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Author:
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wpr4u2
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Date:
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11 Dec 2007 7:09:18 AM
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Activity:
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Bicycling
ActivitySearchBicycling
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State:
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Hawaii (HI)
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Distance:
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99.56 mi
(Change units)
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Calories:
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4326
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Average Speed:
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11.0 mph
0:05:27/mi
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Duration:
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Total: 9:19:11
Active: 9:03:22
Resting: 0:15:49
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Elevation:
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Total Gain: 7585 ft
Total Loss: 7584 ft
Net Change: 1 ft
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Difficulty:
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9 / 10
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Tags:
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Volcanoes National Park, Big Island, Hawaii
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Rating:
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Unrated
Rate it
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Starting from Na’alehu, descend quickly to sea level. The next services are at mile 12 in Pahala; from there, it’s 20 miles to Volcanoes National Park, home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The shoulders are good throughout; it’s a steady uphill grade (about 5 percent) to the park into prevailing winds. This makes the return a blast: a downhill cruise with a tailwind. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and rain gear -- showers are likely at the park. For a shorter ride, ride it one-way (about 45 miles) or take the bus to Volcanoes and ride the 11-mile Crater Rim Loop.
-Mapped by Wayne Riley
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Datum: |
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Hawaii: Volcanoes National Park
| Dist: 99.56 mi |
Points: 1231 |
Calories: 4326 |
| Time: 9:19:11 |
Speed: 11.0 mph |
Pace: 5:27 / mi |
| 0.06 mi |
Straight |
Head east on Rt. 11/Mamalahoa Hwy/Hawaii Beld Rd. |
Then go 35.42 mi |
| 35.48 mi |
Turn Right |
Crater Rim Rd. |
Then go 2.49 mi |
| 37.97 mi |
Turn Left |
Hawaii Volcanes National Park |
Then go 0.26 mi |
| 38.23 mi |
U-Turn |
Back to Crater Rim Dr. |
Then go 0.27 mi |
| 38.50 mi |
Turn Left |
Crater Rim Dr. |
Then go 7.66 mi |
| 46.16 mi |
Turn Right |
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park |
Then go 0.50 mi |
| 46.66 mi |
Turn Right |
Crater Rim Rd. |
Then go 0.13 mi |
| 46.79 mi |
Turn Left |
Rt. 11/Mamalahoa Hwy/Hawaii Belt Rd. |
Then go 1.68 mi |
| 48.46 mi |
Turn Right |
Piimauna Dr.-- continue to Volcano Winery (optional detour) |
Then go 0.98 mi |
| 49.44 mi |
U-Turn |
Pimauna Dr. (back to Rt. 11) |
Then go 0.96 mi |
| 50.40 mi |
Turn Right |
Rt. 11/Mamalahoa Hwy/Hawaii Belt Rd. |
Then go 21.19 mi |
| 71.59 mi |
Turn Right |
Kamani St. |
Then go 0.46 mi |
| 72.05 mi |
Turn Left |
Pikake St. |
Then go 0.24 mi |
| 72.29 mi |
Turn Right |
Maile St. |
Then go 0.23 mi |
| 72.52 mi |
Turn Left |
Back to Rt. 11 |
Then go 0.59 mi |
| 73.11 mi |
Turn Right |
Rt. 11/Mamalahoa Hwy/Hawaii Belt Rd. |
Then go 3.63 mi |
| 76.74 mi |
Turn Left |
Punalu'u Rd. |
Then go 2.30 mi |
| 79.04 mi |
Turn Left |
Rt. 11/Mamalahoa Hwy/Hawaii Belt Rd. |
Then go 9.17 mi |
| 88.21 mi |
Turn Left |
Kamaoa Rd. |
Then go 3.95 mi |
| 92.16 mi |
Turn Right |
S. Point Rd. |
Then go 1.74 mi |
| 93.91 mi |
Turn Right |
Rt. 11/Mamalahoa Hwy/Hawaii Belt Rd. |
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A snack stop in Na'alehu
Location: 19.061793°, -155.593529°
As you make your way east toward the volcano, you can see the long road ahead.
Location: 19.071528°, -155.566750°
Ocean views
Location: 19.071528°, -155.566750°
As you leave Na'alehu, enjoy ocean views as you descend to sea level. Pull into the unmarked turnout between mile markers 63 and 62 for a breathtaking view of Whittington Beach Park and remnants of the old pier where cattle and sugar were shipped off the island.
Black sand beach at Punalu'u Harbor
Location: 19.132194°, -155.506325°
Fuel up in Pahala, an old sugar town.
Location: 19.203538°, -155.475082°
There are no services between here and the volcano.
It's a long, lonely road across the south part of the island with only a strong headwind for company.
Location: 19.275499°, -155.429421°
When you see this sign there are still a few miles and about a thousand feet of climbing between you and the park gate.
Location: 19.352287°, -155.381355°
VNP trail system
Location: 19.375284°, -155.359211°
Volcanoes National Park has a well-marked trail system. The trailhead for the Ka'u Desert Trail is well before the park entrance on Hwy 11.
Nene
Location: 19.387591°, -155.346336°
The Nene (pronounced "nay-nay") is a land bird and a variety of Hawaiian goose. It has adapted itself to life in the harsh lava country by transforming its webbed feet into a claw-like shape and modifying its wing structure for shorter flights. Hunting and wild animals all but destroyed the species until they were protected by law in 1949.
Snow on Mauna Loa
Location: 19.403216°, -155.334234°
A glimpse of snow on top of Mauna Loa: This volcano covers half of the big island and by itself amounts to about 85 percent of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined. It has erupted 33 times since its well-documented eruption in 1843. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984 and is monitored for signs of unrest.
Rain clouds
Location: 19.414145°, -155.320931°
Rain clouds always seem to be hovering above the volcano. Unless you arrive early in the morning, prepare to get doused.
This is comforting.
Location: 19.420945°, -155.299645°
America's most southern winery is an optional detour on the return trip.
Location: 19.446360°, -155.284538°
There is a small fee for bicycles entering the park--the pass is good for a week.
Location: 19.427258°, -155.255528°
Steam vents
Location: 19.420297°, -155.243855°
Steam vents occur when rainwater sinks through the ground and is warmed by rocks which carry heat from the lava below. The steam contains sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide; prolonged exposure can be dangerous, so don't stand next to it trying to warm up.
A mile from the moonscape of the caldera is a rain forest within park property.
Location: 19.416088°, -155.239906°
The abundant rainfall contributes to the lush growth of the forest canopy and vegetation.
Crater Rim Road
Location: 19.408640°, -155.244455°
As you ride along Crater Rim Road, signs note specific dates that lava flowed under your tires.
Kilauea's eruptions
Location: 19.405240°, -155.259991°
Since 1952, Kilauea has seen 34 eruptions, and since January 1983 eruptive activity has been continuous along the east rift zone. All told, Kilauea ranks among the world's most active volcanoes and may even top the list.
Kilauea
Location: 19.400221°, -155.269690°
Kilauea is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. Hawaiian chants and oral traditions tell in veiled form of many eruptions triggered by an angry Pele.
Mauna Loa
Location: 19.401678°, -155.280590°
At 13,000 feet above sea level, Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on our planet. Its long submarine flanks descend an additional 16,000 feet to the sea floor, which is depressed another 26,000 feet by the volcano's great mass. This makes the volcano's summit about 56,000 ft above its base.
Volcano comparison
Location: 19.402002°, -155.292435°
For years Kilauea was thought to be a mere satellite of its giant neighbor, Mauna Loa. However, recent research clearly shows that Kilauea has its own magma-plumbing system, extending to the surface from more than 60 km deep into the earth.
Halema`uma`u. Kamapua`a
Location: 19.414307°, -155.294066°
The caldera houses the famous crater, Halema`uma`u. Kamapua`a, a jilted suitor of Pele, is said to have built a house of ferns over Halema`uma`u to keep Pele from escaping her home and causing eruptions. The ploy failed.
Kilauea caldera view from the lookout
Location: 19.423049°, -155.284882°
Hawaiian Islands
Location: 19.431548°, -155.276213°
The Hawaiian Islands are the tops of gigantic volcanic mountains formed by countless eruptions of fluid lava over several million years; some tower more than 30,000 feet above the sea floor.
I could use one of these right about now.
Location: 19.048489°, -155.662193°
Kama'ao Road
Location: 19.054330°, -155.629234°
Kama'ao Road is a pleasant bypass road from Hwy 11 to South Point Road. It is narrow with no shoulder but has extremely light traffic.
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