This dirt and gravel road goes uphill west of Ahumoa to the historic Puʻu Lāʻau Ranger cabin, passing through open māmane (Sophora chrysophylla), naio (Myoporum sandwicense), and ʻiliahi (Santalum paniculatum) native high-elevation dry forest. Native forest birds such as ʻamakihi (Hemignathus virens) and ʻelepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis)are often sighted in the vicinity of the road. The route also traversescritical habitat of the endangered palila (Loxioides bailleui), a Hawaiian finch found only on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea.
Part of the Hawai‘i Island Birding Trail (see link below).