Tom Robinson - Mar 1, 2019 9:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 6, 1987
What Views after a fogged in ascent
Drove to about 10,000 feet but rental car would not go higher. Got on the trail and hiked through fogged in morning to the lake, as clouds cleared, then on to summit. Could see all of Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe. Too exhausted after descent to camp at state park in the saddle so retreated to a motel in Waimea.
Humpty Dumpty - Oct 7, 2018 1:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2018
Fantastic
Almost 14,000' and on top of the Pacific. Would have stayed on top longer but my wife was ready to head down.
whatdoIknow - Jul 8, 2018 8:50 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2018
#11
Super pretty up there. The drive is not bad on the gravel as long as you don't go wild driving down. We kept it really short to avoid adverse affects on the 10 years old.
marciamallow - May 26, 2018 12:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2016
HP # 31
Pleasant blue skies at the top, great weather--gave a ride to a family who hiked from vistors center, don't bother, it's too hot and exposed--rented a Jeep and drove to top--no problem, nicely maintained road and short hike to summit from there
mlandau3 - Dec 29, 2017 1:11 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2017
The Road Was Open
Great highpoint. And it’s a lot easier if you drive the road. Lake Waiau was an interesting side trip; Yax Trax were really helpful getting to the lake.
Bark Eater - Nov 8, 2017 1:35 pm Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2017
Fun hike
Hiked up and back from visitor center at 9200 ft level. 3h56m up. 2h45m down. Nice weather until descended into the cloud deck and drizzle at about 11K feet. I'm grateful the deluge waited to start until I was in the rental car! Saw no one on the way up and only five people on the way down. HP #46!
T. White - Nov 6, 2017 5:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2010
Sunset was unreal
Walked up from the observatory road. Was yelled at by a ranger for cutting cross-country to get on the trail (didn't see the TH at first... it was dark!), but I don't blame him.
Alpenglow on Pu'u Wekiu (the summit cone) was incredible.
Redwic - May 24, 2017 12:35 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2017
State HP #49! Woohoo!
Not only was this my 49th State HP, it was also my 200th CoHP, my 1000th unique ascent on Peakbagger, and my 700th ascent of peaks with at least 300' of clean prominence. And I got to share the experience with my wife, which was awesome.
hightinerary - May 15, 2017 9:04 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2017
Mauna Mia!
I just happened to be in Hawaii, so... I started at the Visitor Center, so it counts.
Went up to the summit area three times on our trip to HI last week - once via car on 4/13/17, then went for one of the sunset/stargazing tours on 4/15/17 and then did the hike from the Visitor Center 4/16/17. We had the entire trail to ourselves that day. Very well marked and easy to follow to the summit.
Adam Doc Fox - Feb 22, 2017 1:20 pm Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2017
Must Have Been Everest
The way the Asians tourists that were shuttled to the top were dressed--In full orange down jumpsuits, rated to -40F.
I parked past visitors center and hiked to the summit at dawn. Beautiful. The mountain was my valentine.
sredfern - Dec 25, 2016 11:32 am Date Climbed: Dec 24, 2016
Amazing day for a hike!
While it was steady rain down below in Hilo, the weather at the Visitor's Center was amazing! I realized I had forgotten sunblock and by the time we got to the snowfields, we were burning badly, so we took a detour over to a parking lot at about 3 miles and bummed some sunblock off the snowboarders and then we hiked up the road for an extra period. it added an extra 1.4 miles to the summit hike, but we took the traditional trail back down. The trail was clearly marked even in the snow. The altitude hit me harder than expected due to an illness I had for the prior 2 weeks. It was an amazing hike with my son!
jeffh25 - Oct 21, 2016 3:40 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2016
HP # 45
Perfect day up top. I drove and then walked. There is a sign asking you not go to the actual summit but it's just a suggestion. I had a 4wd truck, not sure if I needed it or not but I did start to fishtail on some washboard sections before I locked it in.
huskertriguy - Jun 2, 2016 6:23 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2016
Honeymoon Highpoint
Started at 3 a.m., from Onizuka, thinking & hoping it would be enough time to be near the summit for sunrise. My miscalculation.
Summited at 8 a.m., but this included the highly recommended side-trip to Lake Waiau. Beautiful & strange.
My lovely wife drove to the top from the visitors' center (once the road opened) with our rental Jeep Wrangler. It was a relief to not walk back down.
Beautiful day at the summit, slightly chilly, but we came well prepared with layers (perhaps even overly so).
McCannster - Apr 18, 2016 10:46 am Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2016
State HP # 31
Was a balmy 55 degrees on the summit. This was way cooler than I was expecting. Weather was perfect.
gimpilator - Mar 25, 2016 3:07 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2016
Hiked up from Onizuka
We also went to the top of the following: Kilauea, Pu'upua'i, Mauna Ulu, Puu Huluhulu, Pu'uwaiau, Puu Hau Kea, Puu Kea, Pu'uhau'oki, Puu Poliahu, Puu Kalepeamoa, Kilohana, Mauna Loa.
Woodie Hopper - Feb 15, 2016 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2016
Run from Onizuka visitor's center
Ran up the road to the summit (hiked steeper parts), and around the observatory complex. Tried the trail downhill a couple miles before rejoining the road. Beautiful morning with few people around with great views. Totally dry- no snow around. I felt so small, and grateful to be able to do this.
4hrs car to car from the Onizuka visitor's center. A little more than 18 miles and ~5,500k feet climbing in total.
Returned by car with the family from Kona that afternoon to see the sunset from the top!
patascent - Jan 24, 2016 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Jan 14, 2016
Offerings to Madam Pele
Gorgeous day on Mauna Kea. Started hiking at the Onizuka Visitor Center with my boyfriend Chris and his brother Randall. The elevation turned out to be too much for Randall since he now lives in Kona, but Chris and I made it to the summit in 5 hours. Our offerings to Madam Pele, 2 rocks from the Pololu Valley, my flower lei, and a double splash of Tanqueray. The valley below was a sea of clouds but it was clear and warm on the summit, probably about 45F. The crux for us was clearly hiking the mile section of pavement near the top. Chris said the road had 27 cracks in it. We saw 3 other hikers the day we climbed and caught a ride down with a hilarious couple from Texas, Ed and Dell. My first trip to Hawaii, but not my last. My 10th state highpoint of the highest 12. Still need to visit NV and NM.
Tom Robinson - Mar 1, 2019 9:03 am Date Climbed: Aug 6, 1987
What Views after a fogged in ascentDrove to about 10,000 feet but rental car would not go higher. Got on the trail and hiked through fogged in morning to the lake, as clouds cleared, then on to summit. Could see all of Big Island, Maui, Lanai, Kahoolawe. Too exhausted after descent to camp at state park in the saddle so retreated to a motel in Waimea.
Humpty Dumpty - Oct 7, 2018 1:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2018
FantasticAlmost 14,000' and on top of the Pacific. Would have stayed on top longer but my wife was ready to head down.
whatdoIknow - Jul 8, 2018 8:50 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2018
#11Super pretty up there. The drive is not bad on the gravel as long as you don't go wild driving down. We kept it really short to avoid adverse affects on the 10 years old.
marciamallow - May 26, 2018 12:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2016
HP # 31Pleasant blue skies at the top, great weather--gave a ride to a family who hiked from vistors center, don't bother, it's too hot and exposed--rented a Jeep and drove to top--no problem, nicely maintained road and short hike to summit from there
mlandau3 - Dec 29, 2017 1:11 pm Date Climbed: Dec 28, 2017
The Road Was OpenGreat highpoint. And it’s a lot easier if you drive the road. Lake Waiau was an interesting side trip; Yax Trax were really helpful getting to the lake.
Bark Eater - Nov 8, 2017 1:35 pm Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2017
Fun hikeHiked up and back from visitor center at 9200 ft level. 3h56m up. 2h45m down. Nice weather until descended into the cloud deck and drizzle at about 11K feet. I'm grateful the deluge waited to start until I was in the rental car! Saw no one on the way up and only five people on the way down. HP #46!
T. White - Nov 6, 2017 5:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2010
Sunset was unrealWalked up from the observatory road. Was yelled at by a ranger for cutting cross-country to get on the trail (didn't see the TH at first... it was dark!), but I don't blame him.
Alpenglow on Pu'u Wekiu (the summit cone) was incredible.
theronmoon - Jul 21, 2017 3:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2017
Epic viewsInsane views. One of the best
Redwic - May 24, 2017 12:35 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2017
State HP #49! Woohoo!Not only was this my 49th State HP, it was also my 200th CoHP, my 1000th unique ascent on Peakbagger, and my 700th ascent of peaks with at least 300' of clean prominence. And I got to share the experience with my wife, which was awesome.
hightinerary - May 15, 2017 9:04 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2017
Mauna Mia!I just happened to be in Hawaii, so... I started at the Visitor Center, so it counts.
punchline - Apr 19, 2017 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2017
HP #50Went up to the summit area three times on our trip to HI last week - once via car on 4/13/17, then went for one of the sunset/stargazing tours on 4/15/17 and then did the hike from the Visitor Center 4/16/17. We had the entire trail to ourselves that day. Very well marked and easy to follow to the summit.
Adam Doc Fox - Feb 22, 2017 1:20 pm Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2017
Must Have Been EverestThe way the Asians tourists that were shuttled to the top were dressed--In full orange down jumpsuits, rated to -40F.
I parked past visitors center and hiked to the summit at dawn. Beautiful. The mountain was my valentine.
sredfern - Dec 25, 2016 11:32 am Date Climbed: Dec 24, 2016
Amazing day for a hike!While it was steady rain down below in Hilo, the weather at the Visitor's Center was amazing! I realized I had forgotten sunblock and by the time we got to the snowfields, we were burning badly, so we took a detour over to a parking lot at about 3 miles and bummed some sunblock off the snowboarders and then we hiked up the road for an extra period. it added an extra 1.4 miles to the summit hike, but we took the traditional trail back down. The trail was clearly marked even in the snow. The altitude hit me harder than expected due to an illness I had for the prior 2 weeks. It was an amazing hike with my son!
jeffh25 - Oct 21, 2016 3:40 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2016
HP # 45Perfect day up top. I drove and then walked. There is a sign asking you not go to the actual summit but it's just a suggestion. I had a 4wd truck, not sure if I needed it or not but I did start to fishtail on some washboard sections before I locked it in.
huskertriguy - Jun 2, 2016 6:23 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2016
Honeymoon HighpointStarted at 3 a.m., from Onizuka, thinking & hoping it would be enough time to be near the summit for sunrise. My miscalculation.
Summited at 8 a.m., but this included the highly recommended side-trip to Lake Waiau. Beautiful & strange.
My lovely wife drove to the top from the visitors' center (once the road opened) with our rental Jeep Wrangler. It was a relief to not walk back down.
Beautiful day at the summit, slightly chilly, but we came well prepared with layers (perhaps even overly so).
State Highpoint #42
radbb - Jan 21, 2019 8:09 pm
Re: Honeymoon Highpointdid not realize it was 5 hours going up?
McCannster - Apr 18, 2016 10:46 am Date Climbed: Apr 17, 2016
State HP # 31Was a balmy 55 degrees on the summit. This was way cooler than I was expecting. Weather was perfect.
gimpilator - Mar 25, 2016 3:07 pm Date Climbed: Jan 29, 2016
Hiked up from OnizukaWe also went to the top of the following: Kilauea, Pu'upua'i, Mauna Ulu, Puu Huluhulu, Pu'uwaiau, Puu Hau Kea, Puu Kea, Pu'uhau'oki, Puu Poliahu, Puu Kalepeamoa, Kilohana, Mauna Loa.
For pictures and videos see the full trip report.
Woodie Hopper - Feb 15, 2016 9:43 pm Date Climbed: Feb 14, 2016
Run from Onizuka visitor's centerRan up the road to the summit (hiked steeper parts), and around the observatory complex. Tried the trail downhill a couple miles before rejoining the road. Beautiful morning with few people around with great views. Totally dry- no snow around. I felt so small, and grateful to be able to do this.
4hrs car to car from the Onizuka visitor's center. A little more than 18 miles and ~5,500k feet climbing in total.
Returned by car with the family from Kona that afternoon to see the sunset from the top!
patascent - Jan 24, 2016 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Jan 14, 2016
Offerings to Madam PeleGorgeous day on Mauna Kea. Started hiking at the Onizuka Visitor Center with my boyfriend Chris and his brother Randall. The elevation turned out to be too much for Randall since he now lives in Kona, but Chris and I made it to the summit in 5 hours. Our offerings to Madam Pele, 2 rocks from the Pololu Valley, my flower lei, and a double splash of Tanqueray. The valley below was a sea of clouds but it was clear and warm on the summit, probably about 45F. The crux for us was clearly hiking the mile section of pavement near the top. Chris said the road had 27 cracks in it. We saw 3 other hikers the day we climbed and caught a ride down with a hilarious couple from Texas, Ed and Dell. My first trip to Hawaii, but not my last. My 10th state highpoint of the highest 12. Still need to visit NV and NM.