The summit of the mountain lies above the forest line and the terrain consists of mostly lava rocks and shrubs due to its alpine weather conditions. The view from Mauna Kea is breathtaking. You can see right next to it the Mauna Loa volcano and since you are in Hawaii, the nature’s diversities from low ground tropical wet temperatures to mountain high, alpine, dry and cold temperatures. It also offers one of the best star viewings in the world, as evidence of the 11 star observatories at the top.
The hiking trail is 6 mi/10 km long (one way) and starts from the Visitor center where you can leave your car. At 13130 ft/4000 m the road comes along a trail going to Waiau Lake and another one leading to the summit. The route is very well marked with iron posts every few meters in between and it does not require high skill levels.
However a good fitness condition is essential for any practitioner because of the high altitude. During winter, there is snow around the peak. Hikers should wear light and layered clothes, hiking boots and warm socks and take enough snacks and water for a four to six hours hiking itinerary, although lake Waiau is a drinkable water supply. Don’t forget to take sunglasses and sunscreen with you.
Bear Valley is a ski area located near Angels Camp, on highway 4, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, approximately 3 hours southeast of Sacramento, California, USA.
Pololu Valley is the Northernmost valley, forming the East coast of the Kohala Mountain after Waipio Valley. The valley goes at 420 ft/128 m downwards and it ends at a beautiful beach with black sand.
Sonora Pass is located near Pinecrest, Tuolumne County, California, USA. It is off of Highway about 60 mi/96.5 km east of Sonora.
Volcano National park is located at 30 mi/48 km in the southwest of Hilo Town in Hawaii. The park was established in 1916 and is a combination of unique ecosystems and diverse environments that range from the sea to the summit of the world's biggest volcano, Mauna Loa, as well as Kilauea which is the world's most active volcano.
Sonora Pass is located near Pinecrest, Tuolumne County, California, USA. It is off of Highway about 60 mi/96.5 km east of Sonora.
Sesriem settlement is situated in the heart of the Namib Desert and at 304 km/189 mi from the Namibian capital city, Windhoek. Sesriem is the access point for the marvelous Naukluft National Park, one of the largest worldwide.
Volcano National park is located at 30 mi/48 km in the southwest of Hilo Town in Hawaii. The park was established in 1916 and is a combination of unique ecosystems and diverse environments that range from the sea to the summit of the world's biggest volcano, Mauna Loa, as well as Kilauea witch is the world's most active volcano.
Mauna Loa is one of the five active volcanoes in the island of Hawaii, the largest one on earth in volume and in kilometers covered. Its peak stands at 13679 ft/4169 m above the sea level.
The 4Miles beach is located in Hilo, in Hawaii, which is the most populated city of the island. Hilo is an old fashioned bay front town, with tropical rain forest climate all year long and home of the Tsunami Museum, dedicated to the understanding of the 1946 Pacific Tsunami.
Volcano National park is located at 30 mi/48 km in the southwest of Hilo Town in Hawaii. The park was established in 1916 and is a combination of unique ecosystems and diverse environments that range from the sea to the summit of the world's biggest volcano, Mauna Loa, as well as Kilauea witch is the world's most active volcano.
Honokaa town is located in the Hamakua Coast, at 40 mi/64 km in the north of Hilo. The area is a historic district of Big Island in Hawaii because the town's economy was once based on sugar production from the Hamakua Sugar Company, until 1994.
Honolii beach is located in between Paukaa and Wainaku Village, in Hawaii, at about seven minutes drive from Hilo, which is the most populated city on the island.
Richardson's beach is located in Hilo, Hawaii, which is the most populated city of the island. Hilo is an old fashioned bay front town, with tropical rain forest climate all year long and home of the Tsunami Museum, dedicated to the understanding of the 1946 Pacific Tsunami.
Kapaau is a small village, located at the northern tip of the island of Hawaii in North Kohala District. The king's Kamehameha statue is in the center of the village, who was the first to establish the unified Kingdom of Hawaii.
