Setting off on the Mauna Iki Trail, through the Ka'u Desert
The trail is only navigable with the aid of rocks and cairns as markers
In areas of older lava flows, folliage is reclaiming the land
At first glance the landscape seems barren; on closer inspection, there are many signs of life
Ground formations are bizzare, with many sites of prior eruptions
This old flow looks just like twisted rope
Ferns peek out of a deep crevase in the lava rock
Looking toward our landmarks, a large cinder cone on the right and Pu'u Koae on the right
This seems like the surface of another planet!
A more recent flow shows no signs of life, just black glass-like lava that requires careful footing
Native white-tailed tropic birds called Koae fly overhead as we near Pu'u Koae
One of the twin pit craters near the cinder cone
Panorama of one of the craters; danger signs warn of the hidden edge on the left, under the old lava flow
Nearing our turnaround point, Pu'u Koae (3250 ft)
Rocks marking the footpath are more apparent here
Pu'u Koae
Golden Pele's hair
A Nene, Hawaii's state bird (goose)
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