Is There A Guided Hiking Excursion Available On Mauna Kea?

The Humu’ula Trail is a free and easy-to-explore hiking route that takes hikers from sea level to the summit of Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain. The Mauna Kea Summit Evening Tour offers an epic adventure to the island’s volcanic slopes, providing breathtaking views above the clouds. Highly trained guides provide informative narration, highlighting the island’s cultural and natural aspects. Convenient central pick-up points are available in Kailua Kona, Waikoloa Beach, Waikoloa Village, or at the Mauna Kea Summit.

The expert guide service on Mauna Kea has over 60 years of combined experience on the mountain. The Mauna Kea Summit Tour by Hawaii Forest and Trail is considered the best, with a 7.5-hour journey. There are two major hikes on Mauna Kea: the full Mauna Kea Summit Trail (Humu’ula Trail) and a shorter hike to Lake Waiau. The Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour is rated as easy to moderate and suitable for groups of up to 12.

Hiking to the summit of Mauna Kea is no easy task, but fully-certified Hawaii Guides offer private or custom tours with the use of an exclusive guide. The tour includes minimal walking, with a maximum of 150 yards.

In summary, the Mauna Kea Summit Evening Tour offers an epic adventure to the world’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, with knowledgeable and experienced guides. The tour is suitable for all ages and offers a unique experience for those looking to explore the island’s natural beauty.

What is the best time to go to the Mauna Kea observatory?

Mauna Kea Observatory’s telescopes require clear sky conditions, especially during the months of March through September when the Big Island experiences the least amount of rain, making this the optimal time to visit.

Is Mauna Kea worth it?

The author shares a remarkable experience on Hawaii, stating that even a short three-day stay is worth it due to the breathtaking views, despite the exhaustion, making the experience unforgettable and worth the effort.

How long does it take to get to the top of Mauna Kea?

Mauna Kea can be reached on foot from the Visitor Center, with an optional 10 km trail that climbs up to the summit for 1400 meters of altitude difference. The round trip takes about 8 hours and requires good preparation due to the potential dangers of altitude combined with physical effort. It is essential to check with the Visitor Center before starting the hike and equip yourself with UV protection and long clothing.

The visitor center warns about the effects of altitude on the body, including migraines, nausea, tremors, dizziness, pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, severe sunburn, and eye damage due to UV rays. Altitude sickness can affect everyone, regardless of exercise training or not.

Do you need oxygen on Mauna Kea?

At Mauna Kea summit, the oxygen level is 40 less than sea level and air pressure is lower, limiting participation for individuals with heart or lung disease, those who have been scuba diving within 24 hours, and pregnant women. Additionally, participants are advised to refrain from drinking alcohol within 12 hours of participation.

Is Mauna Kea accessible?

Mauna Kea Resort provides 21 handicap accessible guest rooms in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including those for individuals using wheelchairs or needing extra space. The resort also offers accessible public spaces, restaurants, and pools at both Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. For inquiries about ADA rooms and accessibility, contact the front office managers at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel or The Westin Hapuna.

Are you above the clouds at Mauna Kea Visitor Center?

The VIS offers excellent nighttime viewing, with staff knowledgeable about Maunakea and astronomy. They are open to questions and can even point out visible constellations and planets. They also provide information on Hawaiian navigation, area stories, and astronomy concepts. However, this is weather and staff dependent. A once-month free event is available for those interested in looking through telescopes, but requires registration. The VIS’s location provides great viewing and is above the clouds, near the stars. Visit Stargazing at the VIS for more information.

What is the difference between Mauna Kea Observatory and Summit?

The Mauna Kea Visitor Center is located at an elevation of 9, 200 feet, while the summit is at 13, 803 feet, where the observatories are visible. The visitor center is accessible by car, while the summit is only accessible by 4×4 vehicles. The visitor center features a gift shop, restrooms, and a trail to a viewpoint. The center is often visited by tourists for viewing the sunset and stargazing, as most Mauna Kea tours stop at it.

Can you tour the telescopes on Mauna Kea?

NOIRLab is offering free tours to the Gemini North telescope near Maunakea’s summit on Hawai’i Island. The tour is designed to cater to the public interested in learning about astronomical research at Gemini and NOIRLab. Visitors will be given an orientation to Gemini and a presentation on cultural, environmental, and resource management. Due to the extreme conditions, minors under 13 years old are not allowed on the tours. Minors 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult, and pets, including support animals, are not allowed.

Drone flights are also not allowed. Visitors are advised to bring a refillable water bottle and snack. During the reservation process, guests are required to comply with NOIRLab’s Safety and Liability Rules.

How risky is Mauna Loa?

Mauna Loa’s eruption poses significant volcanic hazards, including voluminous lava flows, potentially destructive earthquakes, ground motion due to the volcano’s flank movements, and potential volcanic gas emissions and dense vog. These hazards can be a nuisance or health hazard to people downwind of the vent. Explosive eruptions and ashfall can impact air traffic. Mauna Loa’s 1984 eruption taught us about lava flow mechanics.

The eruption could disrupt communication, traffic, and people’s lives, especially with the influx of residents and visitors wanting to see lava flows. This could add to the congestion of roadways and infrastructure already impacted by the eruption.

Can you walk to the summit of Mauna Kea?

The Mauna Kea Summit Trail is a challenging 12-mile round trip that ascends 4, 500 feet from the Visitor Center. It is a challenging hike that requires careful consideration of altitude, weather, and mountain conditions. Starting early in the day allows for early departure before dark. The hike typically takes 7-8 hours for fit individuals. To start, fill out a form at the Visitor Center and drop it off at the drop box. From there, walk a short stretch up the road and follow the two-lane trail to the left for about a quarter mile.

The trail then heads up hill to the right, leading to Lake Waiau. The trail is steep and rough, with loose rock, making hiking poles a must. The first two miles are steep, making it a good option for those in good physical condition.

Is it hard to breathe at the top of Mauna Kea?

Mauna Kea’s health risks include a lack of vital oxygen and air pressure, which can pose a significant risk to individuals with heart or lung diseases. SCUBA diving in the last 24 hours can lead to “The Bends” due to decreased air pressure and nitrogen buildup. Pregnant women should avoid Mauna Kea due to the reduced oxygen available for mother and child.