In a recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii we managed to find a little bit of time to make it to the top of Manua Kea.

For those of you who don’t know, Mauna Kea is that large inactive half of the volcano on the Big Island where people from all over the world come and use remotely, the power of the thin atmosphere and some of the best telescopes in the world to view the stars.

You can visit Mauna Kea, and drive all the way up to the telescopes and stand right next to them and admire them in all their beauty. But do so with caution, not only is the air super thin up there, but it’s also a wee dangerous with incomplete roads, ice, and very high winds.

In order to make it to the top of Mauna Kea you’ll need to drive on some pothole filled roads so make sure you have a vehicle that can withstand the bumps. Or make sure you purchase the vehicle insurance from the car rental agency.

Next you need to get to saddle road, which you’ll be able to see on this map connects the west and east sides of the island. As I mentioned, it’s a super bumpy road and is a little crazy getting from one end to the other. You’ll need to go about half way to the Mauna Kea Access Road.

You’ll know you’ve made it to the correct road because the there will be a really large rock structure sticking up in the middle of a long flat lava flow. Head up and watch for invisible cows (more on that later.)

You’ll climb quickly from the saddle road which is at like 3000 feet to the visitor center which is at 9200 feet. At the visitor center you will need to hang out for 30 minutes to an hour in order for your body to adjust to the thinner air. If you don’t do this you will most likely pass out half way up the next stretch of road to the summit.

Once you hang out, have some hot chocolate, see some silversword, maybe play some cards, you can then proceed on. You’ll move up into the clouds and onto a really sketchy road. DRIVE SLOW. You’ll notice the signs all have holes in them so the highspeed winds can go through them. If you feel faint, turn around, the road doesn’t get any better until 13000 feet.

Once you’re on the top, you’re at 13,796 feet. Hop out, take some pictures and notice the cool air. You’re now standing on the tallest mountain in the world (although really if you measure mount everest from the sea floor isn’t that the tallest?)

• Repaving of Hawaii Roads
• Windy Days in Hawaii
• Hiking: Kuliou’ou Ridge Trail

               
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