Will VOG affect our hike views?

I heard the vog is making its way back in again today and during this week.

Does the vog affect the viuals on the Awa%26#39;awa/Nuolo (sorry can%26#39;t spell it) hike? We were thinking of going tomorrow or Friday morning but want to make sure we%26#39;ll be able to see something out of the %26#39;haze%26#39;!

Thanks,

Jen

Will VOG affect our hike views?

It%26#39;s really just a tad hazy here today. Your views may not be sharp and clear, but they will be visible.

Will VOG affect our hike views?

Jen, we%26#39;re doing that hike in the morning too, and I just read NOAA%26#39;s discussion. I think the key it to hit the trail really early. We%26#39;ll probably head up there around daybreak to start it. I think the haziest and muggy stuff will be the worst later in the day. Maybe we%26#39;ll see you guys on the trail.

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

Since the vog is going to come back to be with us for awhile longer -- I%26#39;d say just go as early as you can in order to minimize the haze as much as possible.

Malama Pono,

Janet

If you guys catch up to each other before you start perhaps you can set up a shuttle so you don%26#39;t have to hike the extra couple of miles at the end of the hike. You are fairly likely to be spent after 10 miles of some strenuous terrain.

I%26#39;m not in Hawaii now to experience the Vog but my guess is if it%26#39;s a dry day the worst that may happen is the colors may not be as prominent as at other times. As far as the mugginess you%26#39;re starting at 4000 ft, so that should cut down on it. Also as you proceed down the Nualolo trail you will be entering an area that tends to be drier than at the top. It could be raining at the Museum and be totally sunny at Lola Vista. This is what I experienced 1 time. However the trail was very muddy and slippery for the initial descent until I walked into better weather. ... But the rest of the way was Awesome!!!

Good point on the shuttle. I think we%26#39;re going to park at Awa trailhead and hike down in the morning since the road won%26#39;t have a lot of traffic. My wife suggested we hitch a ride if anyone passes, but at that time of the morning, LOL... doubtful.

Thanks everyone!

I guess we should%26#39;ve went earlier in the week while it was clear!

I wanted to go tomorrow but hubby burnt himself two days ago and now he%26#39;s whining that he wants to wait until Friday when he%26#39;s not as tender...

Have a great time JC!

Jen

It looks like you will be OK for friday, although they are calling for haze. Might not be that big a deal.

The awa awa puhi trail section should not be a problem for sun as it is pretty much protected by trees and shaded. It will be neaarly 4 miles of down, and pretty easy. Will get some sun along the cliffs section...lather the ';hunk'; up with sunscreen on the exposed areas.

It is ok to try and hitch a ride. Local and other hikers will understand that you have just hiked the 11 miles of the awa awa puhi nualolo loop, and you have a good chance for a ride.

When Erica and her daughter did the hike, they just hitched, and a local in a pick up had them hop into the bed of the truck, and dropped them off at the car park.

And the last time, Erica went with TA board freinds, I believe they took two cars and had them positioned at each end of the loop.

Also, the weather should hold until next tuesday for others, as the trades are ( predicted ) to return on saturday.

Happy treking....

Denny

I%26#39;ll do a report tonight of what we see today. We%26#39;re up and about to head to the trail head. Looks like a clear morning so far.

Wow, now THAT was a hike. We started at Awa`awapuhi trailhead and hiked down to the Nualolo trailhead. It looked like it rained a tiny bit overnight; the initial incline was fine, but the portion that starts to descend was tricky at times. Overall it wasn%26#39;t bad at all, just a bit slick. We got out to the Lolo Vista around 9:30 or so... pretty clear and despite a little haze along the Pali, just incredible views. My wife and I both felt this was the best lookout. We spent an hour or so there letting the sun fill the valley.

The Nualolo Cliff trail was also nice, and that first .25 of a mile was definitely why it earns its name. One portion seriously could give most hikers something to be nervous about. My wife did NOT like that portion, trail was very very narrow - the drop off big. But I got around with no problem, didn%26#39;t bother me really. The trail dips in and out of the woods, skirts the back rim of the valley offering incredible views at times.

Awa`awapuhi%26#39;s lookout was also very nice, still a tad hazy (nothing to do with the volcano though). Very clear day overall, just a few passing cumulus clouds. The hike back up was a real huffer, but I had a pack that was WAY to heavy for this hike. I%26#39;m gonna hurt tomorrow. Very glad we had hiked the Canyon Drive that morning though; it was nice having the car at the end of the trail. All in all, a bit over 11 miles. But VERY worth it.

We%26#39;re probably going to take advantage of the clear mornings and do Nounou tomorrow morning, then head up to do the Canyon Trail. Still keeping a part of Kalalau scheduled for Saturday.

I%26#39;ll post a link to some photos we took today later tonight.

Wow, you left at 5:11 am today! Whew! What part of the island are you from? Is that how early you suggest we go (from Kapa%26#39;a?) I%26#39;m glad you had a fun time!

Hubby is getting on my nerves today! He wants to wait until his burn heals because he refuses to wear a tank top (wants an even tan)... blah blah... I wanted to tell him to suck it up and wear the d@mn tank top! :)

So now we are going either Sunday or Monday probably and then the Kalalau to H falls on Wednesday.

I%26#39;m a little nervous about these hikes. I%26#39;ve never hiked before at all! We have our Tevas and a backpack for food and water. I%26#39;m just afraid my legs won%26#39;t make it! Hubby%26#39;s in shape though so he will have to carry me the rest of the way... ha ha.

Thanks for the info!

Jen

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