Lake Waiau, Mauna Kea - May 13, 2012

During a trip up to the summit of Mauna Kea for sunset Sommer, Robert and I stopped to hike out to Lake Waiau. Lake Waiau is a small lake at 13,020 feet, the seventh highest lake in the USA (higher than Lake Titicaca).  It's less than a mile to the lake from the trailhead, but at 13,000 feet it feels like MILES!  With 40% less oxygen at that elevation, every step is labored.  We parked just below the Keck Observatory and made our way across the barren landscape.

Nestled in the crater of Pu`u Waiau, Lake Waiau isn't very big, just 100 meters across at its fullest. The lake is sacred to Native Hawaiians. The lakes elevation makes it closer to the heavens. The lake was also a portal to the afterlife (Hawaiians considered the lake to have no bottom). It is the piko of the island.

Panorama from the east bank.

The lake was ringed by a bright red algae.

The banks of the lake were soft and made of a very fine silt.

I've wanted to make the trek to Lake Waiau for years and the hike did not disappoint.  It was a great way to top off our trip to the Big Island!

Click here for a great read about Lake Waiau and instruction on how to get there.

Rest of the pictures here:

Ka`ena Point - April 29, 2012

Ka`ena Point with Sommer. Headed out past Wai`anae, Makaha and Makua to Keawa'ula (Yokohama Beach) and Ka`ena Point State Park.

The road is old and coast is hard.

Near the end of the road is a rather large rock arch.

At the end of the road...someone found a place to park. The road is washed out just past this pickup. You used to be able to drive around the point, but during Hurricane Iwa the road got washed out and it's now impassible.

Surrounding Ka`ena Point State Park is a fence to keep dogs and other animals out who would threaten the birds and their nests at the point.

Beyond the fence the park opens up to sand dunes and birds nests.

Out at the point there was a endangered Hawaiian monk seal lounging on the rocks.

We took in the sights of the point before heading back to civilization.

On the way back we passed this guy heading out to the point. In dress slacks, dress shirt and dress shoes. Walking along the path like he was headed to a meeting in the conference room down the hall.

Made our way back to Keawa`ula and thankfully our car was still there and no windows were broken!!!  We headed to Ai`ea and had some awesome lunch!

Rest of the pictures here: