I had the privilege of coincidentally planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii in November of 2021 and spending a night at the campground of Volcanoes National Park when Mauna Kilauea and Pele began to erupt that September. It was one of the most incredible events I have witnessed in person and reporting on its current eruption the last month has me looking back at my own experience.
After being on the island for a couple days, I arrived in the Namakanipaio campground for Volcanoes National Park in the afternoon and after setting up in my cabin and eating dinner, I made my way over to the park which was 3 miles away.
I had timed my arrival with sunset because that was when viewing was supposed to be optimal. There were two areas in the national park that allowed access the eruption, I visited the area on the north side of Kaluapele (the caldera) past the Volcano House. There was a paved path that directed us along the edge to where the lava was spewing up into the air.
I only travel with my iPhone and it was misty enough for my rain jacket so the pictures are somewhat muted, yet still beautiful as the flowing lava lit up the night sky.
The next morning, I got up well before sunrise and rode my rented bike back to the park on the wide shoulder along HI 11 and down along the Chain of Craters Road to the other side of the caldera where I was able to bypass the daily anticipated parking crunch and ride out to the viewing point.
Even when the sun had come up, it was an impressive sight.
As the viewing point filled up with people, I moved down a short distance to check out more of the lava folds and crevasses along the crater rim.
After I had had my fill, I rode my bike back up the road and made a stop at Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube).
I also rode over to the area I had been the night before to check out some of the overlooks and crater rim trails on that side in the daylight.
It was unearthly to walk along next to the steaming volcano vents.
The Ha’akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) was similar to being at Yellowstone National Park.
On the ride back to the campground, I briefly took the road to Mauna Loa to where there were tree molds left from a fossilized forest. It might have been more impressive if I had not already visited the Trail of Two Forests near Mount St Helens the year.
I made it back to the campground in time to enjoy a picnic lunch and check out before driving back to Volcanoes National Park, visiting the visitor center, Volcano House and driving the Chain of Craters Road to its end. But that is for another post…
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