Mauna Kea Volcano is Highest Point in Hawaiian Islands and Delights Snow Lovers and Star Gazers
Gourmet Kona coffee lovers will be happy to know that just a short drive north from Kona Coffee Country is a place where you can slide down a snow-covered mountain and also get a fantastic view of Hawaii’s night sky.
Mauna Kea Volcano rises to 13,796 feet above sea level, making it the highest spot in Hawaii and also in all of the Pacific basin. Fortunately a road goes right to the top, where all of the world-class astronomical observatories are located. This road provides easy access the snowy areas where you can ski or sled down the mountain to your heart’s desire.
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Ski Guides Hawaii (885-4188) offers ski tours up Mauna Kea, picking you up in the town of Waimea and providing all of the equipment you need. The skiing takes place in the summit area, with fairly short runs to a place where the road loops around.
A four-wheel drive vehicle serves as your ski lift and takes you back to the top for run after run, and lunch is also provided.
The view from atop Mauna Kea Volcano is a wonder to behold, looking out toward the other Hawaiian Islands.
If you want to rent your own four-wheel-drive vehicle and make this journey to the top of Mauna Kea on your own that is also a great option. One person can drive the vehicle while the others enjoy their slides down the mountain. You can also stop at the Visitor Center a bit lower on the volcano and learn about Hawaiian astronomy.
By the time you return to sea level along Hawaii’s shores you will have a new appreciation for Hawaii’s warm and balmy weather, and you will also have memories that will last a long time from this unique adventure playing in Hawaii’s snow.
Star Gazing And Mauna Kea Astronomy
While you are atop Mauna Kea you might as well go stargazing. After all, it is the best place in the world for astronomy because it is above the moist sea level air and above 40% of the Earth’s atmosphere as well as interfering city lights. These facts make Mauna Kea’s summit one of the best places in the world for astronomy.
The crown jewels atop Mauna Kea are the two Keck telescopes, each measuring 111 feet tall and costing $70 million.
If you want a guided stargazing adventure, check out Mauna Kea Summit Adventures (808-322-2366). They will pick you up and take you to the summit to enjoy the sunset, and then drive you back down to the 9,200-foot level where you can look at the sky through a telescope.
Mauna Kea Summit Adventures will also give you some warm clothes for the outing because it can get very chilly up there on the volcano. Another company that offers this summit stargazing trip is Hawaii Forest and Trail (808-331-8505).
So for something a little different in Hawaii, try basking on a sunny Hawaiian beach in the morning and then sipping some gourmet Kona coffee and skiing down a volcano in the afternoon and then gazing into the night sky from the world’s best sky-viewing location!
To read about Kona Coffee Farms see Kona Coffee Farms, Tours, and Coffeehouses.
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