It was back in 2013 so I don't remember exact times. Looking at the metadata for the photos we were at 8000 feet taking pictures of the kids at 4:36pm Hawaii time. We were there on April 11th. Based on the metadata again it appears sunset around 6:45pm. I seem to remember having just over an hour to kill before sunset at the top. It was almost enough time to walk some of the trails but not quite enough.
There aren't many places to stop on the way up; the views aren't that different. But the drive does take a bit. We google mapped it, and I remember it was right on, so you might do that to figure your actual drive time. Seems like it took 45 min or so from the gate. It's a very nice road but the curves make it slow.
Thank you for the encouragement! We have decided on sunset and are feeling good about the decision especially for the 1 yr. old. Having him all out of routine could impact the rest of the day(s). (However, we aren’t sure how HI time differences will affect him either.
). We will take things as they come! It sounds like God’s creation will be breathtaking either way!
It got cold quick. We were there in April and it was in the low 30’s soon after sunset.
Thank you for the weather advice!!
Now do NOT do what we did and haul 4 hoodies 4000 miles and then leave them in the room!!! Because there was exactly one style hoodie for sale in the park and between both shops, they were all XLs. At $60 each, with none of us needing that size, we just had to be cold!! LOL
