Before we leave the Volcanoes National Park, there was one more place we wanted to see. That was Mauna Ulu. Mauna Ulu is part of the active volcano Kilauea, and last erupted between 1969 and 1974. That is not too long ago!
The trail to Maula Ulu goes first through an older cinder cone called Pu’u Huluhulu. From the Chain of Craters road, a small road goes to the parking lot. The trail starts very close to the parking lot. This area is known for the rare sighting of the Nene geese, an endangered Hawaiian species. Sadly, we did not get to see any Nene.
We started on our trail towards Mauna Ulu. The initial part of the trail goes over an open lava field. It was drizzling, windy, and cold. But we were in great spirits after a memorable day at the Volcanoes National Park.
Its windy, cold, and drizzly - but the spirits are high!
M on the Mauna Ulu trail
The trail passed through a forested area after the lava field. In this area, there is a wall of lava some ten-fifteen feet tall by the side of the trail. This was really remarkable. Even though it has been some thirty odd years since molten lava has flown around this area, the wall of lava is a testimony to its great power. Seeing the lava was a humbling experience.
A wall of lava at the trail
Further down the trail, it started to rain, and wind got much stronger. It was also getting rather cloudy, and light was low. So, we turned back somewhere near Pu’u Huluhulu. Back near the start of the trail, we decided to investigate the road that went a few hundred feet or more and was stopped unceremoniously by lava flow in 1974.
End of the road
R sportingly posed with the lava.
1974 lava flow
Near the parking lot, there were signs of lava flow all over. It was interesting to see remnants of lava partially covering the road at places. Wish I was there when it all happened. It will be interesting to get back there if (rather, when) it happens again.
Lava flow on the road
So, with overcast sky in our wake, we drove out of Volcanoes National Park on our way to Kona, where the sun shines more often. M kept talking about wanting to see Nene, but it was not to be. Somewhere, as we were leaving the park, we thought we saw a Nene by the side of the road, but no! The bird in question turned out to be a giant partridge.
Looks like we will need to go back to Hawaii again to meet up with the Nene!
