Can you hike Mauna Loa?
A hike up the 13,678 foot (4,170 m) Mauna Loa can be rewarding, but poses a significant challenge. The summit is high altitude and the trail is over rough, jagged, and often loose lava. The trail is marked with ahu (stacked rocks) and can be very easy to lose in times of low visibility.
Should I visit Mauna Loa or Mauna Kea?
The Mauna Loa hike is generally considered more challenging from people I’ve talked to about it, and certainly more people get lost and have to be rescued doing it. I wouldn’t recommend doing either hike solo, but between the two, I’d choose Mauna Kea for ease of access and a slightly less difficult day hike.
Is Mauna Loa worth?
It’s definitely worth it. A drive not to be missed! Only if the weather is clear and bright, should you consider a drive up Mauna Loa Road to its scenic lookout. On especially clear days there are spectacular views of Mauna Kea, Kohala, Haleakala (Maui), Hualalai, and the Pohakuloa saddle.
How hard is it to climb Mauna Loa?
There are two ways to climb to the summit of Mauna Loa. The one described here requires no permits, but is a difficult day hike. The other begins inside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and requires a 30+ mile slog that begins in tropical rainforest. This route requires at least 3-5 days.
Is Mauna Loa open?
Mauna Loa Road is currently open for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians but will be closed during work hours from the gate past Kipukapuaulu when workers repave the road to the first cattleguard.
Is Mauna Loa summit open?
You will start at the Mauna Loa Observatory off of Hwy 200 (Saddle Road). It is a single-lane road so use caution. The observatory is not open to the public. The trail surface is uneven from the lava flow fields.
Is Mauna Loa dormant?
Mauna Loa is among Earth’s most active volcanoes, having erupted 33 times since its first well-documented historical eruption in 1843.
Is Mauna Loa Lookout open?
Great news! Mauna Loa Road is open to the 6,662-foot Overlook. Workers have completed a project to improve accessibility, the parking area and restroom. This is a great place to beat the crowds during the busy holiday season (bring a sweater or light jacket – it’s cool at this elevation).