Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kilauea Lava

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View of Kilauea's Halema`uma`u Crater from the Volcano House, a hotel in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Catherine and I went to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. A swarm of earthquakes and subsequent formation of a fumarole (vent emitting gasses) the morning of March 12, 2008, has progressed to be the first explosive eruption in Halema`uma`u Crater since 1924 and the first lava erupted from the crater since 1982.The new vent in Halema`uma`u Crater is erupting elevated amounts of sulfur dioxide gas and ash.
An ash-laden plume rises from the newly formed vent within Halema‘uma‘u Crater.

Lava is currently flowing from a vent that is outside of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The site is east of the eastern boundary of the park and about 12 miles from the summit caldera of Kilauea. Hawai`i County has opened a viewing area at the end of Highway 130. The hike from the parking area to the viewing site is about a half-mile.
On the way to the lava viewing area, Catherine and I saw this sub-division of homes. I don't know if they survived the lava flow or were subsequently re-built.

Warning signs at the entrance to the viewing area.

Catherine walking out to the lava viewing area.




We could not see the glow from the lava, but we saw the steam and ash from where the lava flowed into the ocean.


Outside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Lava from this area continues to flow down the hillside and into the ocean

We walked out over a cold lava flow to the viewing area.






In this photo you can see the smoke from the lava as it flows down the Kilauea hillside.

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Day Hike Up Mount Washburn - Yellowstone National Park

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Catherine and I hiked up Mount Washburn in Yellowstone National Park. We climbed from the Chittenden Road parking area to the 10,243 foot summit. The hike was about 6 miles round trip. Mount Washburn was named for its discoverer, former Civil War general and U.S. Congressman Henry D. Washburn, who was the surveyor general of Montana after the war.

Pictures enlarge if you click on them.

Pictures enlarge if you click on them.

We could see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River from the trail.

The trail began to be covered in snow the higher we hiked up Mt. Washburn.

On the way to the top of Mount Washburn we saw this Yellow-bellied Marmot (Rock Chuck). The Yellow-bellied Marmot reside in colonies of about 10 to 20. Each male marmot digs a burrow soon after he wakes up from hibernation. He then starts looking for females and by summer has 1 to 4 females living with him. Litters usually average 2-5 offspring per female. Yellow-bellied Marmots burrows include "toilet rooms" in their burrows as well as living rooms, bedrooms and eating rooms.

Yes, the road you see below is where we started hiking and we aren't even half way to the top yet.

There were beautiful views of Yellowstone Park from the trail.

At some points the trail was completely covered in snow. This made the hiking a little tiring.

Don't slip on the snow, it's a long way down.

Yes, that is Catherine in the distance.

The most difficult part of the trail was around this narrow point to the left. It was covered in snow and a very steep drop on the side.

Yes, the air is thin and I am tired.

But, I am going to make it.

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Keep on going Catherine. We will rest when we reach the top.

Yeah, we can see the summit.

We had a few rain squalls on the way up. Now its just cold brisk breezes.

The 10,243 foot summit of Mount Washburn.

The Mt. Washburn Lookout at the summit of Mt. Washburn. It was nice to get warm again.

From the summit you can see the Absaroka Mountains to the east, Canyon and Yellowstone Lake to the South and the Gallatin Mountains to the west and north.

Yellowstone National Park has three fire towers, each staffed by trained fire fighters including one on top of Mount Washburn.

Hey Catherine. Now we have to hike back down.

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