Mounds Walk at Tongariro was another short track, with several information boards. After a few minutes there’s a view across the landscape. The Mounds were created by volcanic rubble and slabs of rock that swept down the mountain 11,000 years ago.
David Johnson I remember traversing Tongariro National Park over the course of three days back in 1985 or '86. It left a real impression on me. Now I am living on the flanks of another volcano.
Miraz Jordan @crossingthethreshold That's quite a hike. My capabilities are walks that are up to about 3 hours max, maybe 4. I've visited the area before but loved the walks I did and the whole area this time. Is your volcano the one with the observatories on top? I've been on a tour to the top of that one.
David Johnson The main and highest volcano here on Maui is Haleakala, and “yes” there are observatories on top. There are also observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea which is situated on the island of Hawai’i, the Big Island of the Hawaiian chain.
Miraz Jordan @crossingthethreshold Thanks. I referred to my photo album and it was Mauna Kea I visited in 2008. 😀
David Johnson Thank you for sharing. The controversies around indigenous land and the summit of Mauna Kea are still very much there, with the focus at the moment on the building of a telescope by the University of Hawaii. This has currently been halted following some large demonstrations at the foot of the mountain just before the COVID pandemic.
Looking at the last photograph, do you know what mountain is in the background? It could be Mauna Loa which is also on the Big Island, or the summit of Haleakala, 78 miles away on Maui. Mauna Kea can be seen from Haleakala’s summit and also from the eastern shore of Maui.