Mauna Kea Vacations, Mauna Kea Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Mauna Kea Vacation Guide

Rising 33,476 feet above its base on the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and is one of the five volcanoes that form the Big Island of Hawaii. In Hawaiian, Mauna Kea means "white mountain," in reference to its frequently snow-capped summit from November through March. The summit is eerily otherworldly--barren lava rock and tundra like one might imagine the Martian landscape. Numerous cinder cones are typically the best spots for skiing and snowboarding. Lake Waiau, at 13,020 feet, is seemingly out of place in the barren tundra.

The Mauna Kea summit is one of the premier astronomical observatories in the world, and it is home to 13 state-of-the-art telescopes. The high altitude, dry air, and low light pollution make Mauna Kea ideal for astronomy. The Keck Observatory and UH 2.2m telescope have visitor centers and allow telescope viewing during limited hours.

A trip to the Mauna Kea summit starts on Saddle Road. Turn onto the Mauna Kea Access Road at mile 28. About an hour from Hilo, at 9,000 feet elevation, is the Visitor Information Station at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. Summit tours and stargazing events begin here. The summit is another 30 minutes beyond this elevation. Steep switchbacks, unpaved roads, and unpredictable extreme weather require a four-wheel drive vehicle for independent travelers.