A pair of endangered nēnē guard a nest near the end of the Chain of Craters Road in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Signs beside the road identify local flora.
Steam from the lava flow entering the Pacific is visible from miles away.
To the north sits the slope of the Kupaianaha Lava Shield and Pu'u Ō'ō.
The end of motorized traffic and the beginning of your hike.
The lava flow completely destroyed the Chain of Craters Road, but the gravel road has since been reestablished.
Some of the lava's supple characteristics are echoed in the hardened forms.
Nearing the end of the trail, air quality is a serious consideration.
High concentrations of sulfur dioxide can be fatal, so this hike should always be considered condition-dependent.
An example of some of the unexpected behavior the park service must cope with.
Some of the park service's very handy tips for traveling over the lava field. Rangers patrol to prevent interactions with surface flows, but encounters are possible nevertheless.
The end of the Chain of Craters Road section and the beginning of the lava field traverse. Sturdy footwear is a must here.
The route follows the white boundary, and you'll be picking your way up, down, and around the lava landscape.
The hike is hot and exposed, so water and sun protection are essential.
The designated viewing area (as of December, 2016), upwind from the lava flow.
Billowing clouds of steam emanate from the visible and subsurface flows into the Pacific.
The lava flow off of the Chain of Craters Road, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
A flash of lava amidst the chaos of steam and ocean surge in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
The lava flow off of the Chain of Craters Road, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
It is possible and popular to enter from the west and bike into the park.
Biking in can be a better choice for kids as it avoids the long hike, although the air quality can be a challenge for young lungs.
Heat and steam emanate from the crust as you cross the lava field.