Is it bad to visit Mauna Kea?

Maunakea is considered the most sacred of all Hawaii’s volcanoes, and is known by Hawaiians as a region of the gods. For this reason and for safety concerns, visitors are discouraged from traveling beyond the Maunakea Visitor Information Station (VIS).

Do people visit Mauna Kea?

While the summit is open to the public, the summit telescope facilities are CLOSED to visitors. Visitors will frequently ascend the summit during the day or to watch the sunset, then return to the Maunakea Visitor Information Station to view the stars.

What is so special about Mauna Kea?

Mauna Kea is unique as an astronomical observing site. The atmosphere above the mountain is extremely dry — which is important in measuring infrared and submillimeter radiation from celestial sources – and cloud-free, so that the proportion of clear nights is among the highest in the world.

Can you go to Mauna Kea without a tour?

Is it possible to drive up there and stargaze and enjoy the scenery without having to take the tour? You can drive up to the Visitor Center as long as your rent-a-car company lets you drive on the Saddle Road. You can not drive up to the summit unless you rent from Harpers.

Can you walk up Mauna Kea?

The hiking trail to the summit of Maunakea is 6 miles (10 km) in length. The trail starts at the VIS, and climbs from 9,200 ft (2800 m) up to the summit at 13,800 ft (4,200 m). The average round-trip hiking time for experienced hikers is approximately eight (8) hours.

Is Mauna Kea closer to Hilo or Kona?

It takes 1-hour and 40-minutes to drive from Kona to Hilo. That is the shortest route, taking you between the massive shield volcanoes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, on the aptly named Saddle Road. Kailua-Kona to Hawai’i’s Volcanoes National Park is a 2-hour (83-mile) drive. From Hilo, the drive is 50-minutes (30-miles).

Is it hard to drive up Maunakea?

The road to the summit, with asphalt and gravel sections, is called Mauna Kea Access Road. It’s a 14,7-mile narrow road built in 1964. It can be dangerous, particularly in bad weather. This is one of the toughest drives in the world.

Can you walk up Maunakea?

Can you climb Maunakea?

Can you see Maunakea from Maui?

Mauna Kea is really a night time trip. There are day trips to see the volcano from Maui but they are expensive and you won’t see as much as you would if you were staying on the BI.

What time should I visit Mauna Kea?

Keep the Maunakea Rangers informed. The visiting hours to the summit area are from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. For your safety we ask that visitors leave the summit once it becomes dark. If you are visiting the summit area, please leave the landscape as you find it.

Is it hard to drive up Mauna Kea?