Is Mauna Kea summit worth it?
My visit to the summit of Mauna Kea was perhaps the most inspiring excursion I’ve ever taken. The sunset from there is MUCH different than the sunset at sea level. To me, the expense was definitely worth it. We have only done the star gazing at the Vistor’s Center.
How do you get to the top of Mauna Kea?
There are four ways to get to the summit.
- Rent a Four-Wheel Drive Car. If you are planning to visit Mauna Kea independently, definitely rent a four-wheel-drive car.
- Take a Mauna Kea summit Tour.
- Hitchhike to the Summit.
- Hike the 8-Hour Trail.
How cold is Mauna Kea summit?
32 degrees Fahrenheit
How cold is it at the Mauna Kea summit area? The average temperature near the summit is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 Celsius. The wind-chill factor may dip the temperature far below freezing.
Can you visit Mauna Kea summit?
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.
Can you still drive to the top of Mauna Kea?
Q: Can you drive up to the MaunaKea summit? Yes, but not with any car and only during daylight hours. On the road from the visitor center to the summit only 4WD vehicles are allowed, and the summit is off-limits from half and hour after sunset. Read more about driving to the summit here.
Is Mauna Kea open right now?
WE ARE OPEN! For accurate GPS directions, type Onizuka Center for International Astronomy into your app. This should give you a location on the Maunakea Access Road.
Is it disrespectful to hike Mauna Kea?
WARNING: Hiking on Mauna Kea is a strenuous trek to the summit of a serious mountain. Despite the tropical locale, snowy conditions and hypothermia are always possible. Stay hydrated and be conscious of your vulnerability to altitude sickness, or acute mountain sickness. Be prepared!
Is Mauna Kea open 24 hours?
It is advised that you wait at least 30 minutes before ascending to the summit to give your body a chance to acclimate to the altitude. The summit access road closes 30 minutes after sunset and re-opens 30 minutes before sunrise. The paved Mauna Kea access road up to the Visitor Information Station is open 24 hours.
How hard is it to hike Mauna Kea?
The Mauna Kea Summit trail is a 11.5 mile round trip that ascends 4,500 feet beginning at the Onizuka Visitor Center. This is a very challenging hike and you must take the altitude, weather, and mountain conditions into account before setting out.
Can you do Mauna Kea on your own?
Yes, but not with any car and only during daylight hours. On the road from the visitor center to the summit only 4WD vehicles are allowed, and the summit is off-limits from half and hour after sunset. Read more about driving to the summit here. Q: Is going to the MaunaKea visitor center worth it?
Will Mauna Kea erupt again?
Mauna Kea last erupted about 4,500 years ago and is likely to erupt again. Its quiescent periods between eruptions are long compared to those of the active volcanoes Hualālai (which erupts every few hundred years), Mauna Loa (which erupts every few years to few tens of years) and Kīlauea (which erupts every few years).
Is Mauna Kea free?
Free, fun, and a perfect cap to your Big Island vacation, the Mauna Kea stargazing program at the summit of Hawaii’s tallest volcano provides visitors a guided educational opportunity to learn more about the observatories present on the volcano while helping amateur stargazers find the best views of the heavens above.