Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
trail continues through Napau Crater and on to gaping
Puʻu ʻOʻo
, a dangerous and volat-
ile area.
Mauna Loa Trail
HIKING
For serious hikers, this is your trail to the 13,677ft summit (weekend hikers should opt
for the 6.5-mile
Observatory Trail
). Beginning at the end of Mauna Loa Rd, it traverses
19 miles and ascends about 7000ft. While it is not technically challenging, due to the
high elevation and frequent subarctic conditions it takes at least three, and usually four,
days.
Two simple cabins with foam pad- covered bunks, pit toilets and catchment water
(which must be treated before drinking) are located on the route; the first cabin sleeps
eight and the second 12, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Get a
free backcountry permit, advice and water-level updates at the Visitor Emergency Opera-
tions Center (
Click here
) the day before your hike.
Typically, the first day is spent hiking 7.5 miles to
Puʻu ʻUlaʻula
at 10,035ft, where
Red Hill Cabin is located. The next day is spent hiking 9.5 miles to
Mokuʻaweoweo Cal-
dera
, and another 2 miles to Mauna Loa Cabin at 13,250ft; from here you can admire the
summit directly across the caldera. On the third day you hike nearly 5 miles around the
caldera to reach the summit and return for a second night at Mauna Loa Cabin. On the
fourth day you descend.
Altitude sickness is common, even expected; going slowly aids acclimatization. Night-
time temperatures are below freezing, and storms may bring snow, blizzards, whiteouts,
rain and fog, all of which can obscure the
ahu
that mark the trail, making it difficult to
follow.
Puna Coast Trails
HIKING
Three main trails take hikers down to the Puna Coast: the Hilina Pali, Keauhou and Puna
Coast Trails. These trails start from vastly different places, but they each eventually in-
tersect (with each other and even more trails), and they lead to four separate
backcoun-
try campgrounds
or shelters. Because of steep elevation changes and distance, these
trails are most commonly done as overnight backpacks.
This is also because once you see the grassy, wind-swept coast you won't want to
leave. Talk to rangers about routes and water-catchment levels at the shelters - low water
levels can close some trails to campers (such was the case of the Halape campground at
time of research). With lovely swimming and snorkeling, the Halape site is the most pop-
ular, with Keauhou a great second choice.
