⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 Google Rating | Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice
EXPERIENCED GUIDES • DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES • ONE SHARED PURPOSE
Meet the Guides
Volcanic landscapes make more sense when someone can explain what you are seeing, how it formed and why it matters.
The Volcanoes Hiking Guides team brings more than 20 years of combined professional guiding experience, with backgrounds in environmental education, national parks, ecology, volcanic observation, photography and outdoor endurance.
Each guide brings a different perspective to the trail. Guide assignments depend on the selected hike, preferred date, group size and team availability.
Meet Your Guides Behind the Hikes
FOUNDER
Jennifer Bell
Founder & Lead Guide | Wilderness First Responder | Environmental Educator
Jennifer Bell is the founder and lead guide of Volcanoes Hiking Guides. She holds a BA in Recreation Management from the University of Montana and has professional experience in environmental education, outdoor recreation, forest ecology and national park guiding.
Jennifer’s guiding journey began in Montana, where she planned and led outdoor experiences and worked as a tree planter and timber cruiser. She later served as Recreation Coordinator for the Town of West Yellowstone, organizing community activities and helping children learn about plants, streams and wildlife.
Before guiding in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Jennifer also guided hiking and snowmobile experiences in Yellowstone National Park. After returning to Hawaiʻi, she continued developing hiking experiences that give guests time to explore volcanic landscapes on foot rather than moving quickly between sightseeing stops.
Her background in forests, ecology and environmental education helps her explain the connection between volcanic activity, native plants and the gradual recovery of the landscape.
On the trail, Jennifer keeps the conversation clear and approachable. She connects what guests are seeing with Hawaiʻi’s geology, eruption history, ecology and changing volcanic environment while adapting the pace to the route and group.
Credentials and Experience
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Founder and Lead Guide of Volcanoes Hiking Guides
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Current Wilderness First Responder through Survival Med
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BA in Recreation Management from the University of Montana
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Former Yellowstone National Park guide
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Environmental educator
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Professional Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guide
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Experience in forest ecology, tree planting and timber cruising
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Experience planning hiking, backpacking, rafting, skiing and winter-camping activities
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Commercial Use Authorization-listed Owner/Guide
Jennifer’s Areas of Expertise
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Volcanic geology and eruption history
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Native plants and ecological recovery
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Forest ecology
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How landscapes change after eruptions
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Environmental education
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Outdoor preparation and changing trail conditions
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Comfortable and safety-conscious group pacing
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Connecting geology, ecology and the human experience
What Jennifer Enjoys Explaining
“One thing I especially enjoy helping guests notice or understand is how the land transforms after the destruction caused by lava, as plants gradually return and eventually bloom, because this process reflects how people can overcome hardship, grow and flourish in life.”
Connect With Jennifer on Facebook
Yvonne Baur
Guide | Lava Photographer | Volcanology Student | Former Park Ranger
Yvonne Baur combines years of firsthand volcanic observation with professional lava photography and experience working in several national parks.
Her park background includes three and a half years as a ranger at Zion National Park, a summer at Yellowstone National Park and ranger experience at Mount St. Helens. She also previously guided with Epic Lava before the ocean-entry lava flow stopped in 2018.
Yvonne has spent years observing, studying and photographing Kīlauea. Her familiarity with volcanic terrain helps guests recognize details in craters, lava formations, tephra deposits and the surrounding native environment.
Her photography has been featured or published by Shutterbug, Outdoor Photographer and Backpacker Magazine. Her work reflects the patience and attention to detail she also brings to trail interpretation.
Yvonne guides in English and can provide German-language guiding when arranged in advance and when she is available.
Yvonne’s Credentials and Background
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Professional lava photographer
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Volcanology student
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Former national park ranger
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Three and a half years of ranger experience at Zion National Park
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Summer ranger experience at Yellowstone National Park
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Ranger experience at Mount St. Helens
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Previous guiding experience with Epic Lava
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Years of firsthand Kīlauea observation and documentation
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Photography featured or published in Shutterbug, Outdoor Photographer and Backpacker Magazine
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English- and German-language guiding
Yvonne’s Areas of Expertise
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Volcanic features and eruption evidence
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Lava formations, craters and tephra
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How volcanic landscapes change over time
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Volcanic observation and field interpretation
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Lava and landscape photography
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Native plants and wildlife encountered along the trail
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How scientists monitor changes in volcanic activity
What Yvonne Enjoys Explaining
“Yvonne especially enjoys showing guests how USGS tiltmeters record small changes in the volcano’s surface and how scientists use that information alongside other observations to monitor volcanic activity.”
Connect With Yvonne on Facebook
View Yvonne Baur’s Photography
Cameron Wysocky
Part-Time Guide | Writer | Outdoor Endurance Athlete
Cameron Wysocky guides for Volcanoes Hiking Guides during breaks from his university studies. Depending on his schedule and availability, he may lead any of the company’s hiking experiences.
He is a graduate student in the Behavioral and Brain Sciences Program at the University of Georgia. His outdoor background includes Ironman triathlon experience, hiking, mountaineering and climbing mountains above 14,000 feet.
On the trail, Cameron helps guests understand Hawaiʻi’s volcanic history, geology and plant life. His academic perspective and outdoor experience contribute to an analytical but approachable guiding style.
Cameron has also contributed writing and photography about Mauna Loa and other Hawaiian volcanic landscapes to the Volcanoes Hiking Guides website.
Cameron’s Credentials and Background
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Active Volcanoes Hiking Guides guide during university breaks
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Graduate student in the Behavioral and Brain Sciences Program at the University of Georgia
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Commercial Use Authorization-listed Owner/Guide
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Ironman triathlon experience
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Avid hiker and mountaineer
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Experience climbing mountains above 14,000 feet
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Writer and photography contributor
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Author of a Volcanoes Hiking Guides article about Hawaiʻi’s shield volcanoes
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English-language guiding
Cameron’s Areas of Expertise
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Hawaiʻi’s volcanic history
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Volcanic geology
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The formation and scale of Mauna Loa
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Plant identification
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How volcanic activity shapes landscapes
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Outdoor endurance and preparation
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Connecting scientific ideas with visible trail features
What Cameron Enjoys Explaining
“One thing I especially enjoy helping guests understand is the immense scale of Mauna Loa. Although it can appear deceptively broad from many viewpoints, measured from the ocean floor to the summit, it rises approximately 30,000 feet.”
Explore Hawaiʻi’s shield volcanoes through Cameron’s writing and photography.
What Each Guide Brings to the Trail
Guide: Jennifer Bell
Role: Founder and Lead Guide
Main Areas of Expertise:
Jennifer helps guests understand volcanic geology, eruption history, native plants, forest ecology, environmental recovery and the ways Hawaiʻi’s volcanic landscapes continue to change.
Languages:
English
Guide: Yvonne Baur
Role: Guide, lava photographer and former park ranger
Main Areas of Expertise:
Yvonne brings expertise in volcanic features, lava photography, field observation, craters, tephra, native plants and wildlife. German-language guiding may be requested in advance and is subject to her availability.
Languages:
English and German
Guide: Cameron Wysocky
Role: Part-Time Guide and Writer
Main Areas of Expertise:
Cameron helps guests explore Hawaiʻi’s volcanic history, geology, the formation and scale of Mauna Loa, and plant identification.
Languages:
English
Every guide follows the confirmed route, current access requirements and applicable safety procedures while bringing their own professional background and interests to the experience.
Can You Request a Particular Guide?
Yes. If you would like to request a particular guide, contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides before booking or as early as possible.
Guide assignments depend on:
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The selected hike
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Your preferred date
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Group size
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Guide schedules and availability
A particular guide may be requested but cannot be guaranteed.
German-language guiding is available only when Yvonne is available and must be arranged in advance. There is no additional charge for requesting a guide or German-language guiding.
What Guests Say About Their Guides
Jennifer’s Knowledge
★★★★★
"Jennifer MADE our trip to the park. Her knowledge is outstanding."
Colleen M. ✓ Tripadvisor
Yvonne Going Above and Beyond
★★★★★
“Yvonne even texted us after the hike so we could return and witness the eruption.”
Chanelle S. ✓ Google
Hiking With Jennifer and Cameron
★★★★★
“Jennifer and her son Cameron were top notch—friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the volcanoes, craters and history.”
Mya W. ✓ Viator
Ready for Your Next Adventure?
Choose Your Hiking Experience
Your guide assignment will depend on the selected experience, date, group size and team availability.
Choose a group or private hike that fits your available time, walking ability and interests. If you have a guide or language request, contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides before booking.
Can’t find a date for your preferred hike? Call or email us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Have Questions?