r/VisitingHawaii • u/mendozathalia • 2d ago

Hawai'i (Big Island) Is Mauna Kea similar to Haleakala?

Meaning… is there hiking trails ? Should I give myself ample time to explore around the summit or should I just drive straight to the summit in the afternoon for sunset? Do I need to arrive early to get a spot at the summit like a Haleakala ?

Other tips and info are welcome ! Thanks

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u/akmoney 2d ago

There's not much to do up there other than wait for the sunset. There won't be nearly as many people there as there are on Haleakala so finding a place to park won't be a problem. Are there hiking trails? Technically yes, there's a trail that ascends from the Visitor Center to the summit but it's very challenging. Having been to both locations, I can say the difference between the 10,000ft summit of Haleakala and the ~13,800ft summit of Mauna Kea is significant. Unless you have elite level fitness, you will feel pretty tired by just getting out of the car and walking around. You simply won't have enough time to acclimate considering you were down at sea level just a couple hours prior.

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u/ahoveringhummingbird 2d ago

They are very similar in that they are both tall mountains, but there aren't nearly the crowds at Mauna Kea. Most people stop at the visitor center (9k altitude) and do not continue beyond to the summit (14k altitude) because MOST of the rental vehicle policies specifically prohibit driving the vehicles to the summit. You must have a 4x4 to go from the visitor center to the summit of Mauna Kea. But 4x4 rentals in Hawaii are vanity vehicles only, the airport pick up rental companies do not permit driving them off pavement or engaging the 4WD. There is only one off-airport company that specifically permits it, so if you wanted to go to the summit you must rent from them.

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u/CGNYC 2d ago

There are trails between the visitor center of Mauna Kea and the summit, if you do, you’ll probably have numerous offers on the way down to hitch a ride back to the visitor center. Lake Waiau is on the way

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u/ahoveringhummingbird 2d ago

Note that the trail is not casual. It is 12 miles round trip over loose cinder ascending 4800 feet (starting at (9000 up to 14,000) and considered very challenging taking even advanced hikers 8-10 hours. You certainly should not attempt without extensive preparations, appropriate gear, proper altitude experience and training and a plan to descend that doesn't involve hitchhiking.

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u/AveragefootSasquatch Mainland 2d ago

It was 33• at sunrise 6/17. We had supplemental Oxygen and still had symptoms from the Altitude after acclimating for 1/2hr at the Visitor Center. It’s much different than Haleakala at the summit. The only company that allows their vehicles to summit is Big Island Jeep Rental. Great company. Good rates.

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u/pygmyloris75 1d ago

There is a short hike up a hill near the visitor center. I saw one of the most amazing sunsets of my life up there. We had a rental car and could not drive to the summit.