Drove Bronco up 13,797 ft. to Mauna Kea observatory in Hawaii

[Offroadingturtle]

Drove the Bronco up to Mauna Kea observatory here on the Big Island of Hawaii yesterday. Elevation of 13797 ft. Temps get below freezing at this elevation and the summit is regularly covered in snow.
Drivers are required to use 4-wheel drive vehicles above the visitors center because the road to the summit is unpaved, rough, and quite steep. (They have numerous pics of vehicles who've rolled/crashed while descending, most of them jeeps) Those traveling to the summit are recommended to use 4WD Low Range to reduce brake failure and overheating. The rangers check your vehicle before going up and do a break check after you've descended back down to the visitors center which is at 9200ft. Temp on our breaks was 124 f.

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[ironmike]

Nice shots. Is that Maui in the distance in the first photo?

 

[Offroadingturtle]

Nice shots. Is that Maui in the distance in the first photo?

I believe so. You can see the top of Haleakala.

 

[BrentC]

Nice!

Three years ago I was up there in the snow in October. I used a rental Jeep Patriot which also got me to Emerald Beach and Wai’pio Valley through the deep water hole.

While getting the Patriot to these places impressed me, what was more impressive was that I got passed (at speed) on the steep section to the Mauna Kea summit by…a rental Volkswagen Jetta!

This proves once again what the difference is between a Bronco/Wrangler and a rental car: a rental car can go ANYWHERE!

 

[ryn0s3r1]

I believe so. You can see the top of Haleakala.

Yep! From the top of Haleakala you can also look back to the Big Island and see Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

 

[TigerBronco]

Drove the Bronco up to Mauna Kea observatory here on the Big Island of Hawaii yesterday. Elevation of 13797 ft. Temps get below freezing at this elevation and the summit is regularly covered in snow.
Drivers are required to use 4-wheel drive vehicles above the visitors center because the road to the summit is unpaved, rough, and quite steep. (They have numerous pics of vehicles who've rolled/crashed while descending, most of them jeeps) Those traveling to the summit are recommended to use 4WD Low Range to reduce brake failure and overheating. The rangers check your vehicle before going up and do a break check after you've descended back down to the visitors center which is at 9200ft. Temp on our breaks was 124 f.

Those wheels look fantastic!

 

[RC Bronco]

Those are some truly gorgeous photos - thanks for sharing them with us!!

 

[KirchTX]

Well done sir. This looks incredible.

It's on my bucket list to get up there at night.

 

[IDyeti]

Bring the sticks or board next time and

 

[Silver-Bolt]

One of the highest Bronco's on the planet.

 

[Cobrafang]

very nice!

 

[Offroadingturtle]

Nice!

Three years ago I was up there in the snow in October. I used a rental Jeep Patriot which also got me to Emerald Beach and Wai’pio Valley through the deep water hole.

While getting the Patriot to these places impressed me, what was more impressive was that I got passed (at speed) on the steep section to the Mauna Kea summit by…a rental Volkswagen Jetta!

This proves once again what the difference is between a Bronco/Wrangler and a rental car: a rental car can go ANYWHERE!

You used to be able to drive anything you wanted up to the summit. It's only been recently that they actually began enforcing the 4wd rule.

I have friends who used to take their Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys

 

[AZSky]

Can you stay overnight at the summit and starobserve with your telescope?

 

[lakesinai]

Drove the Bronco up to Mauna Kea observatory here on the Big Island of Hawaii yesterday. Elevation of 13797 ft. Temps get below freezing at this elevation and the summit is regularly covered in snow.
Drivers are required to use 4-wheel drive vehicles above the visitors center because the road to the summit is unpaved, rough, and quite steep. (They have numerous pics of vehicles who've rolled/crashed while descending, most of them jeeps) Those traveling to the summit are recommended to use 4WD Low Range to reduce brake failure and overheating. The rangers check your vehicle before going up and do a break check after you've descended back down to the visitors center which is at 9200ft. Temp on our breaks was 124 f.

Nice trip, nice story. I never knew there was snow in Hawaii!

 

[Offroadingturtle]

Can you stay overnight at the summit and starobserve with your telescope?

No, not at the summit.Rangers make sure everyone leaves shortly after sunset. They try to keep light pollution to a minimal because of the telescopes. But people have been known to car camp near the visitor center (9200') which also hosts nightly viewings of stars/planets with various telescopes.

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