tiname

My husband and I have been to volcanos nat'l park before and loved it, but haven't been able to see the actual lave flow. I've read that you can do a evening hike and get close to the current vent and see the red glow in the distance. I'd like to know if it's possible to hike to the current lava flow . Or where to find this info. The volcano's website wasn't very helpful. TIA

DebitNM

Here's a link to trip reports I did on OCt 06 trip. There's lots of different info included, but there is info on nightwalk to see lava at end of Chain of craters walks.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34899956

Hope this helps.
Debi

Samsaf

We also did this hike in Oct of last year. We drove down to the end of Chain of Craters road while it was still daylight. We parked the car (there were LOTS and lots of cars already there!) and walked to end of ranger station (about 1/4 mile) and then to the end of the road where lava crosses the road (another 1/4 mile) and then we walked another 1/4 to 1/2 mile on the lava and sat down on the lava rocks. As it got darker we could see more and more of the lava flowing. It was an incredible sight. Click on my screen name for my full report.

elsiemoo

Samsaf, popping in here to tell you that your trip report is about the best one I've ever read. It put me right back on the Big Island (been there twice), and made me realize that I need to get back again before the lava stops stop putting on such a great show. That wasn't happening on my visits there in the past. THANKS for bringing the magic to all of us ...

P_M

I was also there in Oct 06. We started around 4pm and got back to the car at 10pm. It's a long and difficult hike but well worth it. You MUST be prepared!! Bring at least 3 litres of water per person, sunscreen, snacks and flashlights. Also make sure you are wearing sturdy hiking shoes and long pants, because if you fall in shorts, you will slice your legs badly on that sharp lava.

Samsaf

Well, thanks, Elsiemoo! You made my day!

hawaiifanatic

I'd also recommend studying this information from the National Park Service very carefully....

http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava.htm

DoctorCarrie

We just got back from our BI trip yesterday (trip report soon!) and with the lava hike fresh in my memory, I thought I'd add my two cents, because I found these posts so useful.

I agree with everything P_M said - the hike (May, 2007) took us around 7 hours round trip. Two things we found invaluable on that hike were headlamps and hiking poles. We had 3 L of water per person and easily could have drunk more. Be prepared - there's no trail, there are difficult-to-spot (during the day) beacons every half mile for around three miles and then you're on your own to find the lava. With the headlamps, I actually didn't find it much harder to walk at night - much of the lava sort of glows in the light - but it is harder to navigate, because you can't see more than a few feet ahead. It was definitely worth it, but 7 hours hiking on hard stone made everything hurt (and I'm 30 and in good shape!) Cheers, Carrie