass towards one of natures marvels and gave her a toast 👍 in presenting me with a another challenge to overcome.

High Traffic
Good to go early to avoid the crowds as its the most popular hiking trail in Hawaii plus you get to do a slow walk into history to get a glimpse from its geological
and military past

Well Trodden Path
The route starts in the parking lot (crater floor) which most of the walkway is paved concrete, but sections of the trail do include uneven and steep areas plus as you have seen
 the long stairways

Pack Train
Some of the trail to the summit from Fort Ruger was through these underground passages
nicknamed the Mule Tunnel
 It was because of those animals which provided the transportation of some of the materials, while other heavier goods where hoisted by winch and cable

The Rules
One of the many fortifications you will encounter with amazing views along your hike,
 but please note;
A) No mountain bikes are allowed
 B) Stay on the marked trails
 C) No dogs allowed in Diamond Head Park
D) No open fires 
E) Over 25 people in a group a hiking permit is required