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Mauna Kea In Hawaii Driving To The Summit Of This Grand Volcano
he summit of Mauna Kea is and ohia trees. These thin out at
called Puu Wekiu and it is 6,000 feet and the landscape
at an elevation of 13,796 becomes dominated by barren lava
feet. This is the highest point flows. The sub alpine regions
of land in the Pacific Basin. An found after the 6,500 foot level
interesting fact about Mauna Kea still support a few koa and ohia
is that if measured from the trees and even the rare mamane
bottom of the ocean floor, it tree. All vegetation beyond 8,500
reaches nearly 30,000 feet which feet becomes very scarce.
would make it the tallest peak on
earth. The mountain is home to some
excellent bird watching. The
Visitors flock to Mauna Kea for a rare, yellow-crowned palila bird
variety of reasons. There are 11 can be seen here. The endangered
domes and 13 telescopes at the Hawaiian honey-creeper can be
peak of Mauna Kea which attracts seen here as well. This bird only
professional and amateur feeds on the seed pods from the
astronomers alike. Others come scarce mamane tree. Less rare,
for the amazing viewpoints, but still interesting birds such
unique bird watching and rugged as the uau (Hawaiian petrels),
hiking. Others come to Mauna Kea nene (Hawaiian geese), io
just to say they did so. (Hawaiian hawks) can also be seen
on Mauna Kea.
The drive up Mauna Kea takes
about an hour. At the start, the The first step to reaching Mauna
driver will see typical Hawaiian Kea is to drive Saddle Road
tropical vegetation. As you pass (Route 200). This road is listed
sea level, the landscape changes as off-limits by many of the car
to grass pastures and then into rental agencies. Thrifty will
raggedy looking forests of koa allow its rental cars on saddle
road but advises against this Center is as far as you are
practice. The roads are narrow allowed to go. Harper's Car and
with little or no shoulders and Truck Rental (harpershawaii.com)
there are no emergency phones on does rent vehicles for the exact
this route should you encounter a purpose of getting from the
problem. Visitor Center to the
observatory.
You take the turn off from Saddle
Road to Hale Pohaku and the Please remember to bring warm
Onizuka Center for International clothing on this journey. Even in
Astronomy Visitor Information the summer temperatures can reach
Station. This leg lasts 7 miles the low 40s. Also make sure to
and takes the traveler to 9,300 fill up the gas tank before you
feet. This section can be driven go. The steep grade and thin air
by a normal car but it does pushes the car into very poor gas
feature very steep and windy mileage and there is nowhere to
roads. If you are driving a fill up at the top.
Thrifty rental car, the Visitor
About the Author:
Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian Discount Car Rentals, specialists in Maui car rentals. He has personally driven to the top of Mauna Kea and rates it as one of the most panoramic views in his travels to Hawaii. Please visit http://www.hawaiidrive-o.com
Source: www.isnare.com
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