8:28. On the way to the summit.... lava lava everywhere We visited the rangers on a Thursday morning and got squared away then had relatives drive the three of us (all friends, Geoff, Brad and me) to the trailhead at 6700'. Before you go… be advised that: The hiking trail to the summit of Maunakea is 6 miles (10 km) in length.

Mauna Loa Lookout (mile 0) to Red Hill Cabin (mile 7.5) This 7.5 mile distance is a great first day for those backpacking to the top of Mauna Loa. There are two cabins on Mauna Loa available to hikers: the Pu`u `Ula`ula Rest House, located on the Mauna Loa Trail at 10035 ft, and the Mauna Loa Cabin, located on the east rim of the summit caldera at the end of the Cabin Trail at 13250 ft. Brutal but supremely cool hike up mauna loa (second tallest peak of Hawaii, behind Mauna kea, which is closed due to protest). 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). By contrast, you need to hike to the Mauna Loa summit. For most folks, it’s a great two-day hike with a one-night campout.

Mauna Loa Summit Day Hike Hike Level: Difficult.

Yet, it could offer a far superior hiking challenge. Mauna Loa Peak at 13,677' is the little sister to Mauna Kea, just across the valley. When you arrive at the trailhead, the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station , you need to fill out a form and leave it in a dropbox in front of the building. Came to within a mile of the intersection with Observatory Trail and turned around due to weather. Eats Raw Till 4 Vegan Although Mauna Kea is slightly higher at 13,796 ft (4,205 m), its summit, home to a large complex of astronomical observatories, is easily accessible by a road and heavily visited. Mauna Loa Cabin Trail via Observatory Trail is a 12.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Honaunau, Hawaii, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. On a clear day you can see Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Pacific Ocean. With 7600 feet elevation gain, this is the steepest and most difficult of the three trails to the summit of the mountain. Trail begins at the Kīpukapuaulu parking area. Mauna Kea from the Slopes of Mauna Loa The entire upper portion of the mountain is leased by the University of Hawai’i. We headed out from this trailhead sometime after sunrise, perhaps 7:15a.m. Our Fitness Levels: Jen – age 31 – runs 6 times a week, 4-8 mile runs. The Red Hill Cabin lies at an elevation of 10,035ft, and you’ll gain 3,373ft to reach here on your first day. Please refer to the drive details for reaching this hike.

Elevation signs mark your progress.

The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from April until October. The Ainapo Trail is 20.4 miles round trip to the Mauna Loa Summit Cabin and usually takes three days.

Total time: 10 hours and 20 minutes . MAUNAKEA TRAIL Hiking is at your own risk! Mauna Loa Trail [CLOSED] is a 36.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pahala, Hawaii, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. There is a small lookout shelter and a pit toilet at the turn-around at the end of Mauna Loa Road. The summit of Mauna Loa is accessible from a number of directions and by using a number of trails, most of which are within the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy the views back towards the steaming Kilauea volcano if the skies are clear. There are two ways to climb to the summit of Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa is not to be confused with the other large volcano on Hawaii, Mauna Kea.

Register at the VIS. Walk by lava tree molds and climb 210 feet (64m) to the top of a forested cinder cone, Pu‘u Huluhulu (hairy hill). Mauna Kea from the Slopes of Mauna Loa The entire upper portion of the mountain is leased by the University of Hawai’i. Leave the scattered trees, birdsong, and vegetation behind as you climb steadily uphill, encountering many neat lava tubes. Mauna Loa Trail and Observatory Trail runs . The hike: you will only need to follow the Mauna Loa Trail for a short distance to see the rugged beauty of Mauna Loa.