lava viewing in Kalapana?

[Eric1600]

It's 2.7 miles on the road where most people stop and stare at the mountain this is the start of the park. Many people also begin to cross the lava here too but it's about another 1.4 miles however this is all across private land. But no one seems to care.

If you go about 4 miles down the road you can cut across less lava to the 0.6 lava front (turn off road at 19.32206N, 155.03916W). Go another mile or so to get a good view of the lava coming down the mountain. Angle towards 19.32838N, 155.04536W to stay on park property.

http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/maps/

Closest front of the lava is about 19.33064N, 155.04343W (private land) and closest to the mountain is about 19.34201N, 155.04651W (just inside the park at make-shift helipad).

It changes daily, so this information is outdated, but it's a starting point.

[SBH]

Thanks Eric for answering Paul's question. The flow front wasn't very active on Sunday so we hiked a little further up to witness more impressive breakouts. If you go 4 miles down CofC and then head up over lava you'll avoid trespassing on private property and will be hiking in HVNP.

[PaulW]

Thank you both.

[taropatch]

quote:

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Originally posted by PaulW

"Basically 5 miles to reach the flow."
But most of that is on a road, correct?

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That is correct. About 4.5 miles on the road, then walk mauka about half mile across the lava field right up to the oozing flow. Did it last Tuesday. If you start around 5:00pm, it's easier to "go in" before dusk hits; especially the rough part over the lava field. TIP: Bike in and you will be glad you did, but don't know what you will chain your bike to.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

don't know what you will chain your bike to.

Even if you wrap a locked chain around your bike, unattached to anything, a thief would have to be exceptionally determined to carry it out 5 miles. Cause, who carries a bolt cutter on a 5 mile hike?
If you return from the lava to find your bike missing, there's still a good chance you could catch up to the no good robber-stealer by hoofing it back to the parking area at a good clip cause he'll be moving slow and taking plenty of rest stops.

You're probably ok if you chain 2 or more bikes together to make them as unwieldy as possible.

“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.”
-Joseph Brodsky

[Eric1600]

quote:

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Originally posted by taropatch

don't know what you will chain your bike to.

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There are tall road signs all along the road, just pick one. As more bikes appear they might start to get crowded, but I don't think anyone is going to try to carry one off either.

[Chas]

So just to clarify, it's the same distance walking down the gravel road from either the Kalapana or the National Park side?

The reason I ask is because we like to start out late at night (around 10pm to midnight) and stay till morning. I'm assuming they won't let us come in that late on the Kalapana side.

Thanks

[Eric1600]

It's about the same distance from the parking lots on either side, but a lot more driving in general if you go via the Chain of Craters road (assuming you're in Puna/Hilo).

Hard to plan for every possible contingency. You'll probably just have to try it. I don't know how they would close anything at Kalapana because there's not much to close. You park at the end of the road and walk. There's no gates up to that point.

[Chas]

Thank you Eric.

[Carey]

The National Park Service sent out this email yesterday, so it now looks like the NPS rangers will be placing light beacons along CoC emergency route to indicate the closest route to the front:
"Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park News Release
Release Date: July 15, 2016
Contact: Jessica Ferracane/Public Affairs Specialist, jessica_ferracane@nps.gov , 808-985-6018



Park Offers Route and Tips for Viewing Lava Flows



Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i –Visitors may hike and bicycle along the gravel emergency access route at the end of Chain of Craters Road to view and access lava as it flows down the P#363;lama Pali and spreads out onto the coastal lava plain in the national park, and towards the ocean.



From Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the easiest vantage point to view this current eruptive activity is from a distance at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Visitors are encouraged to stop at the Coastal Ranger Station (CRS) to talk with park rangers, view eruption and hiking tip exhibits, and watch a four-minute lava safety video. A public spotting scope is available to view the eruptive activity from a distance, as staffing allows. The park is open 24 hours a day.



Hiking to the lava from the park is allowed, but it’s not for everyone. From the CRS, it’s a long, hot, and grueling 10- to 12-mile roundtrip hike. Hikers can walk along the gravel emergency access route for about 3.8 miles, and then turn inland at a light beacon which marks the closest point to the active flow front, currently about a ½ mile from the route. The flow field is a rough hike, with deep earth cracks, uneven terrain, and razor-sharp lava from older flows.



Rangers placed another light beacon 4.8 miles down the emergency access route, about 50 yards inland from the road, as a suggested starting point for hikers from the Kalapana side. The county Kalapana Lava Viewing Area near the park’s eastern boundary also offers a vantage point of the current eruption, and is open daily from 3 p.m.

#8203;to 9 p.m.#8203;


Hikers are urged to be prepared, and to head out in daylight. There is no trail or marked route to the lava, which continues to flow and change daily. It is easy to become disoriented after dark. Each person needs about a gallon of water, sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, gloves to protect the hands, and long pants to protect against lava rock abrasions. Wear sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Each person needs a flashlight and/or headlight with extra batteries.



“If you’re planning an excursion to the lava flows, go during daylight hours,” advised Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando, who hiked out across the lava plain earlier this week. “It’s still a long, tough hike, but the viewing has been excellent by day,” she said.



Experienced bicyclists can also use the emergency access route, but the loose gravel makes it a challenging ride for inexperienced riders. Cyclists are urged to ride during daylight hours only. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.


Orlando also reminds hikers to respect Hawaiian culture. Many native Hawaiians believe that lava is the kinolau, or physical embodiment, of volcano goddess Pele. Poking lava with sticks and other objects is disrespectful. It’s also illegal in national parks. Federal law prohibits “possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging or disturbing” natural and cultural resources (36 CFR § 2.1). Pets and unmanned aerial systems, or drones, are also prohibited on the flow field in the national park.



Volcanic gas is another hazard, particularly to people with heart or respiratory problems, and infants, young children and pregnant women. If air irritates, smells bad or makes breathing difficult, visitors should leave the area.



Volcanoes are dynamic and ever-changing natural phenomena. The information provided can change at any time.



For hiking tips, visit the park website https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/u...g-Tips.pdf. For the latest eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Monitor air quality at

http://www.hawaiiso2network.com/.



-NPS-