The original plan was to have camped in the crater for the weekend but we changed it to a day hike instead.

Paia

We woke up, somebody had their hair braided, didn’t know we had a hairdresser in the house and checked out of our airbnb.

Haleakala

Driving into the national park that was created in 1961.

Haleakala

We parked at the dormant, not extinct, East Maui Volcano that accounts for 75% of the island’s mass.

Haleakala

Group photo with the observatories in the background. These ground based telescopes are operated by a cabal consisting of the DOD, UH, USAF, Smithsonian, FAA and others.

Haleakala

We spotted several of these game birds, called chukar, native to Asia that were introduced in 1923. Anybody got a hunting license?

Sliding Sands Trail

Group photo before we started our loop hike in the crater below us.

Sliding Sands Trail

Descending down the path also known as Keonehe’ehe’e Trail.

Sliding Sands Trail

Mari against the backdrop of the crater that is a kaleidoscope of geological colors.

Sliding Sands Trail

Sandra on the trail that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s.

Sliding Sands Trail

The girls passing underneath what looks like a Shark Fin from a certain angle.

Sliding Sands Trail

Chico the dog whisperer.

Sliding Sands Trail

Passing through the split rock with several cinder cones in the distance.

Sliding Sands Trail

Group photo on the trail that was built to encourage people to visit the crater by foot. It worked.

Sliding Sands Trail

Looking at a patch of Haleakala Silversword plants that used to carpet the crater until grazing goats and hikers nearly drove it to extinction in the 1920s before park management saved the plant which flowers only once after 50 years and then dies off. No flowering stalks to be seen on the trail today.

Sliding Sands Trail

Some in the group decided to do calisthenics on the old hitching post that harks back to a time when horseback riding tours were permitted in the crater.

Ka Moa O Pele Loop

Mari going up the loop trail.

Ka Moa O Pele Loop

Descending down towards the two cinder cones of Halalai’i and Pu’unaue.

Kawilinau

The Hawaiians use to throw offerings in the “bottomless pit” for blessings and ceremonies. The pit is actually 65′ deep and does bottom out.

Pu’u Naue Spur Trail

Met two other hikers who had just stayed at the cabin that was our destination. How did you get your permit? Those things are so hard to obtain I swear.

Sliding Sands Trail

Time to take a load off our feet.

Kapalaoa Cabin

We took our lunch break at one of three cabins in the crater with a pair of Hawaiian geese, the world’s rarest goose, due to the low numbers in the wild. Sandra also met another fellow German hiker that was camping in the crater.

Kapalaoa Cabin

Group photo in front of the cabin built in 1937.

Sliding Sands Trail

Hiking in the massive depression that measures roughly 11 x 3 miles wide.

Sliding Sands Trail

Shadows on the trail.

Sliding Sands Trail

Leaving flat ground as we approached the incline trail.

Sliding Sands Trail

We met Matt and his two friends going down the trail to camp in the crater. Their plans would change as well in regards to the camping sites.

Sliding Sands Trail

Hiking in the volcanic crater was nothing short of surreal.

Sliding Sands Trail

Hiking up the trail with the sheer walls rising 2,600′ from the crater floor.

Sliding Sands Trail

Sandra against the backdrop of the massive shield volcano that is technically dormant and not extinct.

Sliding Sands Trail

Chico waving the Star Spangled Banner. The national anthem was penned by Francis Scott Key to the tune of an English song and the flag itself was fabricated from English bunting. How many stars did the flag have when it was flown over Fort McHenry? 15. The number of states in the union in 1813.

Sliding Sands Trail

The Flyin’ Filipino, not to be confused with Shane Victorino.

Sliding Sands Trail

Going back up is definitely harder than going down the trail. Cardio push at high elevation.

Sliding Sands Trail

Looking back at the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island as we climbed out of the crater.

All pau

Back at the trailhead!

Post hike meal

We had our last meal on the island on our drive down from the crater. Military discount?

GPS Tracks

Our crater hike covered just shy of 13 miles with a fun group. Thanks to Ferlino for renting and driving the car around the island and Chico for renting the airbnb. Much to our dismay, we found out our return flight was delayed to the point of the being the last flight out of Maui, until Mari spoke to the gate agent and got us on the earlier flight that was set to close the boarding doors. Thanks Mari!

Photos taken by Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Mari Saito, Sandra Walters, 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.

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.

Aida, Matt, Quan, Tessa and myself flew to Maui to hike across a dormant shield volcano and drive on the highway to heaven, since the stairway is reputedly slated to be torn down.

Lahaina Pali

Our accommodation for the night. Forget ocean views, we had beach views.

Haleakala

We woke up early the next morning and broke down the Jeep and then tried to get into the Haleakala National Park before 7am. Lack of a permit resulted in us watching the sunrise down the road. Try once, try twice and you’ll still get the same results. Shades of the goat whisperer.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

Group photo before Matt and I left to start our hike for the day, Quan along with Aida and Tessa would pick us up on the other side. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Starting our hike at over 9,000′ elevation.

Sliding Sands Trail

Making our way down into the massive depression that is roughly seven miles by two miles wide.

Sliding Sands Trail

Trying to pick out the volcanic landmarks from left to right: Ko’olau Gap, Waikau, Hanakauhi Peak, Pu’u Kumu, Pu’u o Maui, Kamohoalii, Pu’u Naue, Ka Moa o Pele, Paliku, Pu’u Maile, Kaupo Gap and Haleakala Peak.

Sliding Sands Trail

The trail wound its way down past the alpine desert colored with earthy pigmentation. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Matt losing part of the 2,400′ elevation descent to the floor.

‘ahinaahina

These dense balls of silvery green leaves with towering stalks that flower once and then scatter their seeds into the wind, used to carpet Haleakala until animals and visitors pushed them to the brink of extinction. The creation of Hawaii National Park in 1916 and later Haleakala National Park in 1961 helped to save the endemic silversword plants.

Sliding Sands Trail

Enjoying the short stretch of shaded corridor. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Somebody was keeping their hands warm or just playing pocket pool.

Sliding Sands Trail

Going down the switchbacks. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Nothing was dropped in the making of this photo. The real thing would come later. Sooner than one would think.

Sliding Sands Trail

Fall colors. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Only 1.9 more miles to the bathroom. For somebody, that couldn’t come fast enough. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Walking through a sea of bright red ‘ama’u ferns before they turn green. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Hikers coming and going.

Sliding Sands Trail

When nature calls, Matt answers. In a hurry.

Kapaloa Cabin

The nene or Hawaiian goose, are evolved from the Canadian goose that migrated here over 500,000 years ago. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kapaloa Cabin

We took a short break and enjoyed our first cabin stop near the Kaupo Gap. No vacancies. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Just 5.3 kilometers to our next stop. Trying to get out of the dark ages.

Sliding Sands Trail

Meeting other hikers on the trail. The start of somebody’s bad habit of talking to strange men.

Sliding Sands Trail

Hiking towards the eastern end of the wilderness valley. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

Matt stepping down the well marked trail.

Sliding Sands Trail

Looking across the sea of clouds; we could see the still active volcanoes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai on the Big Island.

Sliding Sands Trail

The state bird honking at us in its bovine croaking tones. One them was also missing the ubiquitous leg bands normally found on their species. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Sliding Sands Trail

We detoured off the main trail to head towards the last cabin(s) on our hike.

Paliku Cabin

Approaching the historic cabin at the base of a rain forest cliff. Locked up tighter than a drum. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Paliku Cabin

Checking out the park ranger’s cabin. Where is that Garden of Eden?

Paliku Cabin

In 1962, 35 nene from England and the Big Island were released in this area after having been extinct on Maui since the 1890s. Park rangers, naturalists and Boy Scouts carried them in whiskey boxes and hiked 9.8 miles to bring them back home. Group photo with two of the descendants, the geese can live up to 24 years. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

Walking down the section of trail covered with white fungus on the rocks. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

Passing through an open field. The faint trail would be temporarily lost until we saw a fluttering ribbon in the distance and picked up the trail again. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

A spider wrapping up one of three bees that it had caught in its web.

Kaupo Trail

Making our way down through the grassy fields. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

The gate marked the transition between the padded forest path with a hard and unyielding trail covered with loose gravel that could send one rolling on their back or butt if not careful. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

No bull sighted. Just grass fed Haleakala cows. The only sheep dogs we saw were locked up. No free roaming canines. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

Looking out towards the coastline broken up by the bays of Kamanawa and Mamalu. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

We continued on the rocky trail after our forward momentum was temporarily interrupted by two large sounding and very angry pigs in the grass. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

The gravel road was soon replaced by bushwhacking and not the nice kind either. Is there any good kind of bushwhacking? Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Trail

The not so fun portion of the hike involved finding the faint trail through all sorts of plants that did their best to poke and prod us in all the wrong places. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kaupo Ranch

Thanks to the girls for picking us up and not getting lost. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Trailhead

Group photo at the end of our hike. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kipahulu Campground

Dining on reconstituted food by headlamps off Highway 360. Quite the road trip experience. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

All pau

We turned in for the night with only the intermittent construction trucks passing on the road to disturb our sleep. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

GPS Tracks

Our volcanic hike covered 16 miles through an empty vast crater colored by oxidized pigmentation, textured by cinder cones and populated by endemic fauna and flora found nowhere else.

Video by Matt Vidaurri of our hike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujPXXAFhvRE

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.

We spent our last day on Maui hiking around the dormant volcano that is actually taller than Mount Everest. Tried getting sunrise permits, which were all out. That meant a couple hours of extra sleep for us.

Haleakala Highway

Sharing the road with bicyclists as we took the winding road up to the top.

Silversword

We entered the sprawling park for free, thanks to Matt and his military service and saw a small scattering of the ahinahina in its natural habitat, the adaptive plants reputedly once covered the slopes like snow back in the day.

Pu’u ‘ula’ula

Panoramic view from 10,023′ of the crater with her different colored landscape and cinder cones populating the floor. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Observatories

Closed to visitation. No stargazing for us today.

Chukar partridge

Just looking for that pear tree now.

Sliding Sands Trail

Matt attempting to introduce waterfalls to the volcanic landscape.

Keonehe’ehe’e Trail

We would not be sliding down this trail today, as Matt had asked the park rangers earlier what the weather forecast held in store. Not good was the answer. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Sliding Sands Trail

Group photo left to right: Matt, myself, Ferlino, Analyn and Cisco.

Haleakala National Park

Ferlino walking the line. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kalahaku Overlook

We stopped further down the road to gather another perspective of the crater. Ferlino getting some air time in the parking lot. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kalahaku Overlook

Watching the contrail clouds roll into the crater. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Kalahaku Overlook

Matt looking out towards the twin volcanoes of the Big Island.

Kalahaku Overlook

When the very thing you are looking for is right in your face. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Kalahaku Overlook

One last parting shot. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

Driving down the road, we somehow missed the Leleiwi Overlook and ended up in the parking lot for the Halemau’u Trail. Time to hike.

Halemau’u Trail

Making our way through the native shrubland, populated with nene, to the rim of the valley.

Halemau’u Trail

The group following the fence line until they regained the trail.

Halemau’u Trail

Standing on rainbow bridge, supposedly named more for the colorful plants that contrast with the volcanic rock than refracted light in the mist. Photo by Matt Vidaurri

Halemau’u Trail

Making our way down to the very clear and cloud free crater. I guess the park rangers must be related to Guy Hagi.

Halemau’u Trail

The trail zig zagged over 18 times down the 1,000’+ cliff.

Halemau’u Trail

The trail started with long and winding switchbacks which afforded us spectacular views of the crater and the surrounding walls. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

Perched atop a protruding lava rock. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

The switch backs became shorter as we approached the gated grassy field at the bottom.

Halemau’u Trail

Setting foot on the crater floor, with only a mile of hiking left to the cabin.

Halemau’u Trail

Approaching the cabin with no reservations, just good intentions.

Holua Cabin

Group photo left to right: Ferlino, Analyn, myself, Matt, Nene, Cisco and Nene.

Nene

No feeding of the photo bombers.

Halemau’u Trail

After a short lunch break, we headed off to explore the nearby lava tube.

Lava Tube

Not this one? Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lava Tube

This one. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lava Tube

Climbing down with out the assistance of a ladder. Photo by Matt Vidaurri.

Lava Tube

Illuminating our way as we headed deep into the lava tube.

Lava Tube

Group photo inside the cave.

Lava Tube

Climbing back up through the cavernous conduit that used to carry molten lava. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Lava Tube

Matt standing underneath the natural skylight.

Lava Tube

Exiting the lava tube after traveling almost 900′ underground. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.

Halemau’u Trail

Analyn basking in the lava field views. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

Halemau’u Trail

Time to pay the piper in terms of gaining all that elevation back that we had lost earlier.

Halemau’u Trail

One last photoshoot above the clouds. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

All pau

Making our way back to the car.

GPS Tracks

Our 12.3 mile hike above the clouds had us walking through native shrubland, switch backing down a steep cliff, and exploring the crater of a dormant volcano. Not a bad day. Post hike meal at Paradise Supermarket, home to the best Filipino food on the island. Thanks to Matt and the group for another fun filled weekend.

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.

Taking advantage of Island Air’s discounted fares, I hopped on a plane to Maui to see an old buddy, Everett, and hike into Haleakala Crater. On the way up, we stopped at Komoda Store and Bakery in Makawao, famous for their stick donuts, but they were on vacation!

Leaving the clouds behind

Going up the winding road to the summit, we gradually started to climb above the clouds as we passed scores of bicyclists going back down.

Pu'u Ula'ula

Standing at the top of Haleakala or Pu’u Ula’ula (Red Hill) at 10,023 feet. The skies were remarkably clear and the thin air was nice and crisp, didn’t even need my windbreaker. You can see the tops of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa of the Big Island poking up from the clouds in the distance.

Panoramic view from the summit

Click here to see the larger image.

Keonehe'ehe'e Trailhead

We drove down to the parking area where the trailhead was located at. There are restrooms to use before you start heading out on the trail, but be warned as the air is quite chilly up there and the seats are not heated!

Haleakala Crater

As we started down the trail into the crater, we could see the clouds slowly spilling into the rim.

Haleakala Silversword

We came across a bunch of Silversword plants that looked like they had just flowered and they were on their last buds, so to speak.

Haleakala - House of the Sun

In Hawaiian legend, this is where a local fisherman, Maui captured the sun and forced it to have longer days in the summer and shorter days in the winter.

Cinder cones

There are numerous cinder cones scattered on the crater floor, most of them are several hundred feet high.

Paniolo Nazi

“What are you doing?” This rhetorical question was repeated ad nauseum at two Australian tourists that had wandered off the trail by this paniolo (cowboy) guide that was leading a group of tourists down into the crater. He followed it up with threatening statements that it was a $500 fine, even though he is not a park ranger. The horse droppings do far more damage, as they have introduced alien grass and vegetation into the crater. After descending almost 2,000 feet into the crater, we turned around and started to head back up. The thin air and loose volcanic dirt, hence the name “Sliding Sands”, made one work a little harder on the return trip.

All pau

As we got back to the top of the trail, we could look back and see that the clouds had advanced further into the crater. On some days, the entire crater floor is covered in clouds, now that must make for an interesting hike. The next time I make it over here, I plan on hiking the other trail, Halemau’u and spending a night in one of the cabins which would give more time to explore the crater and the lava tubes.