Volcanoes National Park
May 10, 2004
Kilauea Iki Trail (4 mile loop)
View from the Kilauea Iki Overlook, with the entire Kilauea Caldera in the background
We walked counterclockwise; the loop begins 450 feet above Kilauea Iki in a rainforest
This photo shows the size of the tree ferns
This photo gives some perspective on the height of the rim trail above the crater
A wild orchid
Panorama of Kilauea Iki crater, site of a massive eruption in 1959; molten lava is "only" 400 feet below the surface!
A non-native Kalij pheasant crosses our path
Our first good view of the site of the eruption
Looking down over the Ohi'a forest
Descending to the crater floor
The Ohi'a lehua is unique to Hawai'i and is one of the first plants to take root in a lava field
Steam rises from vents on the crater floor, an eerie reminder of the molten lava below the surface
The eruptions create strange rock forms as the lava cools
A large steam vent
Looking back down the trail we took across the crater
After ascending the crater side, we are once again in lush rainforest
The rainforest is in stark contrast to the crater
Looking down on a tree fern canopy as we approach Thurston's Lava Tube
A final view as we return to our starting point at the Kilauea Iki Overlook
View photos of the Mauna Iki Trail
View other photos from the Big Island
View snorkeling photos
