Travelling through ohia and giant fern forests, we arrived at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Beaming, Jeanne confirmed the safe approach to view Pu'u 'O'o lava flowing into the Pacific. Passing a series of craters through the Kau desert, we descended to the dramatic volcanic coastal plain. The plain's blacks, grays and browns date its lava flows. Most recent black lava degrades to grays.
Grays oxidize to rusty browns.
Recent flows covered the highway. With walking sticks and hip packs loaded with cameras, water and deli lunches, our group prepared for a three mile coastal hike atop the lava. Generally we hiked on smooth undulating pahoehoe lava, avoiding crusty, sharp patches of a'a. After crossing hot, shiny metallic, acrid smelling two day old pahoehoe, we soon reached our goal. With every surge, steam rose to be seen for miles.