View of Kilauea Crater

When we were driving back from Kona we decided to make a detour since it was a rare clear day in the volcano area.  We drove up the mountain from the bird park all the way to the end of the road which was about 10 miles of switchbacks that took around 45 minutes.  After the long drive, we had a little picnic up at the top and took in the view.  The drive was worth it though since it was so clear and at an elevation of 6662 ft we could see Kileua Crater and the valleys on both sides. The "cloud" closest to the ground, just to the left of Nana's shoulder, is smoke billowing from Kilauea crater.  Mountain climbers often use this spot to start their climb to the summit of Mauna Loa.  It's a usually a 3 day hike up and a 2 day hike down with 2 cabins along the trail for overnight stays.  Hikers must pack in their water and must be prepared for all kinds of weather, from extreme winds to snow and rain.