Photographs of a Mauna Kea drive-up on August 28, 2004 by John Roper and his family. Text and photo captions by John Roper.

At 13,796 feet Mauna Kea is the highest point on the island and state of Hawaii; and is the second greatest prominence peak in the USA 50 states. Only Denali (Mount McKinley) beats its prominence (with Mount Rainier a close third).

Some point out that it is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base, rising over 33,000 feet above the ocean floor.

Despite warnings about definitely requiring 4WD (four wheel drive) for getting to the top (and illegal to take your rental car here), high altitude sickness on such a rapid elevation gain especially to those under 16, high winds and biting cold; Karen, Aaron, and I summited this prize on 8/28/2004, doing 99.9 % in a rented wimpy Dodge Neon largely on asphalt, with only one 5 mile section being nicely graded dirt-gravel. It's a 2.5 hour casual drive from Kailua-Kona on the seacoast.

The top is studded with observatories to the heavens.