Kilauea crater getting more active?

[dmbrand]

We just went to the eruption yesterday. As stated earlier, the Crater Rim Drive is closed after the Jaggar Museum. If you can plan to go during the evening hours, the crater eruption is bright orange.

To see the point where the lava flows into the ocean, drive Hwy 130(off Hwy 11) all the way until the road ends. The county has set up a viewing area, 1/2 mile away from the point of entry. It is a 3/4 mile hike across an old lava field to get to the site. We saw this during the day, but the night would be better. Viewing is until 10pm; last car allowed in at 8pm. Drive past all the "Do not enter" signs.(You're not breaking any laws). Bring binoculars for the day, and flashlights for night(to illuminate your path). You can see small fires buring up the hillside. The county employees/volunteers even assist with parking. There is no cost for this viewing.

We are staying at the Hilton-Waikoloa, so we didn't stay until dark; we did drive back on Saddle Road after 9pm, though. The road is newly paved and lit with road reflectors until just outside Waikoloa Village(town). It is very curvy, but not dangerous. Any car can navigate this now, and driving it didn't violate our Thrify car rental agreement. It saved us about 30min drive time over the north route to Hilo.

We leave for home tomorrow. This has been such a nice vacation.

 

[Palguy]

We just went to the eruption yesterday. As stated earlier, the Crater Rim Drive is closed after the Jaggar Museum. If you can plan to go during the evening hours, the crater eruption is bright orange.

To see the point where the lava flows into the ocean, drive Hwy 130(off Hwy 11) all the way until the road ends. The county has set up a viewing area, 1/2 mile away from the point of entry. It is a 3/4 mile hike across an old lava field to get to the site. We saw this during the day, but the night would be better. Viewing is until 10pm; last car allowed in at 8pm. Drive past all the "Do not enter" signs.(You're not breaking any laws). Bring binoculars for the day, and flashlights for night(to illuminate your path). You can see small fires buring up the hillside. The county employees/volunteers even assist with parking. There is no cost for this viewing.

We are staying at the Hilton-Waikoloa, so we didn't stay until dark; we did drive back on Saddle Road after 9pm, though. The road is newly paved and lit with road reflectors until just outside Waikoloa Village(town). It is very curvy, but not dangerous. Any car can navigate this now, and driving it didn't violate our Thrify car rental agreement. It saved us about 30min drive time over the north route to Hilo.

We leave for home tomorrow. This has been such a nice vacation.

Would and evening viewing be better at the Jagger Museum to watch the Halema`uma`u vent or the ocean entry? We only have one evening to visit and must choose one or the other.

 

[DeniseM]

Would and evening viewing be better at the Jagger Museum to watch the Halema`uma`u vent or the ocean entry? We only have one evening to visit and must choose one or the other.

Since you have your grandson with you, I wouldn't do the 3/4 mile hike in the dark. YMMV

 

[dmbrand]

I think viewing either one at night will be spectacular....after all, this is the only active volcano in the world right now.(Or so they rangers said)

If I had this info before we came, I would have chosen the ocean entry point. Even though we were 1/2 mile away, and the view is partially blocked by a cliff, when it is dark, they say that the glowing lava hitting the ocean surf looks awesome. Also, you can look up the mountain to see the glow from the trail of the lava. During the day, we saw the huge steam plume as the lava hit the ocean. Keep in mind that this is the freebie way to do it. A guided hike may take you closer, but I am not totally sure about that.

The crater in the National Park is exhaling large amounts of gas(blowing away from us, luckily), and sometimes a mini explosion(we weren't fortunate to see this though). At night, though, this crater glows bright orange.

If you do choose the hike over the lava field, wear good shoes, and bring flash lights to illuminate the reflective posts and paint sprayed on the rocks. They call it the "yellow brick road". You should be able to walk on uneven ground, this is not paved at all. I saw an older gentleman lose his footing and fall(he was trying to save his camera), and hit his knee hard enough that it bled. They had a first aid kit at the volunteer station.

They seem to be very encouraging of everyone having a chance to see this. I would have taken my son at 12yr, but we are a pretty athletic, adventurous family. My concern would be having enough light for the walk back in the dark; there are no street lights of any kind out there.

To be honest, seeing both during the daylight was fun. The National Park had other things to see, such as the steam vents, and Thurston tube, as well as the crater.

Well worth the drive!

 

[dmbrand]

This is a photo of the entry point for the lava into the ocean.

June 2009

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

This is a photo of the entry point for the lava into the ocean.

June 2009

Unfortunately it wasn't doing anything like that when we were there in August 2008.

 

[daventrina]

Be lucky...

Here's why doing it at night is a good idea: (if your lucky and Pele treats you to a great show like on July 14, 08 )

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dntanderson/2782627158/sizes/o/in/set-72157606187122921/
More:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dntanderson/sets/72157606187122921/
Check out this video:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dntanderson/2781763987/in/set-72157606187122921/

We were so lucky. In the wee hours of the morning that we were going to check things out, there was a quake. The flow shifted and a wonderful path to the sea begun. We planned to arrive an hour or so before sunset, but there was an accident along a two lane section that caused an hour delay (take plenty of snacks and drinks). Arrived just before sunset. We had two flashlights, two spares, spare batteries, and light sticks (just in case the other 4 failed). Didn't use any. The trail was well marked and we were fortunate enough to have a full moon that night. Flashlights were more of an annoyance than help as when you got your night vision back it was hard not to get blasted by someones flashlight (for some reason some people think that flashing them all over works better than shining them on the ground where you are walking).

We stopped at the crater lookout in the park in the way back. It is only a few minutes out of the way. We were planning on doing that on the way in, but the accident nixed that plan. Worked out better anyway. We could see the lave well in addition to the steam cloud. And there was no one collection admission at 11:30. It was a nice stop to break up the long drive on the way back.

Lessons learned:
A tripod is probabluy worth the hassle.
A video camera would be good (if you forget it or didn't take one many cameras have video options that work not all that bad.
A billed hat would help keep other peoples flashlights out of your eyes
Don't even think about flip-flops (but they are nice for ont the way as it is a LONG drive)
Did I mention that it is a LONG DAY (and night). we got back about 2 something am.
When you think that you have enough snacks packed, grab a few extras.
Get gas before heading back towards Kalapana and the volcano. There station on the right just past the turn. (we filled up again on the way home just in case).
Keep an eye on the time so you don't get locked in unless you walked the extra way to park outside the gate.
If you plan on sneaking past the baracade (which a number of people did as they were easy to see because they were flashing their lights all over) take boots, long pants, gloves and a GPS. We we didn't bring any of those, we were tempted, but didn't.
Did anyone mention that there is lava induces lightning?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dntanderson/2782627252/sizes/o/in/set-72157606187122921/

 

[daventrina]

This is a photo of the entry point for the lava into the ocean.
...
June 2009

The mound by the top right I believe is the one that we watched being created...

 

[Timeshare Von]

Thanks for sharing D&T . . . we are looking forward to our trip back to the Big Island in September!