Visiting This One Mountain Lake In Hawaii Is Like Experiencing A Dream
By Megan Shute|Published May 18, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are positively magical, especially when you venture away from the luxury resorts and large cities to discover the island’s best landscapes, views, and hidden gems. From stunning caves and gorgeous swimming holes to beautiful temples and churches, there are countless ethereal spots found throughout the Aloha State, though no place is more dreamy than this mountain lake.
Nestled amongst the clouds near the summit of Hawaii Island’s Mauna Kea at more than 13,000 feet above sea level, Lake Waiau is one of only a few lakes found throughout an island state known for its incredible beaches.
It's also the only lake on Hawaii Island, after the evaporation of Ka Wai o Pele in 2018.
Waiau is not only one of the highest lakes in the United States, but it is also one of the smallest, measuring in at just 328 meters in diameter. It is also the only glacially-formed lake in the mid-pacific.
During its peak in the spring months, the lake can reach maximum depths of six to eight feet, and shrinks to one third its size by the end of summer, measuring in at less than three feet deep.
As of September 2013, the lake measured in at less than 2 percent of its original size. No one is exactly sure what caused this massive shrinkage, but it is assumed to be related to drought-like conditions at Mauna Kea from 2010 to 2013, because in 2014, after a particularly rainy winter, the lake was back to approximately 75 percent of its regular size.
You see, nowhere else in the summit area of Mauna Kea is the ground able to retain water. The exact nature of the impenetrable ground layer beneath the lake is still unknown, though it is assumed that fine-grained, densely-compressed ash, a small permafrost layer, or basalt rock, may be behind the strange lake.
The Mauna Kea summit, including Lake Waiau, was once considered to be sacred land, and only priests and chieftains were allowed to access it.
After the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii, members of the royal family occasionally visited the site, and in 1881, Queen Emma visited the lake and took a bath — the last royal Hawaiian to ever visit Lake Waiau.
To reach this sacred lake, visitors will have to take a short, one-mile walk, found near Mauna Kea’s astronomy domes.
Don’t underestimate this hike, though — because of the high altitude, a lack of oxygen can make movement slow and breathing difficult. The trail also provides no respite from the burning sun, and sunburn is a major threat. It is suggested that you stop at the Mauna Kea Visitors Center at 9,000 feet above sea level for at least 30 minutes in an attempt to avoid altitude sickness.
Though small, this lake nestled at the summit of Hawaii's tallest mountain is absolutely ethereal — especially if you visit at sunset.
Have you ever visited Lake Waiau? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Then, head on over to Facebook to join our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group to share your favorite nature photos.
You might also be interested in discovering another epic trail at the summit of Mauna Kea.
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