I believe the holes in the sign are so it won't blow over in the 60 kph+ winds.

The thin air up there has less than 70% of the oxygen we are used to so even a short
hike (and this was short) is tiring.

The ferns are well over 12 feet tall - I've never seen them before.

A lava flow in 1959 ejected pumice cinders that covered a large region
down range from the Volcano.  This trail is built on top of the pumice and
shows how life is reclaiming the area.

It was a little moist (blowing mist), but a lot of fun.

Would you have noticed the sign? The trail to lost lake is much less traveled
than the loop trail so you have to really pay attention to find the trail.

See the hiding wood nymph?  This bridge walks you over a boggy bit of trail.

The hike had a number of well used switchbacks - some of which Mark shortened.

The bubbly rocks show this area is the remains of
volcanic activity.

We are walking over the top of lava flow - you
can see the well worn columns in the bubbled rock.

This is part of the 4x4 road up to Starvation lake.

This about half an hour into the Awaawapuhi trail - quite possibly the most slippery trail
I've every hiked.  The hike takes you out one of the long fingers toward the ocean, but the
views aren't as spectacular as the lookouts from the road.  Nice hike though!

The trails are will maintained and not roads.