The visitors center map is misleading. It suggests the trailhead is directly across the road. There's a trail there, but it doesn't lead to the top. Instead, turn right out of the parking lot and head up the road. In a few hundred yards, you'll see a dirt road on your left. Following this road will quickly lead you to the real trailhead.
Never did figure out what happens to the trail at the top. It reconnected with the road near the first observatory, but we couldn't see where it went from there. We walked the road up the last half mile or so.
Thanks! I'm making you an admin for the page. Would you mind changing the page where you think it should be changed? If you don't want to, I can make the change.
Someone in Hawaii should have this Summit to manage. So many changes to the data and descriptions etc have changed. Saddle road is the best road on the island now,can go 70+ mph if no traffic.
Pics of trailhead should be on here and mapped. There is also a sign at the top of the road before the last half-mile.... asking us not to hike out of "respect" because it is considered culturally, historical, and environmentally significant !!!
Calling the summit road conditions number, the recorded ranger message warns us a 4x4 is required to drive past the ranger station at 9,200'. If not driving the hike is around 11 miles RT with water at the lake. Flatlanders like me need the 4x4.
I visited Mauna Kea in October, 2022 and was met at the top by a very rude and surly Ranger from the summit 'operator' which I believe is Univ of Hawaii. There were several people that had made it to the top in 4X4 vehicles and he stopped everyone and harangued them about being 'disrespectful' to ancient native inhabitants by 'desecrating' the summit area. I was shocked and saddened by this persons strong attempt to dissuade us from summiting. Someone should get a grip on the site's treatment of highpointers and others that just want to enjoy the beauty and wonder of this high peak.
asaking11 - Apr 29, 2015 6:30 pm - Voted 8/10
Rental companiesMost rental companies now allow rental cars on Saddle Road. There are even a handful of them that will allow you to take them to the visitor center.
mpbro - Apr 29, 2015 8:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Rental companiesThanks for the info. I added your info to the page, and also made you admin if you want to make any other changes. Thanks!
Scott - Jun 9, 2016 1:42 am - Voted 10/10
PanoramicsIt appears that all of the panoramics have been deleted and show up as X's on the page.
mpbro - Jun 9, 2016 9:29 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Panoramicsthanks for the heads up. working now.
Colin - Dec 13, 2017 4:22 pm - Hasn't voted
TrailheadThe visitors center map is misleading. It suggests the trailhead is directly across the road. There's a trail there, but it doesn't lead to the top. Instead, turn right out of the parking lot and head up the road. In a few hundred yards, you'll see a dirt road on your left. Following this road will quickly lead you to the real trailhead.
Never did figure out what happens to the trail at the top. It reconnected with the road near the first observatory, but we couldn't see where it went from there. We walked the road up the last half mile or so.
mpbro - Dec 13, 2017 4:32 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: TrailheadThanks! I'm making you an admin for the page. Would you mind changing the page where you think it should be changed? If you don't want to, I can make the change.
Alpinist - Dec 17, 2017 10:26 am - Voted 10/10
Re: TrailheadBetter yet, why not create a Trailhead page with those details? That's what its designed for...
mpbro - Dec 17, 2017 11:14 am - Hasn't voted
Re: TrailheadYou only had "edit" privileges, which I upgraded to "Admin" privileges.
6sniders - Jun 19, 2019 2:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Host or admin for this Summit ?Someone in Hawaii should have this Summit to manage. So many changes to the data and descriptions etc have changed. Saddle road is the best road on the island now,can go 70+ mph if no traffic.
Pics of trailhead should be on here and mapped. There is also a sign at the top of the road before the last half-mile.... asking us not to hike out of "respect" because it is considered culturally, historical, and environmentally significant !!!
mpbro - Jun 19, 2019 3:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Host or admin for this Summit ?Agreed. I just granted you admin privileges. Feel free to make any changes!
klimbien - Jul 9, 2020 7:15 pm - Hasn't voted
updated phone number for road conditionsCurrent road conditions - call (808)935-6268 (7/9/2020)
mpbro - Jul 9, 2020 8:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: updated phone number for road conditionsthanks, I modified the main page
Peter.grafton - Jun 11, 2021 9:55 am - Hasn't voted
4 wheel drive required to drive summit roadCalling the summit road conditions number, the recorded ranger message warns us a 4x4 is required to drive past the ranger station at 9,200'. If not driving the hike is around 11 miles RT with water at the lake. Flatlanders like me need the 4x4.
mpbro - Jun 11, 2021 9:59 am - Hasn't voted
Re: 4 wheel drive required to drive summit roadThanks, Pete. I added your comment to the "Getting There" section.
drichesin - Dec 17, 2022 10:33 pm - Hasn't voted
Ranger was surly and rudeI visited Mauna Kea in October, 2022 and was met at the top by a very rude and surly Ranger from the summit 'operator' which I believe is Univ of Hawaii. There were several people that had made it to the top in 4X4 vehicles and he stopped everyone and harangued them about being 'disrespectful' to ancient native inhabitants by 'desecrating' the summit area. I was shocked and saddened by this persons strong attempt to dissuade us from summiting. Someone should get a grip on the site's treatment of highpointers and others that just want to enjoy the beauty and wonder of this high peak.