This is actually a view of Mauna Kea from our hike. Mauna Loa really does not have a vantage point for a picture of its own. It is considered the largest mountain (mass-wise) in the world and is spread out over a vast area making it difficult to catch a picture of its summit from afar.
We have generally found it a worthy endeavor to try and climb to the highest point in each state we visit. It turns out that Mauna Kea, the other large volcano on the island, is the taller by around 100 feet. The problem there is there does not appear to be a good hike up it as the road goes to the summit. Mauna Loa has a really cool 17 mile one lane road to the weather observatory on its slopes but from there, one has to hike another 6.5 miles to the summit proper. We have never been at these types of altitudes and did some research on Acute Altitude Sickness before heading out. It was recommended that we stop and sit for a while a few times during the car ride to around 11,000 feet to allow our bodies to acclimate. Literature seemed to point to the quick increase in altitude you might go through while driving versus hiking is the true issue.
A picture of the 17 mile approach road. We saw absolutely NO ONE on this road on the approach or return trip.Another shot of the approach road. The electrical wires are “feeding” the weather observatory at the end of the road.Laurie reads the placard at the base of the observatory driveway.This placard reaffirmed what we read regarding Acute Altitude Sickness.We did note that there were no trees to be blown down and removed or trimmed!Not sure what the P is there for? Cars can not go any further and there was certainly not a parking area up ahead.Off we go! What a grand view we had as we were above the clouds.A picture of a lava tube. Note the man-made wall in front of it. From what we heard, there are times when bad weather can roll in unannounced and this may have been a spot where someone holed up to wait out the storm.After a mile and a half of uphill hiking we came to the border of Volcanoes National Park. We have spent a few days wandering around the park at lower altitudes.Although I am shade colorblind I was easily able to see the multitude of minerals and their striking colors.More fabulous colors!Another lava tube to check out.Check out the two types of lava meeting up here behind the crushed lava in the foreground. The type on the left is called A’a lava and is very tough to walk on and, for goodness sake, do not fall on it. The type on the right is called Pahoehoe lava and is very smooth and not tough to walk on.The summit crater from our lunch spot.The Hawaiian hand signal for Aloha
The next two pics are of the trail conditions we encountered. Sometimes it was smooth going and others…….
Check out the snow pack as we reached 13,000 feet.We are at “cloud altitude” The clouds are floating over the Saddle Road that winds its way between Mauna Loa and Mauna KeaThe only sign of life we saw were these two helicopters flying above the clouds and under us on the return hike. Check out the fabulous shade of blue you see when at 14,000 feet!We made it back to the car with about an hour to spare before sunset. The angle of the sun allowed us to grab an easy selfie!Yes, we are in Hawaii! It was 77 degrees back down at sea level.
One Reply to “Mauna Loa….A Hike To Almost 14,000 Feet!”
While not uninteresting, the countryside is rather drab and lacking color contrast for the most part.
The exception being the green sand beach.
While not uninteresting, the countryside is rather drab and lacking color contrast for the most part.
The exception being the green sand beach.