Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
minutes from Hilo or Waimea and 1½ hours from Kailua-Kona. Past the visitor station,
it's another 8 miles (half unpaved) and nearly 5000ft to the summit.
To visit the summit without a 4WD, you will need to join a Mauna Kea tour, hike or
hitch a ride at the visitor station from one of the many people heading to the top with a
4WD (particularly at the start of the daily summit tour).
Note there are no restaurants, gas stations or emergency services on Saddle Rd or the
mountain. Weather conditions can change rapidly, and daytime temperatures range from
50°F to below freezing. The summit can be windy, and observatory viewing rooms are
colder than outside. Bring warm clothing, a heavy jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Especially in winter, it's a good idea to check on
weather and road conditions
(
935-6268;
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions
)
. Even when the fog's as thick
as pea soup on Saddle Rd, it's crystal clear at the mountaintop around 325 days a year.
Information
The Visitor Information Station is at 9200ft, and even here some visitors might experien-
ce shortness of breath and mild altitude sickness. At the 13,796ft summit, atmospheric
pressure is 60% what it is at sea level, and altitude sickness is common. Symptoms in-
clude nausea, headaches, drowsiness, impaired reason, loss of balance, shortness of
breath and dehydration. The only way to recover is to descend. Kids under 16 years,
pregnant women, and those with high blood pressure or circulatory conditions should not
go to the summit. Nor should you scuba dive within 24 hours of visiting Mauna Kea.
The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to ascend slowly. All hikers and travelers to
the summit should stop first at the visitor station for at least 30 minutes to acclimatize be-
fore continuing.
Getting There & Around
Saddle Road (Hwy 200) runs between Kona and Hilo, passing between the island's great
peaks. From Kona it starts just south of mile marker 6 on Hwy 190. From Hilo, drive
mauka
(inland) on Kaumana Dr, which becomes Saddle Rd (Hwy 200). From Volcano,
take Hwy 11 to Puainako which turns into Kaumana Dr. All drivers should start with a
full tank of gas, as there are no gas stations on Saddle Rd.
Past the visitor station the road is suitable only for 4WD vehicles - there have been
many accidents to underline this point. Over half the road is gravel, sometimes at a 15%
grade, and the upper road can be covered with ice. When descending, drive in low gear
(or you can ruin your brakes), and pay attention to any signs of altitude sickness. Driving
