Hotfooting it in Hawaii

Waterfalls of lava cascade over cliffs and disappear under fume clouds, then burble into the ocean at Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park. Since early May, more than 1,200 gawkers have been trekking daily to see the latest scene in the molten drama, which began in 1983. Kilauea Volcano continuously spits lava, but the flow is rarely this accessible and visually stunning. “It’s really dynamic, changing constantly day to day,” says park spokeswoman Norrie Judd. A trail marked with reflectors leads from the end of Chain of Craters Road about a mile to the moving red stuff. Park officials warn visitors to stay away between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. because the black lava underfoot may mean a meltdown for hikers. “Black absorbs heat, so they’re walking over really hot ground in the midpart of the day with the sun beating on them,” Judd says. Besides, the fiery lava really stands out in the waning predusk light. Must-haves for visitors: boots or other sturdy shoes (no sandals), long pants, sunscreen, hat, flashlight, binoculars, rain gear, lots of water and a first-aid kit. And don’t even think about taking a tumble. “If you fall on lava, it’s like falling on broken glass,” Judd says. Spectators close to the beach, where fume clouds form, may also want to wear a particulate mask to filter out some of the gases. To view daily updates of the big spew at a safe distance, go to hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea. Or try running the July 31 Kilauea Volcano Wilderness Marathon (www.volcanoartcenter.org) on lava fields described as “extremely rough and uneven terrain.” Yeah, no kidding.