Parked at the Visitors' Center and hiked to the summit. Passed where ancient Hawaiians quarried stones for their adzes. Unfortunately, vandals thought it was acceptable to spray paint their names at this National Historic Landmark. Previous visitors to the summit left offerings to Madam Pele, the fire goddess. Unworldly landscape; that's for sure.
We Didn't Know It Was A Highpoint, The Real First!
Back in 1986 while on our honeymoon, my wife and I were looking for something different to do other than lay on the beach or the normal tourist stuff. Back then we had never heard of the U.S. Highpoints, much less knowing that we were standing on top of one of them. Almost 30 years later we don't remember much other than we weren't properly dressed, the temperature at sea-level was around 90-degrees, and the temperature on the summit was well below freezing with the wind-chill. Needless to say we didn't stay very long.
ericd - Jul 28, 2015 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2012
No lava
Camped at Stanley beach the night before. 5hr hike up to the observatories at the summit and across crater. Sunrise and an ocean breeze made this climb unique.
Jenniferzivic - Jul 21, 2015 12:55 am Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2014
Adventure Travel Gal
On vacation and decided to climb to the top! #3
chilkoot - Jul 15, 2015 1:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2015
HP #47
I'm running out of state highpoints to climb, but this sure was a beautiful one.rook my 16 year old son with me so I had someone to chase. Beautiful weather with clouds filling in the valley along the Saddle Road. Raining in Hilo, but blue skies on Mauna Kea. We were well aclimatized from climbing Mauna Loa last week, so we could really enjoy the home today.
DarrenKnezek - Jul 13, 2015 10:58 am Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2008
Snorkeling and Mountaineering
Went on a vacation and climbed the state highpoint as well as many days snorkeling.
bruno baschung - Jul 5, 2015 9:54 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2015
nice view
Quick visit on this peak. It's a bit unclear if access to main top is allowed, tolerated or forbidden though not "officially" sunce it's a free country.
A good place to think about big bang en so on...
bruno baaschung
Baarb - May 31, 2015 10:22 pm Date Climbed: Apr 29, 2015
I will be on the big island for a few days, and planning to do some hiking. Do any of you know if it is possible to climb to any of the peaks during the night to catch the sunrise? I did this on Mt. Fuji a few years ago and it was unforgettable...
Thanks,
Miklos
Musisca - May 29, 2015 5:10 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2015
Highpoint #9
This was a challenging, but worthwhile hike. The drive to the VIS was cloudy and misty and I wondered whether I'd be wet on my whole hike. At about 10,000 feet, I burst through the clouds on the trail to see a primal landscape filled with multicolored craters and fields of igneous rock. The altitude is the biggest challenge here, especially if you're in Hawaii for any period of time. I'd recommend acclimating a little at VIS before starting and giving yourself plenty of time to ascend. I got to the summit in about 5hr 15min while taking pictures and resting. It took me only 2:30 to get back down. This hike is worth the effort. Bring 5-6 liters of water, plenty of snacks and something warm for the summit.
jdub - May 28, 2015 2:39 am Date Climbed: May 25, 2015
Great conditions; late start
Celebrated Memorial Day with an earnest 1st attempt on the summit of Mars-a Kea...I mean Mauna Kea. Weather was perfect maybe even too hot but hey that's better than snow and ice. Warning: do not leave the VIS at 12:48pm with a goal of reaching the summit and making it up and back on foot in daylight - unless you're faster than me. Really didn't think I'd have time to get past Lake Waiau but when I saw the dome of the lower observatory the adrenaline kicked in and I went for the summit. It was already 5:15 when I left the lake. Hit the summit at 6:30 pm. Final tally: 5 hours and 42 minutes up with a total of 80 minutes resting time, 262 minutes hiking. But hey, I made it. Took the road back down in twilight - jogged the first 3 miles in about 45 minutes and then obliged a ride from some youngsters in a jeep as blackness fell and I was reaching for my headlamp. Some notes for future 1st timers: WATER! I went through 5.5 out of 6.5 liters. ALTITUDE! I rested every 30 minutes for water and to let my breathing adjust. TRAVEL LIGHT! My pack was about 5lbs too heavy. And dress in layers - I got that part right. FOCUS! Humu'ula Trail is monotonous, steep, the footing is not great and, yeah, it looks like Mars probably does. But the reward is worth it.
Arogainer - Apr 30, 2015 9:27 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2015
Sea to summit
Started Hilo Bay 3.40am. Jogged up Saddle road to junction at 10.30am. Left mist and rain behind, got to Visitor centre 12.30pm, took a 30min break. Headed up the trail reaching summit at 5.40pm. My wife drove up and met me there, we stuck around for a beautiful sunset then my chauffeur drove me back down. Had a shower and slept very well that night!
I was lucky to get nice weather to the top. I made the run in 2:48 up. Awesome views at the summit after being in the clouds for most of the way up. I made it just before sunset, then ran down in the dark, it took me 1:56 to get down.
Holsti97 - Apr 2, 2015 11:11 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2015
HP #49
Beautiful at the summit. Many native Hawaiians were there protesting the plans to build another observatory near the summit.
Moogie737 - Mar 5, 2015 4:36 pm Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2021
It does snow in Hawaii; Humuula Trail
#1 03-04-2015 Solo. Believe it or not this was one of the most challenging state high points I have yet done. Sleet and heavy snow accompanied by often driving winds obliterated the Humuula Trail and made route finding with limited viz , shall we say, interesting. Snow total on the true summit was 8 inches when I hurriedly departed. :) #2 04-14-2021 W/ Lana, Humuula Trail. 5+53 up, windy but clear. Cold on top with a 200'-wide swath of hard icy snow on the path to the summit. Microspikes necessary. Saw 6 others total on the trail.
kevinhansen - Jan 7, 2015 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Dec 29, 2014
Sun Rise was perfect
Much like the post below, we were lucky to hit the top between the heavy winds. Two days before the winds was clocked at 80MPH. We left our condo at 4:30am to be at the summit about 20 minutes before the sun rise. Temps were just below freezing and a slight breeze, maybe 15MPH at the most. We were joined by a few locals and other from the main land. YOU DO NOT NEED A 4WD TO GET TO THE SUMMIT!!! My Geo Metro would have been just fine. Hawaii you should be ashamed calling that road 4WD. It is always open too.
Tonka - Jan 5, 2015 1:30 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2014
Lucky day between snow and wind.
Did the full hike on a blue-bird day but the wind was steady with cool temps up high. We were surprised at how well we went from sea-level to almost 14k and back with such little issues. With the new Saddle road you can get here (TH) in an hour or so from almost anywhere.
xDoogiex - Aug 19, 2014 10:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2014
High point #25
After going snorkeling and watching the sunset on kahalu'u beach I drove up and slept in my rented mustang at the visitor center. The stars were amazing!! Tarted at 4:55. Took 4.5hrs up 2hrs down. When coming down from the summit a worker told me the summit is now off limits. There was a sign but since I didn't see it online I went for it and paid respect to the wonderful mountain and the island gods. Apparently the rock group on the summit is an altar and I didn't know and I thought it was like any other mountain and stood on it for pics and sat on it. I apologized to the person and let him know I didn't know and didn't mean any disrespect. The hike also looks like you are traveling on mars.
siekkid - Oct 28, 2015 9:49 am Date Climbed: Oct 22, 2015
Honeymoon High Point!Witnessed a beautiful sunset from the top of Hawaii for my 27th state high point!
Marlin - Sep 19, 2015 1:59 pm Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2005
Highpoint #3Parked at the Visitors' Center and hiked to the summit. Passed where ancient Hawaiians quarried stones for their adzes. Unfortunately, vandals thought it was acceptable to spray paint their names at this National Historic Landmark. Previous visitors to the summit left offerings to Madam Pele, the fire goddess. Unworldly landscape; that's for sure.
MJS - Aug 30, 2015 11:37 am
We Didn't Know It Was A Highpoint, The Real First!Back in 1986 while on our honeymoon, my wife and I were looking for something different to do other than lay on the beach or the normal tourist stuff. Back then we had never heard of the U.S. Highpoints, much less knowing that we were standing on top of one of them. Almost 30 years later we don't remember much other than we weren't properly dressed, the temperature at sea-level was around 90-degrees, and the temperature on the summit was well below freezing with the wind-chill. Needless to say we didn't stay very long.
teddycricket83 - Aug 9, 2015 2:49 am
love the Hawiian Snowshoulda brought the skis instead of the snorkel
ericd - Jul 28, 2015 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2012
No lavaCamped at Stanley beach the night before. 5hr hike up to the observatories at the summit and across crater. Sunrise and an ocean breeze made this climb unique.
Jenniferzivic - Jul 21, 2015 12:55 am Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2014
Adventure Travel GalOn vacation and decided to climb to the top! #3
chilkoot - Jul 15, 2015 1:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2015
HP #47I'm running out of state highpoints to climb, but this sure was a beautiful one.rook my 16 year old son with me so I had someone to chase. Beautiful weather with clouds filling in the valley along the Saddle Road. Raining in Hilo, but blue skies on Mauna Kea. We were well aclimatized from climbing Mauna Loa last week, so we could really enjoy the home today.
DarrenKnezek - Jul 13, 2015 10:58 am Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2008
Snorkeling and MountaineeringWent on a vacation and climbed the state highpoint as well as many days snorkeling.
bruno baschung - Jul 5, 2015 9:54 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2015
nice viewQuick visit on this peak. It's a bit unclear if access to main top is allowed, tolerated or forbidden though not "officially" sunce it's a free country.
A good place to think about big bang en so on...
bruno baaschung
Baarb - May 31, 2015 10:22 pm Date Climbed: Apr 29, 2015
Some placeA magic all of its own.
mlu - Jun 15, 2015 7:11 am
Re: Some placeDear All,
I will be on the big island for a few days, and planning to do some hiking. Do any of you know if it is possible to climb to any of the peaks during the night to catch the sunrise? I did this on Mt. Fuji a few years ago and it was unforgettable...
Thanks,
Miklos
Musisca - May 29, 2015 5:10 am Date Climbed: May 27, 2015
Highpoint #9This was a challenging, but worthwhile hike. The drive to the VIS was cloudy and misty and I wondered whether I'd be wet on my whole hike. At about 10,000 feet, I burst through the clouds on the trail to see a primal landscape filled with multicolored craters and fields of igneous rock. The altitude is the biggest challenge here, especially if you're in Hawaii for any period of time. I'd recommend acclimating a little at VIS before starting and giving yourself plenty of time to ascend. I got to the summit in about 5hr 15min while taking pictures and resting. It took me only 2:30 to get back down. This hike is worth the effort. Bring 5-6 liters of water, plenty of snacks and something warm for the summit.
jdub - May 28, 2015 2:39 am Date Climbed: May 25, 2015
Great conditions; late startCelebrated Memorial Day with an earnest 1st attempt on the summit of Mars-a Kea...I mean Mauna Kea. Weather was perfect maybe even too hot but hey that's better than snow and ice. Warning: do not leave the VIS at 12:48pm with a goal of reaching the summit and making it up and back on foot in daylight - unless you're faster than me. Really didn't think I'd have time to get past Lake Waiau but when I saw the dome of the lower observatory the adrenaline kicked in and I went for the summit. It was already 5:15 when I left the lake. Hit the summit at 6:30 pm. Final tally: 5 hours and 42 minutes up with a total of 80 minutes resting time, 262 minutes hiking. But hey, I made it. Took the road back down in twilight - jogged the first 3 miles in about 45 minutes and then obliged a ride from some youngsters in a jeep as blackness fell and I was reaching for my headlamp. Some notes for future 1st timers: WATER! I went through 5.5 out of 6.5 liters. ALTITUDE! I rested every 30 minutes for water and to let my breathing adjust. TRAVEL LIGHT! My pack was about 5lbs too heavy. And dress in layers - I got that part right. FOCUS! Humu'ula Trail is monotonous, steep, the footing is not great and, yeah, it looks like Mars probably does. But the reward is worth it.
Arogainer - Apr 30, 2015 9:27 am Date Climbed: Apr 20, 2015
Sea to summitStarted Hilo Bay 3.40am. Jogged up Saddle road to junction at 10.30am. Left mist and rain behind, got to Visitor centre 12.30pm, took a 30min break. Headed up the trail reaching summit at 5.40pm. My wife drove up and met me there, we stuck around for a beautiful sunset then my chauffeur drove me back down. Had a shower and slept very well that night!
asaking11 - Apr 29, 2015 6:25 pm Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2015
Ran to the topI was lucky to get nice weather to the top. I made the run in 2:48 up. Awesome views at the summit after being in the clouds for most of the way up. I made it just before sunset, then ran down in the dark, it took me 1:56 to get down.
Holsti97 - Apr 2, 2015 11:11 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2015
HP #49Beautiful at the summit. Many native Hawaiians were there protesting the plans to build another observatory near the summit.
Moogie737 - Mar 5, 2015 4:36 pm Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2021
It does snow in Hawaii; Humuula Trail#1 03-04-2015 Solo. Believe it or not this was one of the most challenging state high points I have yet done. Sleet and heavy snow accompanied by often driving winds obliterated the Humuula Trail and made route finding with limited viz , shall we say, interesting. Snow total on the true summit was 8 inches when I hurriedly departed. :) #2 04-14-2021 W/ Lana, Humuula Trail. 5+53 up, windy but clear. Cold on top with a 200'-wide swath of hard icy snow on the path to the summit. Microspikes necessary. Saw 6 others total on the trail.
kevinhansen - Jan 7, 2015 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Dec 29, 2014
Sun Rise was perfectMuch like the post below, we were lucky to hit the top between the heavy winds. Two days before the winds was clocked at 80MPH. We left our condo at 4:30am to be at the summit about 20 minutes before the sun rise. Temps were just below freezing and a slight breeze, maybe 15MPH at the most. We were joined by a few locals and other from the main land. YOU DO NOT NEED A 4WD TO GET TO THE SUMMIT!!! My Geo Metro would have been just fine. Hawaii you should be ashamed calling that road 4WD. It is always open too.
Tonka - Jan 5, 2015 1:30 am Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2014
Lucky day between snow and wind.Did the full hike on a blue-bird day but the wind was steady with cool temps up high. We were surprised at how well we went from sea-level to almost 14k and back with such little issues. With the new Saddle road you can get here (TH) in an hour or so from almost anywhere.
xDoogiex - Aug 19, 2014 10:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2014
High point #25After going snorkeling and watching the sunset on kahalu'u beach I drove up and slept in my rented mustang at the visitor center. The stars were amazing!! Tarted at 4:55. Took 4.5hrs up 2hrs down. When coming down from the summit a worker told me the summit is now off limits. There was a sign but since I didn't see it online I went for it and paid respect to the wonderful mountain and the island gods. Apparently the rock group on the summit is an altar and I didn't know and I thought it was like any other mountain and stood on it for pics and sat on it. I apologized to the person and let him know I didn't know and didn't mean any disrespect. The hike also looks like you are traveling on mars.