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- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Nāpau CraterHawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI
The route: We will hike from Kealakomo Overlook to Nāpau Crater Overlook, taking the Naulu Trail to the Nāpau Crater Trail. This is not the full Nāpau Trail. Along the way, we will have a view of Makaopuhi Crater and pass the remains of an old pulu factory on the way to the Nāpau Crater (pictured here). About half of the route is over open lava rock (rougher terrain, no shade, can get windy), and half in forest (softer terrain, in the shade).
Mileage: This is an out and back hike. It's about 10 miles and 1,100 feet elevation gain in total. Difficulty is moderate and it should take 4-5 hours, expecting a 2-2.5 mph pace.
Park fee: The standard entrance pass per vehicle is $30, an annual tri-park pass is $55, and interagency passes range from $0-80. If you don't have a pass, you may want to carpool to save on the fee. More information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Meeting point: We will meet at the Kealakomo Overlook parking lot at 10am. (Important: we are NOT meeting at the Maunaulu parking area where the Nāpau Trail starts.) Kealakomo is about a 25 minute drive down Chain of Craters Road from the park entrance, so plan accordingly. If you are not stopping at the Visitor Center, try to use the left lane when entering the park. This way, you can immediately turn left on Chain of Craters Road after passing through the entrance station. Also, cell reception here can be spotty, so please don't be late. We will wait up to 10 minutes if you're running a little bit late. If you leave a comment or send a message close to the start time, we might not see it.
What to bring: Sunscreen, hat, rain gear, sturdy shoes, plenty of water (at least 2 liters, maybe 3), lunch/snacks. We will be at 2,000-3,000 feet above sea level, and it can get windy on this trail.
Background:
** No Dogs Please. Dogs aren't allowed on trails in the park. **
Please note the following:
- Meetup organizers are not tour guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You and your invitees are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being.
- By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you and your invitees acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event.
- All attendees and their invitees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests.
- By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you and your invitees affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.