Hawaii - 5 day trip on the Big Island

Hi,
I'm in the early planning stages of a trip for early December. I'll be spending two weeks in Hawaii, with most of the time in Honolulu since that is where my friend lives. In the middle weekend, we'll head to another island, and, thanks to comments here, I'm planning on that being the Big Island.

I've read through many posts (and some guide books) and was hoping that I could get some comments on a proposed itenary. Sorry it is so long.

We'd arrive on a Thursday afternoon and leave the following Tuesday evening, giving us five nights. The current plan is to go in and out of Kona and to rent a car.

Thursday - arrive and check in to a hotel on the Kona coast. Check out the area.

Friday - spend the morning at the beach and then join a tour for Mauna Kea. From what I've read, trying to drive there ourselves (in a rental car) is a bad idea.

Saturday - drive up to Honoka'a and the northern coast. Return to Kona for the night.

Sunday - Drive to VNP. Hike around. View lava in the evening - maybe to the hike to see flowing lava (but that will be based on the comments/changes between now and then). Spend the night around NVP or in Hilo.

Monday - morning view of Volcano and then return to Kona Coast. Splurge for a night at a 'fancy' resort (my gift to my friend).

Tuesday - not sure?? Leave for HNL that evening.

An alternate plan, is to drive to Hilo on the Saturday (following the Northern/Eastern coast) and spending two nights there. This would allow us to see things in Hilo as well as VNP.

My big concern with both proposals is that, in five nights, I'm staying in three hotels - is that too much changing? I'm just trying to avoid a lot of back and forthing. I could change to fly into Kona and out of Hilo, but it seemed that the 'fancy, splurgey' resorts were mainly in/ around Kona.

Thanks for any suggestions. I'm not looking into specific hotels yet (except for maybe the splurge), just a general idea if my proposal is at all good.

Friday - spend the morning at the beach and then join a tour for Mauna Kea. From what I've read, trying to drive there ourselves (in a rental car) is a bad idea.

Saturday - drive up to Honoka'a and the northern coast. Return to Kona for the night.

The van tours cost something like $160-$200+ per person, which gets you a ride in a (packed) van to 9,200 feet, soup and sandwich, a ride up to 13,770 for sunset, then maybe some stargazing with the van's little telescope afterward on the way down.

If you flip Friday and Saturday, rent yourself a 4WD for Saturday, fill up the tank and drive up to 9,200 feet yourself before 1 PM (leave Kona by 11:30), you can go along on the free guided summit tour (http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/summittour.html) from the visitor information station. That gets you into two of the observatories, plus you get told about all kinds of stuff, plus you can stay up for sunset, then drive down to the V.I.S. again and stargaze through about eight different telescopes.

You have to bring your own food, and for liability reasons, they won't take you on the V.I.S. tour if you're under 16, pregnant, have been SCUBA diving in the last 24 hours, or have a history of heart or lung problems that might cause you to keel over on the summit.

But I think the cost of renting a 4WD for the day, plus gas, plus food, is going to be cheaper than taking multiple people in a packed tour van - and I think you'll get more out of the free tour.

I am, however, biased, since I've been the leader of that free tour more than a few times in the last few years, and have worked on Mauna Kea since 2004. I'm currently off-island, and will still be at the time of your trip, so I unfortunately can't lead the tour that week. :D

Oh, and I'll gladly field any questions you or anyone else have about MK.

Oh, and I'll gladly field any questions you or anyone else have about MK.

Hi. My family and I willl be there next week, but the kids are 5 and 8. I wonder whether MK is worth the trip for them.

Thanks
-W

wow, 5 days is a long time. I think 2-3 days on the Big Island is enough.

wow, 5 days is a long time. I think 2-3 days on the Big Island is enough.

For us, or for you? :p

Personally I think 5 days is just right...as a matter of fact, I still find it difficult to squeeze in everything I want to do in the 3-4 days I'm usually there and I'm a frequent visitor. Five days on your first visit should be a minimum. Seven is better.

As for the Mauna Kea summit tour - Harper's will rent you the required 4WD for a 24 hr period, but it's very expensive. Also, don't do the self-guided tour on your own unless you have some reasonably decent experience operating a 4WD vehicle on steep grades. Running the brakes at that altitude will burn them out in a hurry, or you could overheat the transmission. The repair bill from Harper's will make the van operated tours look almost free in comparison. Choose your option wisely. Sometimes cheaper is not always better unless you can handle the challenge confidently.

If you decide to take the van tour, Hawai'i Forest and Travel is the better option. They include a nice dinner at the acclimatization point.

If you decide to go it alone, make sure you arrive at the VIS at least 90 minutes or more before the summit tour leaves in order to give you adequate time to adjust to the altitude. You can hang out there, have a picnic lunch and check out their exhibits.

wow, 5 days is a long time. I think 2-3 days on the Big Island is enough.

Huh? We've been so many times, have spent weeks and weeks, and never get bored. I'm always happy to just park my rear at Hapuna Prince and do nothing for 3 or 4 nights before venturing anywhere.

Big Island is a large place with long driving times and there is a lot to do and see. The way this itinerary works is fast paced, which is fine. It doesn't however IMHO include adequate time for the enjoyment of moving slowly in Hawaiian style and stopping to smell the flowers, both literally and figuratively.

I am, however, biased, since I've been the leader of that free tour more than a few times in the last few years, and have worked on Mauna Kea since 2004.

I heartily endorse the free tour mentioned by DanTravels. The view is spectacular. I was on such a tour in Feb 2004 and we were given far more access than anything I could have dreamed of. We even got an extra-special tour due to some snafu with the keys to the buildings. I rented a 4WD for the week and found the trip to/from the summit uneventful; I just needed to ensure I had 4WD engaged, used low gear and drove slowly. I had packed a jacket and sweater for my two weeks in Hawaii, and this was the only occasion they would be used. The temp at the summit was a relatively balmy 32 or so, and winds were gusting probably well above 50 mph. Fortunately there was not any winter storm at the time (yes, they occasionally do issue Winter Storm Warnings for the summit!)

riftime

Hi. My family and I willl be there next week, but the kids are 5 and 8. I wonder whether MK is worth the trip for them.

I wouldn't (nor would anyone else who works on MK) recommend taking young kids all the way to the summit (13796'). Not to say that people don't do it all the time against our advice, but kids are less able to recognize and communicate the signs of altitude-related health issues, some of which can be pretty serious. :td:

If your kids are into (or you are, and want them to be into) astronomy, I'd suggest hitting the 'Imiloa Astronomy Education Center of Hawai'i (http://www.imiloahawaii.org/), in Hilo, in the early afternoon, do the 2:00 showing of their signature planetarium show, "Maunakea: Between Earth and Sky," explore the place, then have a bite to eat in town and drive up (it takes about an hour) to the Vistor Information Station (http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/vis/) at 9200 feet (that's a safe elevation for just about anyone) for some stargazing through all the telescopes they have there, movies, etc. This time of year it's dark by around 7ish and they're open 'til 10pm, though your kids will probably fall asleep in the car on the way down - my 7-year-old always does! :D

'Imiloa costs money, VIS is free (though there's a gift shop, and they do have a donation box).

As for the Mauna Kea summit tour - Harper's will rent you the required 4WD for a 24 hr period, but it's very expensive.

I don't know up-to-the-minute prices, but last July an Explorer was about $120. Cheaper than a single seat in a Kona-based tour van. Arnott's out of Hilo is cheaper than the Kona-side guys, though.

Also, don't do the self-guided tour on your own unless you have some reasonably decent experience operating a 4WD vehicle on steep grades.

Agreed (though it's not a self-guided tour). The VIS tour runs in 4-LOW, and we go over all the safety stuff twice before we start out, and again at the end of the tour, to minimize the risk of anyone launching off the switchbacks. And I think we've got a pretty good record as far as folks who've heard the safety lecture three times. :D Now... the ones who don't stop and get the safety lecture... well... let's just say 4WD doesn't help much if you don't engage it, and engine-braking doesn't work if you don't downshift, and some folks learn that the hard way. So... yeah. If you're afraid of 4WDs and mountains and dirt roads, please take a van tour! :)

The vans break down up there too, of course... have to mention that!

If you decide to take the van tour, Hawai'i Forest and Travel is the better option. They include a nice dinner at the acclimatization point.

HFT is quite nice; Mauna Kea Summit Adventures has some knowledgeable guys too. A really good friend of my family used to drive for them, real sharp guy, but he changed jobs.

If you decide to go it alone, make sure you arrive at the VIS at least 90 minutes or more before the summit tour leaves in order to give you adequate time to adjust to the altitude. You can hang out there, have a picnic lunch and check out their exhibits.

Yep. There are picnic tables, a little enclosure with endangered Silversword plants, etc. Sometimes some Urkel's Francolins running around pecking at crumbs...

I had packed a jacket and sweater for my two weeks in Hawaii, and this was the only occasion they would be used.

Sweaters and/or jackets are useful anywhere above about 3,000 feet on the Big Island in the winter, especially at night. That'd include Waimea and Volcano. Just a tip for anyone who's thinking of coming with only t-shirts. ;)

The temp at the summit was a relatively balmy 32 or so, and winds were gusting probably well above 50 mph.

Oh, a nice day. :)

Worst I've been out in was either 32F/70mph with blowing snow, but that was brief, just going from the vehicle to the door and back. Worst I've been out in for a half-hour or longer was 22F/45mph, clear, but with snow under my feet.

Fortunately there was not any winter storm at the time (yes, they occasionally do issue Winter Storm Warnings for the summit!)

Yup. In 2004, there were patches of snow that hadn't melted as of June 19. In 2006, we had 8-foot drifts the weekend of May 7, and got a dusting of snow on August 6. It may be Hawaii, but we've got studded tires and chains, and we do use 'em.

I don't know up-to-the-minute prices, but last July an Explorer was about $120. Cheaper than a single seat in a Kona-based tour van. Arnott's out of Hilo is cheaper than the Kona-side guys, though....

It sounds like Harper's prices have come way down since the last time I checked. The last time I spoke to them, they wanted around $200 for a "MK/Saddle Rd certified 4WD" plus gas and mandatory insurance. When I did the math, it was marginally cheaper for two of us to do the HFT tour. Not having to lug heavy coats all around Hawai'i with us was another factor that tilted us towards HFT, since parkas are supplied with the tour.

If Harper's prices have come down, and you're traveling with 4 or more people, I guess it would be much cheaper to do the Harper's route and even use UPS to ship the heavy clothing to/from your B.I. hotel if you don't want to pack and carry it.

they wanted around $200 for a "MK/Saddle Rd certified 4WD" plus gas and mandatory insurance.

I know it's against rental rules (along with Southpoint, Saddle Road, Waipio Valley, etc), but if I disregard those it would be fine to take a standard-issue $50 a day Jeep Wrangler rental up there, right? There aren't any knarks up there that call the rental companies and report that there's an "Alamo Jeep in the parking lot with License Plate #XXXXXX" or anything like that, right? We'd only get busted if our Jeep broke down up there or something like that, right?

I know it's against rental rules (along with Southpoint, Saddle Road, Waipio Valley, etc), but if I disregard those it would be fine to take a standard-issue $50 a day Jeep Wrangler rental up there, right? There aren't any knarks up there that call the rental companies and report that there's an "Alamo Jeep in the parking lot with License Plate #XXXXXX" or anything like that, right? We'd only get busted if our Jeep broke down up there or something like that, right?

That is correct. It's the same with driving the backside of Haleakala on Maui, and the Monroe trail on Lana'i.

I know it's against rental rules (along with Southpoint, Saddle Road, Waipio Valley, etc), but if I disregard those it would be fine to take a standard-issue $50 a day Jeep Wrangler rental up there, right? There aren't any knarks up there that call the rental companies and report that there's an "Alamo Jeep in the parking lot with License Plate #XXXXXX" or anything like that, right? We'd only get busted if our Jeep broke down up there or something like that, right?

The restrictions on Saddle Rd have been lifted for most rental car companies. From my experience, National (and Alamo) is no long stamping contracts with the 'no Saddle Rd' endorsement.

The last time I was at the summit of MK, I saw someone drive up in a Mustang convertible and another fully loaded Oldsmobile SUV/Minivan. Can it be done? Apparently yes....should it be done? I would say "no".

No one is going to rat you out - but if something happens to the car, either mechanically or you get stuck, the cost to get you out is going to be - pardon the pun - astronomical. As in many, many times more than what a 24hr rental would have cost you.

Taking anything into Waipio Valley that is not fully capable of true 4WD and 4WD LO gear will probably end up in a serious and fatal accident - definately not recommended. Unless you're a really good 4WD driver and know the trail paths to the Green Sand beach, I would not be taking a 4WD drive past the Southpoint parking lot either - even if it's from Harpers. Far too many opportunities to damage the car out there.

Just my advise...

The restrictions on Saddle Rd have been lifted for most rental car companies. From my experience, National (and Alamo) is no long stamping contracts with the 'no Saddle Rd' endorsement.

Hmmm, that's good to know. I certainly recall that stamp being on there at least once or twice in the past 3 years, but maybe it's recent that they got rid of this. ^


The last time I was at the summit of MK, I saw someone drive up in a Mustang convertible and another fully loaded Oldsmobile SUV/Minivan. Can it be done? Apparently yes....should it be done? I would say "no".

No one is going to rat you out - but if something happens to the car, either mechanically or you get stuck, the cost to get you out is going to be - pardon the pun - astronomical. As in many, many times more than what a 24hr rental would have cost you.

Very timely pun. :D A Mustang convertible?!!??!?!!??! :eek: That's kind of funny. Scary, but funny if they made it back safely. Kind of like when I drove my rental Jeep to Polihale (the Western-most beach on Kauai) and I'd see all these Mustang Convertibles attempting the bumpy bumpy trip for the first several miles, until they'd all give up and turn around and go home.


Taking anything into Waipio Valley that is not fully capable of true 4WD and 4WD LO gear will probably end up in a serious and fatal accident - definately not recommended. Unless you're a really good 4WD driver and know the trail paths to the Green Sand beach, I would not be taking a 4WD drive past the Southpoint parking lot either - even if it's from Harpers. Far too many opportunities to damage the car out there.

OK, that makes me feel better. I took my last rental Jeep both to Green Sand Beach as well as down into Waipio Valley (my wife made me quit after crossing several fairly large flowing streams down there cuz she thought we'd get stuck.............and I finally relented and agreed with her and turned around, although I certainly would have kept going if I had my own personal lifted Jeep with winch from back home :cool: ). But if you're saying a Mustang can make it to the MK summit, then I'll assume my rental jeep will have no problems. I just wanted to make sure the rental companies don't payoff people like DanTravels to knarck out the rulebreakers up top.

...Kind of like when I drove my rental Jeep to Polihale (the Western-most beach on Kauai) and I'd see all these Mustang Convertibles attempting the bumpy bumpy trip for the first several miles, until they'd all give up and turn around and go home.


FYI, a 4wd isn't generally required to access Polihale beach. It is a seasonal issue related to rain filling up the dirt road's potholes. If it has been dry, no problem in any car, although perhaps easier or more fun in an SUV. If it has been wet it can be treacherous, and muddy, and this could easily cost your your (standard) Kauai car rental contract's extra cleaning fee, or worse.

Wow excellent posts, all. Dantravels is dead on with his advice re Mauna Kea.
IMHO, a really excellent visit would require 10 days, but here are some highlights re the EAST side:
Helicopter tour of the volcano, if you can afford it. Cheaper from Hilo.
Hiking out to the lava, if you are fit enough. A once in a lifetime experience, and the highlight of every one of our guests' trips.
Link to check status of the lava:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/
There are no fancy hotels on the Hilo side at this time, but we have several nice B&B's (google search), and the Kilauea Lodge just outside the park is lovely with excellent restraunt.
Visit to Hawaii Volcanoes NP, minimum half day just to drive around Crater Rim, see Thurston Lava Tube, etc.
If you drive the Hamakua side to Hilo (northeast side) there are numerous gulches wih scenic views, a short but very scenic coastal drive, and Akaka Falls State Park, with a short trail and views of some tall waterfalls.
Breakfast 24 hrs at Ken's House of Pancakes, a diner with huge menu, good food. Dinner at Cafe Pesto, downtown bayfront area of Hilo.
Dinner at Hilo Bay Cafe, (not on the bay) in a strip mall by WalMart & Office Max. There's much more but you don't have the time.

...
If you drive the Hamakua side to Hilo (northeast side) there are numerous gulches wih scenic views, a short but very scenic coastal drive, and Akaka Falls State Park, with a short trail and views of some tall waterfalls.

I made this suggested itinerary a couple of years ago for Hamakua; maybe it will be of interest:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3535962&postcount=2

IMHO, a really excellent visit would require 10 days....


We're headed to the Big Island for a 10 day trip with the kids next week so this has been a timely thread for me. Although we have been there before, and thus already done Thurston Lava Tube et al, I really appreciate all the helpful suggestions!

I know it's against rental rules (along with Southpoint, Saddle Road, Waipio Valley, etc), but if I disregard those it would be fine to take a standard-issue $50 a day Jeep Wrangler rental up there, right? There aren't any knarks up there that call the rental companies and report that there's an "Alamo Jeep in the parking lot with License Plate #XXXXXX" or anything like that, right? We'd only get busted if our Jeep broke down up there or something like that, right?As pointed out elsewhere, the Saddle Road restrictions have been lifted from most rental car companies. We used Thrifty on our trip last August. Not so sure why people think Saddle Road is so scary anyway; it's actually one of the more interesting trips you can take, with a rather eerie quality to the landscape near the top. Absolutely not to be missed, in my opinion. Also, the poor pavement is entirely on the Kona side; once you go over the top and down to Hilo, the road is quite nice, by almost any standard.

One word of warning. If you head down to the ocean in Volcano National Park, be aware that you will likely be parking quite a distance from the visitor center, and if it's dark, you might run into the rocks at the edge of the road as you park. Raising hand on this one; cost $337 for the damage to the bumper (which actually seemed not so bad; I was prepared for much worse).

Also, I highly favor the Hilo side of the island, which is apparently unusual. It's quieter, generally less-expensive, and certainly prettier if you like to hike to waterfalls etc. Yes, it's wetter also (it's the rainy side of the island), but I guess I've been lucky as it's never rained on me for more than a couple hours. It's also MUCH closer to Volcano National Park.

Two full days in Volcano National Park would also be nice; there's so much to see there, especially if you enjoy hiking.

Just did the drive today from Waikoloa through Waimea, to Waipio and then down to Hilo. Spent the whole day, stopping every 15 minutes at shops, Tex Drive-In, Akaka Falls, even Hilo Hattie (sorry). It was indeed wet but mostly through Waimea, as we were in the clouds there, and it was in the 50's, compared to mid 70's on the east side of the island. One caution, most shops are closed on Sunday (but we had our fill of gift shops that we did find open). Definitely try Tex Drive-in, right past the Honokaa turn-off. It was packed this afternoon and I know why: great, cheap food and famous malasadas.

A Tex malasada sounds good right about now...

I find it amazing how many types of terrain you can drive through just by circling the Big island. ^

Just did the drive today from Waikoloa through Waimea, to Waipio and then down to Hilo. Spent the whole day, stopping every 15 minutes at shops, Tex Drive-In, Akaka Falls, even Hilo Hattie (sorry). It was indeed wet but mostly through Waimea, as we were in the clouds there, and it was in the 50's, compared to mid 70's on the east side of the island. One caution, most shops are closed on Sunday (but we had our fill of gift shops that we did find open). Definitely try Tex Drive-in, right past the Honokaa turn-off. It was packed this afternoon and I know why: great, cheap food and famous malasadas.

Did you see me waving as you drove by my house? :D

A Tex malasada sounds good right about now...

Believe it or not, the relatively new Tom's Bakers in Papaikou (right on the highway on the mauka side, across from Pinky's) is even better!

Tom's Bakers
(808) 964-8444
Papaikou, HI

I find it amazing how many types of terrain you can drive through just by circling the Big island. ^

Indeed. Pretty awesome.

The last time I was at the summit of MK, I saw someone drive up in a Mustang convertible and another fully loaded Oldsmobile SUV/Minivan. Can it be done? Apparently yes....should it be done? I would say "no".

No one is going to rat you out - but if something happens to the car, either mechanically or you get stuck, the cost to get you out is going to be - pardon the pun - astronomical. As in many, many times more than what a 24hr rental would have cost you.

To be more specific, as of a year or so ago, if you're paying for the tow back to Hilo because "you broke it," it's about $200 from the visitor station at 9000 feet, $750 from the summit if it's rubber-side down on pavement, and if it's off the road or not right-side-up, $1200+. :)

Will a AAA premium membership cover such a tow, do you know? I know the mid-tier, iirc, is 100 miles. I don't recall any exclusions in my AAA materials about Summit Road (or Waipio, for that matter).

Will a AAA premium membership cover such a tow, do you know? I know the mid-tier, iirc, is 100 miles. I don't recall any exclusions in my AAA materials about Summit Road (or Waipio, for that matter).

That's a great question...but I shudder to think what the rental agency will do to a dumb customer when they find out their now dead Hyundai Accent was towed from the summit of Mauna Kea.

From my last two visits, I really think the agencies are OK with cars on Saddle Rd and the portion of MK Access Rd from Saddle to the visitors center - or they probably gave up trying to prohibit it, since the entire route is paved and so many of their customers were driving it anyway.

Since they don't prohibit driving that route, here is a valid question - would the rental company's own emergency road service cover you as far as the visitors center since the contract didn't prohibit you from driving there?

www.konaweb.com

Did you see me waving as you drove by my house? :D



Was that you washing your SUV? ;) We saw many nice people on our journey. Eden, paradise, heaven, call it what you like, it is an awesome place. I hope Hawaii stays this way. Thank you for 'hosting' us tourists.

You're the kind of folks that we love to welcome back anytime. :)

Believe it or not, the relatively new Tom's Bakers in Papaikou (right on the highway on the mauka side, across from Pinky's) is even better!

Tom's Bakers
(808) 964-8444
Papaikou, HI

Mmmmm.... cheesecake! :D

FYI I saw a sign at Enterprise Office in Kona "no cars on Saddle".

FYI I saw a sign at Enterprise Office in Kona "no cars on Saddle".You've got to wonder... why? I could see not allowing people out there at night, but it's just not that bad a road, and the stuff about poor visibility around corners is way overdone. Plus, there'd certainly be no problem driving up from the east (Hilo) side, although perhaps it's not called Saddle Road on that part?

Here are some views at the top of Saddle Road-
http://picasaweb.google.com/ChainReactionBicycles/Hawaii06Part2/photo?authkey=WF5cvL-Wrzs#4981498240840826898
http://picasaweb.google.com/ChainReactionBicycles/Hawaii06Part2/photo?authkey=WF5cvL-Wrzs#4981498259501547538
http://picasaweb.google.com/ChainReactionBicycles/Hawaii06Part2/photo?authkey=WF5cvL-Wrzs#4981498310059491346
http://picasaweb.google.com/ChainReactionBicycles/Hawaii06Part2/photo?authkey=WF5cvL-Wrzs#4981498342581993490

You've got to wonder... why? I could see not allowing people out there at night, but it's just not that bad a road, and the stuff about poor visibility around corners is way overdone. Plus, there'd certainly be no problem driving up from the east (Hilo) side, although perhaps it's not called Saddle Road on that part?
It used to be a lot worse about a few years back before they went and made Saddle Road safer. So signs like this are leftovers of the days when there was "some" risk factor involved on driving on Saddle Road.

http://www.saddleroad.com/

Saddle Road has one of the highest accident rates of any road of its classification. in Hawaii. Travelers are very familiar with its characteristics: narrow lanes, windy, limited lines-of sight, numerous roadside hazards such as bridge parapets, and rough road edges, no drainage during rainstorms and military vehicles frequently crossing the road as it passes through the Pohakuloa Training Area.

I almost lost my life on Saddle Road, but that's for another thread...

It used to be a lot worse about a few years back before they went and made Saddle Road safer. So signs like this are leftovers of the days when there was "some" risk factor involved on driving on Saddle Road.

http://www.saddleroad.com/



I almost lost my life on Saddle Road, but that's for another thread...Great link regarding the rebuilding of the road. Dumb question though. As I was driving it, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why somebody would build the road that way, with all those curves, instead of taking a more-direct path. Obviously not property lines, the usual culprit for such things on the mainland. Perhaps it follows some traditional goat path that got heavier & heavier use over time?

Glad you lived to tell the tale (someday) about your own Saddle Road encounter!^

The Kona-side IS very dangerous, imo, given the number of potholes and edge-crumbles. It is 1 and 1/2 lanes at best, and at pau hana there are lots of folks in big trucks driving too fast.

Hilo-side is indeed better, though notice that none of the curves are banked. And I've never driven it in the morning or late afternoon that there wasn't fog and rain. A side trip into some nasty a`a lava fields could ruin your day.

If you're going to drive it, do so mid-day, imo.

That said, it is fascinating. Driving west to east you climb through several microclimates. It's always startling to find yourself in what feels like a Mendocino forest follwed quickly by terrain that reminds you of Nevada.

My own guess about why it was built the way it was is that the U.S. Army took the quickest way to bulldoze through the lava, which wasn't always the straight-and-narrow. Well, it was always the narrow, but you get my drift ;)

My own guess about why it was built the way it was is that the U.S. Army took the quickest way to bulldoze through the lava, which wasn't always the straight-and-narrow. Well, it was always the narrow, but you get my drift ;)
I just thought they were avoiding all the menehune trails.... ;)

My own guess about why it was built the way it was is that the U.S. Army took the quickest way to bulldoze through the lava, which wasn't always the straight-and-narrow. Well, it was always the narrow, but you get my drift ;)

I've been told (seriously) that another reason for its squiggliness is that it serves the Army airfield / Pohakuloa Training Area, and during WWII they didn't want troop columns lined up nice and straight for easier strafing.

I've been told (seriously) that another reason for its squiggliness is that it serves the Army airfield / Pohakuloa Training Area, and during WWII they didn't want troop columns lined up nice and straight for easier strafing.

Makes sense. And, of course, ready east side/west side access to Pohakuloa for the troops and materiel was the reason it was built in the first place, yah?

... And I've never driven it in the morning or late afternoon that there wasn't fog and rain. A side trip into some nasty a`a lava fields could ruin your day...

During my last crossing, the final few miles through the forested Parker Ranch region before hitting Mamalahoa were so dense with fog, we almost had to stop and wait - we were barely doing 1mph and the headlights just made it worse. I know the road, so I picked my way along, but I could see how the experience could have been disasterous for the uninitiated. Just briefly running a car's paint or wheels across some a'a lava would make for a nasty repair bill.

Having said that, it's certainly drivable by anyone who takes abit of time to familiarize themselves with the layout and driving culture. I think there are far more nerve wracking roads on the mainland, including the highway that enters Yosemite from the east side.

During my last crossing, the final few miles through the forested Parker Ranch region before hitting Mamalahoa were so dense with fog, we almost had to stop and wait - we were barely doing 1mph and the headlights just made it worse. I know the road, so I picked my way along, but I could see how the experience could have been disasterous for the uninitiated. Just briefly running a car's paint or wheels across some a'a lava would make for a nasty repair bill.

Having said that, it's certainly drivable by anyone who takes abit of time to familiarize themselves with the layout and driving culture. I think there are far more nerve wracking roads on the mainland, including the highway that enters Yosemite from the east side.Wait a sec. Are you talking about Tioga Pass from the Lee Vining side? That's a magnificent road! Sure, if you were to get carried away, you might launch yourself a couple thousand feet down, but the road's decently wide, well-maintained and offers spectacular scenary. Also lots of places you can pull over if you wish.

I would suggest the road up Tioga Pass is more similar to the climb up Haleakala than Saddle Road.

Wait a sec. Are you talking about Tioga Pass from the Lee Vining side? That's a magnificent road! Sure, if you were to get carried away, you might launch yourself a couple thousand feet down, but the road's decently wide, well-maintained and offers spectacular scenary. Also lots of places you can pull over if you wish.

I would suggest the road up Tioga Pass is more similar to the climb up Haleakala than Saddle Road.

Ah, interesting. When planning my trip to Yosemite last year, I read alot of very negative comments about that road - especially during the shoulder seasons when it might have some snow or ice around it.

It was described as very narrow, with hairpin turns and unguarded sides with sheer drop-offs. Were those descriptions incorrect?

Ah, interesting. When planning my trip to Yosemite last year, I read alot of very negative comments about that road - especially during the shoulder seasons when it might have some snow or ice around it.

It was described as very narrow, with hairpin turns and unguarded sides with sheer drop-offs. Were those descriptions incorrect?Here's a typical section of Tioga Pass on the eastern side- http://picasaweb.google.com/ChainReactionBicycles/SonoraTioga/photo#4984044494142963730
As you can see, it's a pretty nice road! Are you sure someone wasn't thinking of Sonora Pass? Although even that's a nicely maintained road (surprisingly nicely maintained, given how little traffic it gets).

This thread is going holoholo :D

Sounds like it might be a good topic for one of you to start in Travel and Dining/USA/The West forum.

cblaisd
Co-Moderator, Hawaii forum

Ah, interesting. When planning my trip to Yosemite last year, I read alot of very negative comments about that road - especially during the shoulder seasons when it might have some snow or ice around it.

It was described as very narrow, with hairpin turns and unguarded sides with sheer drop-offs. Were those descriptions incorrect?

This thread is going holoholo :D

Sounds like it might be a good topic for one of you to start in Travel and Dining/USA/The West forum.

cblaisd
Co-Moderator, Hawaii forumThanks, you're right, I'll drop out of this one. It was originally a comparison of Saddle Road to others, and somebody brought up one of my favorite roads as a comparison, and... must resist! :D No problem if you wish to delete this, or a prior post of mine, to clean things up.

(Although at least I did bring up Haleakala!)