Thanks to Aileen for the invite to tag along with her group to hike in the top destination for Maui, Haleakala Crater. Well, that’s if you believe the travel guides.

Haleakala Visitor Center

We woke up before the crack of dawn and drove up the winding ten-mile road to the 10,023′ summit to stand in the cold mountain air and watched the crescent moon seemingly rise as the earth rotated on its axis.

Haleakala Visitor Center

People drive and fly countless miles to bear witness to … a ten foot selfie pole standing out from the crowd …

Haleakala Visitor Center

… oh and the sunrise is not bad either.

Haleakala Visitor Center

Looking back at the triangular shadow of the dormant volcano.

Haleakala Visitor Center

Sunrise group photo at the House of the Sun.

Haleakala Visitor Center

Menchie trying to slow down the sun’s ascent much like the demigod Maui did in Hawaiian folklore.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Partial group photo in front of the crater that was thought to have last erupted between 1480 and 1600.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Aileen and El left to shuttle and stage cars, so we made our descent down the Sliding Sands Trail.

Chukar

We spotted a couple of introduced game birds roaming around the top of the trail. When is hunting season?

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Ferlino marching to his own tune, more accurately the senior boy scout songs from back in the day.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Going down the wide switchbacks.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Mari trying to catch the sun as Aileen and El soon caught up to the group.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

How many flags can you spot in this photo? Look carefully.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

El against the volcanic landscape pimpled with cinder cones.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Three of us standing on varying degrees of elevated volcanic rocks.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Passing through a stretch of endemic ‘ahinahina (silverswords) found only on the slopes of Haleakala, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. These very grey plants once carpeted the mountains like a blanket of snow until animal grazing and human visitation decimated the population to a mere 100 back in 1927. The creation of Halekala National Park in 1961 brought them back from the brink of extinction. We were too early for the blooming season that occurs during June to November.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Low flying drone view or just a very tall selfie stick.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Approaching the bottom of the crater floor.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Belated Happy Birthday to Aileen, I guess that’s why she got two donuts.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

No horses were tied up at the hitching post, so some in the group took full advantage of the vacancy to test our their balancing, twisting and hanging skills.

Junction

All dressed up with someplace to go.

Halemau’u Trail

Bringing the rear up on the sandy trail.

Halemau’u Trail

Behind the scenes of the making of a direct to video action flick. Subtitles not included.

Halemau’u Trail

Following the trail as it weaved between the cinder cones in the crater.

Halemau’u Trail

Slight detour towards the Halali’i Cinder Cone.

Pele’s Paint Pot

Partial group photo in front of the swirling and striated colorful colors of the cinder cone best seen with the camera eye, as the rest were off making their own photographic memories.

Halemau’u Trail

Heading back to the main trail.

Halemau’u Trail

Just concentrate on the first mileage, worry about the second one later. One foot in front of the other.

Halemau’u Trail

Hiking towards the afternoon clouds that were filling up Kaupo Gap in the distance.

Halemau’u Trail

Passing some low lying shrubs on the trail.

Halemau’u Trail

Approaching one of three cabins in the crater.

Halemau’u Trail

The Dynamic Duo decided to check out the lava tube that seemingly only has one entry and exit now.

Halemau’u Trail

You’ve heard of The Flyin’ Hawaiian? Meet The Flyin’ Filipino.

Holua Cabin

Sharing the cabin area with what soon became a popular hanging out spot. Glad we grabbed the picnic bench before the large influx of hikers streamed in from the trails.

Holua Cabin

Look but don’t feed the Hawaiian goose lest one be kicked out of a Neanderthal group, guilty by association and all. The nene were thought to have descended from Canadian geese that were blown off course and their descendants evolved into the nene, nene nui and the giant Hawaiian goose. All three were hunted by the Hawaiians, Europeans, rats, pigs, dogs and mongoose until only the nene went extinct. In 1962, the nene were re-introduced to Haleakala from nene raised in England of all places. The population count is roughly below 400 birds for Maui.

Holua Cabin

Cave eye view of the cabin below.

Holua Cabin

The Dynamic Duo leaving no stone unturned, no cave unexplored and no selfie untaken.

Holua Cabin

I thought Flag Day wasn’t until June 14. For some, it’s every time they go in the mountains.

Halemau’u Trail

Leaving the cabin as we pushed off the trail for the final climb of the day.

Halemau’u Trail

Ferlino providing amusement for the group and other passing hikers. I’m glad we are all easily entertained.

Halemau’u Trail

Some had to ponder if the sign meant gate was closed or to close the gate. Luckily, we chose the latter.

Halemau’u Trail

Climbing up the graded trail that hugs the 1,000′ plus cliffs.

Halemau’u Trail

How many switchbacks is this? Who’s keeping count? Ferlino!

Halemau’u Trail

This is nothing. We do much harder stuff before breakfast. LOL.

Halemau’u Trail

Leaving the switchbacks behind us as we crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Hope we are not fallen pets.

Halemau’u Trail

The end of the trail. The light at the end of the tunnel.

All pau

What we’ve got here is failure to communicate. After we all got on the same page, we assembled back at the trailhead to take our final group photo of our memorable hike.

GPS Tracks

Our crater hike covered 11.24 miles at high elevation and rugged scenery straight from the fourth planet. Many thanks to Aileen and CJ for acquiring the accommodations, rental cars and sunrise permits. Mahalo to the group for the fun company, encouragement and motivation. Post hike meal at Kula Lodge where the waiter that has a passing resemblance to the 43rd President checked and double checked on soda refills. Maybe he should’ve checked harder on the meals and dessert.

Photos taken by Aileen Agustin, Chris Bautista, CJ Mendiola, Elderick Deal, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Menchie Bautista and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.