Hi,

We will be arriving in Big Island from Kauai. We plan to fly into Hilo and spend the night around VNP. The next day we are going to drive to Kona to stay there for 4 more nights.

We would like to do the full hike to on the lava field. From what I read, late afternoon is a good time to start the hike. We would like to also be there when it is dark.

What is a good time to start the hike to see it both during day time and the night? How long before then should we try to get to Hilo airport?

Thanks

I have read recently there is a new and much closer flow about 45 min hike. I will look for the thread as I don't recall if I saw it here or on tripadvisor.

Have you checked the park's website?

Access to the flow changes based on the flow. I'd arrive in Hilo by lunch, enjoy the drive through the park, and then hike out in late afternoon (based on your wants).

Where can we see red lava?

Currently, lava is flowing into the ocean in a remote area of the park, 2 1/2 miles beyond the ranger station at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Please note that areas of the park(along the coastline) have been closed by the superintendent due to the potential for land collapse.

Currently, there are NO surface lava flows that visitors can walk up to. Areas of the park have been closed due to the potential for large land collapses.(Note: read closed area memo by clicking on the orange link). Please see the closed area map for more details on areas that have been closed due to very hazardous conditions.

Lava viewing conditions are constantly changing. Check with rangers at the Kilauea Visitor Center or at the ranger station at the end of Chain of Craters road for the most current report.

There are currently NO surface lava flows on the coastal flats to walk up to at this time (July 11, 2006).

http://www.nps.gov/archive/havo/visitor/lava.htm#where

http://tinyurl.com/yavj4f

This is the one I beleive hulajake is referring to. Matnikstym lives in the Pahoa area & is very familiar with VNP.

Trying again since the 1st one obviously didn't work:

http://tinyurl.com/2cae2a

When are you going? http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php says the Chain of Craters Road is/was closed due to earthquake activity in the early morining of 6/17/07.

WOW, glad I'm not there today.

kittest, that would be very unnerving to be on the Chain of Craters Road and have park personnel tell you to evacuate!

We got to the end of Chain of Craters road around 4:30 (but this was late October, so sunset was probably at a differen time). We hiked out (but not really far) and then hiked back in the dark.

samsaf, the road had not been open since June 11th. See above post.

What I'm reading says it was closed on the 17th (today) -- "NPS personnel are sweeping both roads to evacuate visitors."

Has it been closed since the 11th?

Yep, when I posted this morning in the wee hours of the morning the site said that the road had been closed since June 11th due to unstability concerns. Evidently, since the wee hours of the morning, there was earthquake activity as well.

The date cited above from the park website is July 11, 2006 (not June 11, 2007).

Ahh!

I am the OP. We are going to be there July 11. Hopefully the earthquake related closures are lifted by then. Thanks for all the pointers.

My daughter and her botfriend were at VNP on June 1 and had no problems driving the Chain of Craters Rd. However, the only hike available to see the lava was a minimum of three hours so they skipped it. About 9 years ago, she and I took what was supposed to be a two hour hike to the lava, but nothing was flowing when we got there. (Just call me Pele...)

Update from today's Honolulu Advertiser...

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar...379458120.html

We are completing our first trip to BI today. Between Kona, Hilo and VNP, our favorite stop was Volcano, even tho there are no current lava flows (what a shame). If you're spending the night, we highly recommend The Country Goose. Joan manages several private homes/cottages. We stayed in Hale Volcano cottage and were delighted. New, clean, beautifully appointed, quiet location. Her rates include a fabulous breakfast. Also in Volcano is Thai Thai. It the best Thai restaurant on the islands, according to many posts. BTW - this guide book was recommended to us and it's invaluable: "Hawaii - The Big Island Revealed" by Andrew Doughty. He has a great sense of humor while being very thorough on nearly every subject imaginable. I believe he also publishes similar guides to the other islands. Oh - as for your hiking question - we hiked the Kileau Iki crater around midday. It's rated for 2 hours. We did it in 90 mins at a moderate pace. The rangers recommended it. As for lava field hikes, some of the park is closed due to recent rumbles, you'll need to check the park's website.

RE: Hawaii Revealed guidebooks- the author tells people to ignore No Tresspassing signs, to hike on private property without asking permission, to hike and climb on sites sacred to native Hawaiians, and does not provide adequate warnings about dangerous sites where there have been deaths. People who live in Hawaii do not have a good opinon of this guy.

This article supports what Ag3046 is saying....

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../ln/ln01a.html