Hawaii: A visit to Volcano National Park

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During my trip to the Big Island of Hawaii I visited the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This was about 20 miles south of Hilo on Highway 19. It is on the rainy eastern coast. You drive with mountains on your left and the ocean on your right. There are many scenic stops to enjoy the ocean and sea cliff views. I am told you may also see whales in this area, but I didn’t see them.

DescriptionHawaii Volcanoes National Park is on Hawaii Island (the Big Island). At its heart are the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa active volcanoes. The Crater Rim Drive passes steam vents and the Jaggar Museum, which features volcanology exhibits and a viewpoint overlooking Halema'uma'u Crater. Thick ferns mark the entrance to the Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku). The Chain of Craters Road weaves over lava. Trails crisscross the park. The changes to Kīlauea caldera and to Halema‘uma‘u, the volcano’s summit crater, are staggering to anyone who has seen them prior to the 2018 eruptive events. One of many amazing new sights is the section of Crater Rim Drive that slid into Halema‘uma‘u and is currently hanging on the crater wall. Its yellow centerline stripes give it away. Visitors can safely observe this from open vantage points on the south side of Halema‘uma‘u. Parking is available at Devastation Trailhead. Walk to the intersection of Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. The route, along Crater Rim Drive, is open only to pedestrians and bicyclists. Be aware of extensive earthquake damage along the road.

Lava waves

Lava Mountain and Lava Landscapes, plus huge cracks in Lava plates.

This lava mountains were over six feet tall, perhaps lava hill is more precise :)

These lava landscapes

And in this awesome display of molten rock several feet thick there were cracks and broken lava.

And then there were small flowering plants, showing that plants and flowers can grow anywhere Even in this barren, rock several feet thick.

It was so big, the lava stretched across the horizon as far as I could see. It was like I was on another planet, until I found the ocean. Then I knew I was still on planet earth.

The recent earthquake had damaged the area, so footing was treacherous and many areas were off limits. But we had driven miles to see this, so if there was a safe way to view it. We were going to find it. It was wet and cold, but we kept telling ourselves a warm fire, dry towels and hot food were waiting for us and we pushed on for our reward. These views.

Later, gathered around the fire, drinking hot drinks and speaking in wonderment about what we had just seen. We decided that the hours of travel, long hikes, wet clothes and cold bodies were worth it.

There are many wonders on this earth and I hope you enjoy these pictures of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, in Volcano, Hawaii.

@shortsegments