If stars and the far-off night sky touch the romantic soul in
you and famous mountain peaks give you a change in attitude only
because of the awe-inspiring altitude they’re at, then a visit
to Hawaiii would be incomplete without a trip in to Mauna Kea
for you!
That’s because Mauna Kea located at a height of 4,200 meters
boasts magnificent summit scenery like none other in the
tropical regions as it encompasses the beauty of the sea below
with a breath-taking view from the mountain perch that is home
to a futuristically designed and advanced
technology-driven observatory beneath the tranquil, seemingly
endless Hawaiian skies.
So, nature buffs, star-gazers, mountain-climbers, bikers and
those born with gypsy feet – or even gypsy hearts – would do
well to visit Mauna Kea on their Hawaii holiday if something
different from the touristy brochure-driven vacations is what
they are looking for!
Mauna kea is not the largest observatory in the world for
viewing optical, infrared and what is known as, sub millimeter
astronomy, in scientific terms, for nothing, if not being for it
being the most famous of all mountain peaks beautifying the
natural, lush, tropical landscape at the Big Island!
It measures 13796 ft and still defies definition as a single
peak, according to geologists who have found it to be formed out
of a group of volcanic cinder cones, all of varying color and
size, ranging from black to red and rock-sized mounds to huge
series of gargantuan boulders. This is why Mauna Kea is often
said to embody the immense spirit and heart of Hawaii itself.
But, even with this exciting event occurring pretty regularly,
it is Mauna Kea with its steep, sometimes daunting (at least for
the inexperienced hiker) that boasts a bird’s eye-view of the
landscape spanning earth, ocean, merging skies and land with
earth-forms as diverse as birds, animals, people from visiting
and local lands within it that makes climbing it to take in the
superb summit views a shorter and unforgettable sight and trip!
The actual trail leading up to Mauna Kea summit measures 6 miles
and is well maintained say recent tourists, who start their walk
up from Onizuka Visitor Center, located at 2804 m (about 9200
ft). The track resembles a casually paved hiking road and passes
the Ice Age Reserve boundary of Mauna Kea, located at 13200 feet
before finishing off at its highest tourist access trail point
at 13700 feet. Another 10-15 minute walk precedes the 100 feet
of elevation gained before reaching the road’s end, which
enables one to breathe in the abundant natural beauty
perceivable from such an awesome height and perhaps –even feel a
non-chemical high at being up, up and away – among the wandering
clouds at Mauna Kea’s scenic summit.
For the best experience of Mauna Kea, however, tourists are
advised to visit during the summer solstice, which is said to be
an unforgettable holiday memory anyone can make in Hawaii as
witnessing the sunset and night sky view during this time is
something almost venerated by the locals – and thus, part of any
true Hawaiian vacation.
Lake Waiau, located nearby, provides a relaxing day-trip with
its 10 feet depth of water, ideal for families with small
children. Other local attractions while at Mauna Kea include sea
diving, cycling, hunting outside the perimeter of the Mauna Kea
Ice Age Natural Reserve and touring the nearby regions with a
professional guide (paid as per quote).
