Mauna Kea aka: Kauna'oa Beach

It’s a straightforward hike from the visitor’s center to the summit. Be sure to sign in at the center and ask the staff about the weather conditions.

If you don’t mind cheating a bit, you can save 3/4 of a mile and 700 feet of elevation gain by driving your car up the summit road a bit, just to the 2nd switchback. There’s a small parking lot by the sign for the Ice Age National Area Reserve. A path leads you to the main trail. Most cars can make it to this switchback.

The main trail is well-marked. It’s a mixture of brutal slogs (straight up the hill) and more gently-sloping routes through a barren moonscape. The last part of the “trail” is on the access road, and it’s the last tough slog before the summit. If you’re in a hurry, wait until the concrete retaining wall on your right ends, then hike up the steep hill to the summit ridge. Otherwise, continue along the road to the observatories and follow the trail up to the true summit.

The trip will take anywhere from three to six hours, depending on your level of fitness and your familiarity with high altitude. Folks who live at sea level should plan for a longer day. If you get stuck or hurt, the access road is rarely more than 1/4 mile away.

Bring plenty of water, plenty of sunscreen, some snacks, a hat and jacket (that wind gets cold), a flashlight, and some basic first aid stuff in case you twist your ankle or something.

To get back down, you can hike down the trail or hitch a ride from a tourist. Most people are friendly and will be glad to lend you a hand.

For a shorter hike, take a 4×4 and drive up the road for a while. Just before the summit area there’s a pulloff for Lake Waiau. From there you can visit the lake (one of the highest in the country) and then follow the trail and road to the summit. That’s about 2 1/2 miles and 1100 feet.

its so beautiful

Try to go when there is a new moon.

Don’t pay for a guided tour. You can drive up by yourself if you have 4-wheel drive…just be careful, of course. Stop at the visitors center halfway up for hot chocolate. Take a jacket because it’s very cold at the top! After the sunset, stop at the visitors center on the way back down for FREE stargazing. No need to pay $200 when you can totally do it on your own.