About Susie Renner Expertise I have traveled the Hawaii Volcanoes National park many times. Seeing lava in the crater, to explosions of hot lava and gasses into the sea. A spectacular sight in the evening. I have hiked in, driven around and flown over this park and it`s always an exciting experience.
Experience I have traveled the Hawaii Volcanoes National park many times. Seeing lava in the crater, to explosions of hot lava and gasses into the sea. A spectacular sight in the evening. I have hiked in, driven around and flown over this park and it's always an exciting experience.
I'l be going to Hawaii in 2 weeks, and I'll be spending some time on the Big Island (a week or so, hosteling). I don't have camping gear, and going alone, I'd be a little hesitant to camp on my own. Which other ways are there to spent more time in the park and maybe see the lava flows by night?
Also, what was your best experience? (I'm a little overwhelmed by all the info in the guide books.)
Anna
Answer Anna,
The drive from VNP back to Hilo is short and easy. So, you can stay into the darkness to see the lava at night and still have a good town to go back to. I am not familiar with hostiles - but I am sure they are around.
Funny that you should ask about the park at night and my best experience. It was at the ocean edge when lava was pouring from a lava tube into the ocean. We didn't get too close to the lava flow, although others really went so close they had to run when a steam or gas burst shot lava very far. That was a sight to see. We had been hiking on the hard new lava all day, and just as the sun was setting the lava really picked up and put on quite a show. We stayed until 11pm or later, even after being there all day. Word must spread because people were still coming when we left. Plan on a HUGE GOOD flashlight and loads of batteries to hike at night. Besides the black lava, Hawaii has rules about lights even like street lights and such, due to the observatory there. It gets very dark. Sounds strange, but you'll see.
In the day light the best thing we did on land was go to the Green Sand Beach from the trail head at South Point. That beach is amazing. Pack as tho your life depends on it, because it does. Have water, food and sturdy shoes. Lava eats up shoes fast. It's a good long walk and was over 80 degrees even when we did it last December....and there is no shade or natural fresh water on the way.
And then we Scuba, so that is also amazing in the clear waters of Hawaii.
Let me know if I can help more. Directly at home
"drenner@seidata.com" if you'd like.
Susie
