You will be glad that this trail is only 1.2 miles because it is very stinky here. The trail is an easy loop, relatively flat, made of paved ground, dirt paths and boardwalks. When we visited here Yellowstone National Park immediately came to my mind.
Sulphur Banks (Ha’akulamanu)
The steam is a caused by groundwater mixing with gases that are rich in carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide being heated by the volcano. The sulphur causes the rotten egg smell to permeate the air. The park’s website has warnings about the air quality and recommends that pregnant women, infants, young children and people with respiratory problems do not take this walk.
Steam Rising at the Sulphur Vents
The red clay you see is caused by the sulfuric acid changing the lava into clay.
The Steam of Ha’akulamanu
You can see from the photos that the path is an easy hike. This is another area of the park that may be closed due to air quality so be sure to check out their website for closures, it can change daily. We did not rush through the hike, but the smell does keep one from loitering. I believe we were in and out within 30 minutes, walking the entire loop and stopping for pictures.
Grasslands at Ha’akulamanu (Sulphur Banks)
The ground is so warm here that it is more of a grassland with few trees being able to tolerate the heat. This area was very distinct from the rest of the park. It is located right next to the Kilauea Visitor Center, so it is very easy to add into your day. Although I didn’t enjoy the smell, I loved the scenery and watching the steam randomly puffing up and out of the grasses.
After our quick hike we drove over to the Thomas Jaggar Museum, which is the best place to see the eruptive activity of the Halema’uma’u Crater, and also one of the most crowded places in the park. As always, wishing you happy travels and fantastic adventures in this thing called life.
(All pictures are available as Fine Art Prints and Digital Downloads for purchase at full resolution through Alamy. If you see something you like, click on the link. If you are unable to find it, use the Contact Me page and I will make sure the image is available.)
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Visiting Sulphur Banks (Ha’akulamanu) at Volcanoes National Park
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