Read at these websites that the lava flow is occuring at the volcanoes national park. Can't quite figure out how close can we be or if there will be a chance to see them up close. Anybody been there recently? Planning to be in Big Island on Sept. 11 and 12. Hoping we can see some of the action. Need input and advice on current lava flow condition. Thanks.
http://www.nps.gov/havo/home.htm
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/main.html#maps

Change can occur so dramatically from day to day that it's hard to say what you will see, but I was there a couple of weeks ago, and lava was visible, at night only, from both the ranger-staffed viewpoint about 100 yards past and to the right of the end of Chain of Craters road (follow the crowds and/or the reflectors) and from a viewpoint 3 miles in. There is a huge section of "bench" that is in danger of collapsing, close to the flow, so they are keeping people further back then they sometimes do (people still sometimes ignore the ropes and have died falling through the crust).

If the conditions are the same (you will find current info at the visitors center), go just before sunset and bring a flashlight. The 3 mile (each way) hike is quite strenuous-it's completely over a very rocky lava field, and you don't get views until you are almost at the 3 mile mark, so there's no point in going part of the way. If you aren't up for that, seeing itat the ranger staffed point (they have scopes, which is neat) is still spectacular.

Yes, you do need to be up for a long, sweaty trek, you can't really "hike", you are picking your way over cooled lava blocks and can't tell exactly where the flowing lava might be. When you do see it, you won't likely see it dripping into the ocean, but rather oozing out on the ground near your feet. We took 3-1/2 hours to find an oozy spot and get back to the car, BEFORE the sun went down! Check out the Arnott's Lodge photos to see what this looks like, perhaps you could take a tour with them.

Right now you can indeed see it flowing into the ocean, and you can't get anywhere near where it will be near your feet.

christy1, how far do you have to walk to be able to see it flowing into the ocean?

12 acres of lava bench fell into the ocean yesterday so the rangers are not letting people get too close. you can still hike out 3.5 miles but will be uphill from the sea so no vantage point of lava entering the ocean, still awesome to see it at your feet. i live 7 miles from the flow as the crow flies

When I was there a couple weeks ago, and remember it can change from day to day, you could see the ocean entry from a point about 100 yards from the end of Chain of Craters road (which is a half mile walk minimum, depending on how far away you have to park). Did that make sense? So 1/2 mile plus 100 yards, when I was there. The ocean entry will be a couple miles off in the distance but it is still VERY cool to see, especially through the ranger's scope.

Thanks for all the great input. We can't wait to experience this ourselves. So current condition, you can see it flowing to the ocean from afar, but little to no chance seeing it "oozing" near your feet? Reading from the forum, the 3 mile "hike" to find lava ooze is a hit and miss thing. We plan to go in the morning. Are gloves necessary?

to be honest, it is not worth the time if going during the day. all you see is black ground and smoke, rarely see red during the day. i'd spend the day up top hiking across halemaumau crater instead. but if going at night....nothing more awesome than the bottom of the hill hiking out to see the "red"

Avs19--we are going to be there as well on those dates. We leave tomorrow, 5 days on Oahu, then to BI for 5 more. Leave the fall weather of Michigan behind!! Have a great trip!

Matnikstym, any suggestions on what time to go and directions for the night "hike" to see the red? Now we're rethinking our schedule for VNP, night or morning "hike", any suggestions from others? Maybe I should start a new thread? Tommyd, what are your plans for VNP? Mahalo.

If you want to do the 3 mile hike, go in early evening so you will be there for sunset and won't have to pick your way there, at least, in the dark (of course you will coming back). Even if you want to view from near the end of the road, go near sunset. It's really neat to watch the lava appear bit by bit on the hillside (if conditions are the same for you as they were for me) as the sun goes down.

I agree with christy. plan on being at the bottom of the hill (roughly 30-45 minutes from park entrance) at 3-3:30, the hike will take at least 1-2 hours each way bring water, flashlight and GOOD HIKING SHOES. there is not path, just uneven lava. an adventure! a friend of mine spent the night out there last night to see the sunrise and it was awesome.

christy1, you said earlier that "Right now you can indeed see it flowing into the ocean, and you can't get anywhere near where it will be near your feet". So the 3 mile hike starting early evening and coming back after sunset will be to see lava flowing into the ocean from afar? The current condition won't allow you to see it up close i.e. few feet away? Just concerned about the hike back in the dark.. based on warnings of what could happen if you fall in the lava rocks. Maybe hard to hike back in these conditions at dark even with flaslights. Also how's parking at the end of the Chain of Craters road. We plan to go on a Monday, hopefully won't be a line to park if we go in the early evening. Plus I wonder if I need hiking boots, I have a relatively new Reebok cross training shoes, I wonder if it would hold up against the lavas.

actually, you can get closer to it at your feet than you can see it going into the ocean since 12 acres of land fell into the sea last week, so the rangers are keeping people away from the cliffs. the walk is hard, but if you go slow with a flashlight it's not impossible. your reeboks will be fine, might tear up the bottoms though, if comfortable, wear them. the parking line at the bottom is never predictable. you could luck out and park right at the path or have to walk another mile before reaching the path. yesterdays tribune-herald (hilo paper) said rangers were keeping people away from the flow near the ocean but you can walk to the flow higher up

I was there in feb its a long hike to see the ooze, i got within inches of a ooze n took pictures

Everyone is giving you great advice. The walk in the dark can be part of the adventure....

I do not know if matnikstym ([email protected]), is the guy, however, there is a house in the lava flow who rents a room to the adventuresome traveler who wants to sleep on the lava flow. If you are truely wanting to experience the lava - see if 'matnikstym' has a room for rent. He would be your best guide. If he does not have rooms for rent, he may know of the house in which I am refering to.
Aloha!

that would be Uncle Robert Keliihoomalu in Kalapana, has small cabins to rent. That is on the opposite side of the flow from the park...still a long walk in the dark, but from that side you can see the ocean entry as the rangers only go on the park side.

Oh, the bench collapsed! So conditions will indeed be very different than when I was there last month and they were keeping people further back.

Just got back from BI and VNP. The bench did collapse and you could not get anywhere close to the lava as far as we know. The park ranger roped off the area. Did not do the night hike. Saw the huge plume from afar. The whole park was still a treat and glad to have good hiking boots, not necessary but good to have anyways.