Volcano National Park?

[widehunters3]

We are planning to rent a car and drive to Volcano National Park. We love to hike and take pictures!

 

Can you please tell me about your trip to this park. How long did you visit? and did you do any hiking?

 

Thank for your help

[einsteinsmom]

If you look up VNP online, there are some hikes listed. We are planning to do the Kiauea Iki trail the next time we are there. We went up to the park last June, but arrived too late in the day to be able to do the trail.

kristy

[Ine]

Check their website for details on:http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

and talk to the visitorcentre upon arrival.

The best way toi see what can be done or not.

We didnot hike but spend a lot of time in the park.

[widehunters3]

Thanks for the web sight information. I just printed off some info! I have made note of the Lave Tube stop and we will be doing some hiking.

 

From the cruse ship port how far away is the park?

[Giantfan13]

VNP is truly amazing. You can drive to the rim of the crater and then take the drive all around it. from there, there are other roads you can drive (all paved) that take you to different parts of the park to se other craters and lava flow. From along the crater drive there are many parts that were covered in lava after the last eruption. The roads were cleared of the lava, but you can get out and walk around, anywhere you want. Here are a gfew pictures we took just to get you acclamated.

 

VNP

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Hawaii/Dsc00421-1.jpg

 

Up the drive to the crater, there are several stops where the 'steam' is rising to the surface

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Hawaii/Dsc00422.jpg

 

Along Crater Drive

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Hawaii/Dsc00428.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Hawaii/Dsc00442.jpg

 

Lava flow over the road

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Hawaii/Dsc00452.jpg

 

Nature sprouting even in the harshest conditions, thru the lava

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Hawaii/Dsc00456.jpg

 

Hope you enjoy

 

Len

[widehunters3]

Giantfan13

 

Wow, thanks for sharing those pictures. I wish we were ready to go tomorrow.

[Ine]

Thanks for the web sight information. I just printed off some info! I have made note of the Lave Tube stop and we will be doing some hiking.

 

From the cruse ship port how far away is the park?

 

From the rental agency (those are close to the airport) it is about 45 minutes drive.

[Ine]

Thanks for the web sight information. I just printed off some info! I have made note of the Lave Tube stop and we will be doing some hiking.

 

From the cruse ship port how far away is the park?

 

From the rental agency (those are close to the airport) it is about 45 minutes drive.

[sceptic]

THe Kilauea Iki trail is fantastic, and one of its trailheads is across the road from the Thurston Lava Tube. Just be aware that the Kilauea Iki trail descends several hundred feet, a drop you must climb back up. It is not difficult (paved), but for those with mobility challenges just keep it in mind.

 

We've spent many weeks all told in the HVNP area through the years and are still exploring! One thing to be aware of - the current activity at the summit in Halemaumau can, if the winds are uncooperative, make for a very uncomfortable and smelly visit. Most of the time the winds are from the Northeast (trade winds). In these common conditions the fumes blow out to sea. But if they're "kona" winds - from the southwest - they can blow the fume cloud of Halemaumau over the popular sites in the park. Here is a website that gives a graphic image of the current conditions and direction of the fume clouds from the summit and from Pu'u O'o, the source of the current lava flows to the ocean:

http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/havoso2alert/havoalert.cfm

 

You want to see the yellow areas point to the lower left. Right now (1225 AM in Denver) they're pointing to the right, directly over the THurston Lava Tube and Kilauea Iki trail. This is unusual, and you based on the smell alone you'll certainly know you're near volcanism. If the SO2 levels are high enough the park service can even close the park for a few hours. It's rare, but does happen.

 

My suggestion is to copy the above URL and check it during the days preceding your Hilo stop. Like I said, most of the time this isn't a problem (In all the days we've spent there we've experienced tough conditions only once or twice for a few hours each time - you're far more likely to get rained on!)

[Nancyquilts]

DH likes to hike across the crater from Volcano House, but that was closed last fall. You do need someone to drive around and pick you up on the other side (works for me;)).

[hal2008]

VNP is truly amazing. You can drive to the rim of the crater and then take the drive all around it.

Len

 

After the latest lava erruption, due to high sulphur content, road is closed beyond J. Museum. So, now you can no longer drive around the the rim.

 

But you can certainly take the chain of crater road all the way to sea until it is closed due to lava going over the road (the last few miles of this raod are amazingly beautiful)