Mauna Kea Trail

The trail is a {{convert|6|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} long, unmaintained dirt and scree path with two short road sections, about {{cvt|600|ft}} at the beginning and about {{cvt|1|mi}} near the summit.[http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/visiting-mauna-kea/hiking.html "Hiking to the Summit"] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20181025065438/http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/visiting-mauna-kea/hiking.html archive]). ifa.hawaii.edu. Mauna Kea Support Services / Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. Retrieved February 15, 2019. Cairns and reflective posts mark the route above {{cvt|10000|ft}}.

The summit region is typically very cold, and winter storms can deposit up to {{cvt|2|ft}} of snow in January and February.{{cite web|title=Mauna Kea|url=http://www.summitpost.org/mauna-kea/150854|website=summitpost.org|accessdate=22 October 2014}} Astronomical instruments are located near the summit since the atmosphere is substantially thinner at higher elevations than at sea level. Mauna Loa is visible on clear days from the summit area, as well as along most of the trail.

File:Mauna Loa (5826069415).jpg from the Mauna Kea trail]]

The trailhead is located at the Visitor Information Station of the Onizuka Center at {{convert|9200|ft|0|abbr=on}} ({{coord |19|45|42|N| 155|27|22|W| type:landmark_region:US-HI |display=inline |name=Mauna Kea Trail head}}). The center is accessible by car from the Saddle Road (Hawaii Route 200) and then north on the Mauna Kea Access Road. Registration is requested and a drop box is available for hikers who start before the visitor center opens. The first {{cvt|600|ft}} of the trail is on the Mauna Kea Access Road after which the trail goes left onto a dirt path. From {{convert|10000|to|11000|ft|0|abbr=on}} the path consists of scree. From {{convert|11000|to|12800|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} the area is predominantly a'a lava flows and is not as steep. At {{convert|13130|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} the road forks, with one path going to Lake Waiau and the other fork to the summit. At {{convert|13200|ft|0|abbr=on}}, the trail intersects and follows the Mauna Kea Access Road, including two switchbacks, to the Mauna Kea Observatories at {{convert|13680|ft|0|abbr=on}}. A final trail segment leads to the summit.

Since the mountain is considered sacred to the Native Hawaiians, a sign is posted asking visitors to not access the summit cinder cone, which is named Puʻu Wekiu. The sign reads: {{blockquote|Aloha. Mauna Kea is historically, culturally and environmentally significant. Help preserve our cultural and natural landscape and show your respect by not hiking beyond this point to the summit.[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mauna_kea_summit_area_sign_(cropped).jpg "Summit area sign image"]. Wikimedia. April 12, 2016.}}

• [https://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/mko/ Maunakea Observatories], Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii
• [https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=332030 Mauna Kea], Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution

{{coord|19|47|22|N|155|27|48|W|display=title}}

Category:Hiking trails in Hawaii

Category:Protected areas of Hawaii (island)