We took advantage of the gorgeous clear weather yesterday, and hit Haleakala crater for a long,overdue hike.We chose to hike an 11.2 mile trail that starts at the Visitor Center at Sliding Sand trail head, and ends at Halemauu trail head. To accomplish that, we parked our car at our end point (Halemauu trail head), and hitchhiked to the summit(about 6 miles uphill). From Halemauu parking lot, there is a short trail to a hikers pick up point, where it is easy for cars to pull up and pick up hikers. It is a common hiking route, and there is normally no problem getting a ride. The couple that picked us up were celebrating her birthday and she took a photo with us because she said we were part of her birthday celebration.
Sliding sand trail head starts from the summit visitor center at 9740 feet. We were hiking in multicolored cinder cones desert, on soft sands, and all down hill for about six miles of the hike. This part of the hike is easy, and the feeling is magical! I have described it before as walking on the moon, and I can't think of a better description. The soft sand, the cones, the hanging clouds, the contrasting colors and textures give me an out of earth feeling.
After the six or seven miles, we were on Halemauu trail and the terrain changes to a sort of rocky shrub land. For about a mile or two, the shrub land is mainly flat, but the scenery is anything but flat. We were surrounded by cinder cones and mountain cliffs, and at some point we were inside a cloud forest. The views were absolutely spectacular! At that point, we were at 6940 feet elevation, and for the last couple miles, we were on an upward switchback journey,in a beautiful shrub mountain, to get to 7990 feet elevation at the trail head parking lot to complete our 11.2 mile hike.It took us a little less than six hours for the hike, and we were feeling good tired by the time we got to the car.A fabulous way to spend a day in paradise!
We took over a hundred photos, here are a few:
For more information about Haleakala hikes, check out Haleakala National Park website.
For a related post, check out Walking on the Moon:Majestic Haleakala.
Comments (7)
Hi Candi, sounds like a fantastic hike. I read your description of what you saw before I scrolled down to your photos. Perfect description. The colors and clouds over the peaks . . . very beautiful.
Thanks so much for sharing your hiking experience and providing the informative links. You took a lot of great photos!
Have a great 4th of July tomorrow!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | July 3, 2009 6:18 AM
Posted on July 3, 2009 06:18
wow -that is amazing! Love the photos, post more, love them! All of the colors are so incredible. You are very lucky to be able to go there..
Was it really hot though???
Posted by expatraveler | July 3, 2009 9:37 PM
Posted on July 3, 2009 21:37
Kathy, it was so beautiful and exotic.
expatraveler,the volcano is on 10,000 feet elevation, so the summit is cold actually,but as we were getting down and some parts were hot when blocked from the breeze. Overall, I had long hiking pants and light jacket and I was comfortable. Definitely not as hot as the shore on Maui.
Posted by candi | July 3, 2009 10:12 PM
Posted on July 3, 2009 22:12
Great shots. My husband is going to be so envious. He has wanted to see the silver sword for a long while. It looks like a great hike. Thanks for taking us along with your wonderful photos.
Posted by Marta | July 4, 2009 11:03 PM
Posted on July 4, 2009 23:03
Astonishing. Man, I do need to get to Hawaii some day.
Posted by Amy | July 5, 2009 9:00 AM
Posted on July 5, 2009 09:00
What a range of different landscapes, your photos are fabulous, Candi!
As Amy says, I really need to visit Hawaii!
Posted by sandrac | July 6, 2009 3:08 PM
Posted on July 6, 2009 15:08
Cool silversword photo! I have wanted to do this hike! Great photos!! I have hiked inside the crater once starting I think from the Helemaumau side - hiking to the cabins and then back.
Posted by girasoli | August 24, 2009 2:22 AM
Posted on August 24, 2009 02:22