Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

A lava breakout from the Kilauea lava flow.
A lava breakout in a flow from Pu’u O’o covers the old coast road, which is now a trail (here).

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Parks.’ See more responses here.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is the best known park on the island. It covers 354,461 acres, which includes, not just the Kilauea area, but up to the summit of Mauna Loa and down the southwest rift zone of that volcano. The park contains 106 miles of roads and 155 miles of marked trails, many of them well off the beaten track.

I’ve hiked a lot in the park, though I doubt I’ll ever cover all the trails, but these photos are from ones I’ve done with links to the original posts for those interested.

On the Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs Trail (here).
View from Hilina Pali Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Great views on the Hilina Pali Trail, but this one nearly did me in! (here).
The Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent from the Nāpau Crater overlook.
Puʻu ʻŌʻō from the end of the Nāpau Trail (here and here).
A low section of Puapo'o lava tube
Puapo’o lava tube is only accessible on a guided tour (here).
The interior of Thurston Lava Tube at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Nahuku lava tube is one of the most popular stops in the park (here).
Kilauea Iki is another popular trail, across the floor of an old vent (here).
Steam rises alongside the Steam Vents trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Steaming Bluff on the Crater Rim Trail (here).
Daybreak reveals the onlookers gathered at the Jaggar Museum viewing point.
The Jaggar Museum viewing point. The museum has gone but the viewing point just reopened (here).
Sulphur Banks Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Sulphur Banks Trail (here).
A mossy path in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Halemauma Trail passes through the woods (here).
The Puna Coast Trail features colorful lava (here)…
Colored lava on the Ka'u Desert Trail, Hawaii
…As does the Ka’u Desert Trail (here).
Hiking in Kahuku
A lush valley in the Kahuku section of the park (here).

Also posted for Jo’s Monday Walk. See more responses here.

24 thoughts on “Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park”

    1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      It’s a great park to visit and see all the different things. I’m always amazed at the what’s growing in relatively recent flows. The guided lava tube tour was fabulous. So much of interest in there.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

          The ranger said there are moths, crickets, and spiders, one a huntsman and the other a tiny, near invisible thing that builds gossamer webs. I imagine other creatures use the tubes too, especially near the entrances.

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Terri Webster Schrandt's avatarTerri Webster Schrandt

    Glad you could double dip with walks in Hawaii Volcanoes NP! We took at least 2 of those hikes in 2018. I remember seeing the Sulphur rocks and seeing people walking on Kileaua Iki. We saw that from the park lookout spot that was recently opened. Mind boggling. Wonderful pics of the NP, Graham! Have you seen any of the latest eruption?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      I went down in the middle of June and saw the fountaining. Did a post here
      The most recent one, on Memorial Day weekend, was spectacular with fountaining over 1000 feet.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. The Snow Melts Somewhere's avatarThe Snow Melts Somewhere

    I’ll always marvel at how nonchalant everyone is in these photos. My imagination is too wild: I’d be sure more lava was about to burst out at a new spot anytime and I’d definitely not be standing around there just chatting!

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      Nonchalant is perilously close to ignorant! Those people could easily have had the crust break up under them with disastrous results. This scene was probably the most surreal experience I’ve had in Hawaii.

      Liked by 1 person

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