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The Loop that Ain't! by imike  Years earlier, hikers could enjoy a nicely extended loop around the Kilauea Volcano Caldera, including numerous connecting opportunities to cut across and into the lower craters. Alas, those days are gone. While the Crater Rim Trail remains enticingly on the park map, for the most part, it's route lies within the AREA CLOSED range. There are parts of the trail still available; it is a trail still worth hiking. You can connect with this trail anywhere along the Crater Rim Drive (a loop drive that suffers the same closed limits as the trail)... but you might as well drive down to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and hike downhill from that high point. You can make your way out and around the North and East end of the Volcano, enjoying some exceptional overviews, including the Kilauea Iki Crater... and the Thurston Lava Tube...ending down on Chain of Craters Road near the Devastation Trail. At this point you have the very nice option to connect back with your car along Byron Ledge Trail and the other trails that descend to the lower basin of the Kilauea Caldera... or, loop back up to track back on Crater Rim Trail. It's not anything like it used to be... but, it is well worth the effort! Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
