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Haleakala National Park Trails - 2 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 4.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Oct 24 2023
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 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Haleakala Sliding Sands ShuttleMaui, HI
Haleakala Sliding Sands Shuttle
Maui, HI
Hiking avatar Oct 24 2023
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking12.55 Miles 1,785 AEG
Hiking12.55 Miles   5 Hrs      2.63 mph
1,785 ft AEG      14 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Haleakala National Park Trails
Halemauu Trail
Haleakala Sunrise - Kalahaku Overlook
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
After watching the sunrise at the Kalahaku Overlook, 2 miles down the hill, we drove up to the summit where we checked out the visitor center. Deb then dropped me off at the Sliding Sands Trailhead to begin my hike. Later, she would be waiting for me at the Halemauu Trailhead further down the hill.

It was still cold and extremely windy. About a mile down the trail, I was able to shed my jacket and switch to shorts. The extent of the wind can be seen in some of my early photos. This hike was quite different from the other hikes I'd done on the islands. The landscape is both stark and beautiful at the same time.

Four miles down, I veered off the Sliding Sands Trail onto the Ka Moa O Pele Trail and made my way to Kawilinau, often referred to as the "Bottomless Pit." At 65 feet deep, it's not actually bottomless.

The flatter areas of the trails tend to collect sand, which can become tiresome to walk in after a while. The rest of the trail was typically hard-packed or rocky and was easy to hike on.

The next stop was the Holua Cabin, where I had a conversation with a couple who had spent the night there. They were both from Argentina. There are three cabins in the crater, and this one is the most popular because it is the shortest hike to reach. Cabins cost $75 per night and can accommodate 12 people in bunks.

Now, for the final push and the 1400-foot climb out of the crater. There are numerous switchbacks on the way out. My timing was pretty good as the cloud cover from lower elevations started to rise and provided some welcome cool, moist shade. I also enjoyed more breathtaking views as I climbed out.

The climb out in the clouds
[ youtube video ]
[ youtube video ]
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Silversword
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Chukar
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Oct 13 2016
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 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Haleakala National Park TrailsMaui, HI
Haleakala National Park Trails
Maui, HI
Hiking avatar Oct 13 2016
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking2.96 Miles 197 AEG
Hiking2.96 Miles
197 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Day 4 of the honeymoon and we wanted to see the sunrise up here. Man, the drive up, followed by the line to get in, is pretty obnoxious. I was driving and thankfully didn't feel too sick. The wife (holy crap it is weird calling her that), unfortunately, didn't fare as well in the front seat of the Jeep. By the time we made the park entrance she was ready to hurl. With her being born and raised in the Valley, she doesn't deal well with cold temps. I garnered quite a few stares as I removed my shell layer to give her my insulating layer. It was surprisingly not too bad temp wise; low 50's according to the Jeep gauge. The wind, however, was incredibly strong.

Waiting for the sun to crest the horizon was fun and then we dotted around the place exploring a tad. It has been the most scenic part of Maui thus far for us. I definitely recommend it if you are out this way.
_____________________
 
May 19 2013
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 Guides 1
 Routes 54
 Photos 843
 Triplogs 189

37 female
 Joined Jan 21 2013
 Delafield, WI
Haleakala National Park TrailsMaui, HI
Haleakala National Park Trails
Maui, HI
Hiking avatar May 19 2013
zukerrach • Triplogs 189
Hiking18.60 Miles 3,966 AEG
Hiking18.60 Miles
3,966 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Halemauu Trail
Partners none no partners
This was the only hike on my "must-do" list for Maui-- Jared and I drove up to the Haleakala visitor center around noon to get our overnight permit, where we were quickly informed that "everyone" hikes out of the crater to the lower visitor center (it's at about 7000ft elevation, vs 9700 at the higher one that I had planned to hike out to). After assuring the rangers that we'd be just fine with our planned route, and watching a lengthy "leave no trace" video, we were on our way!

We were met with amazing views right from the start. It had been described to us as being similar to being on the moon, which I whole-heartedly agree with! We took the Sliding Sands (Keonehe'ehe'e) Trail down into the crater, and then took a detour around some cinder cones on the crater floor via the Halemau'u Trail, which eventually reconnected with the Sliding Sands Trail shortly before reaching the Paliku campsite, where we spent the night. There was a ton of fog for most of the hike down, and it was raining on and off the whole time (fun!!). We ended up setting up camp in the rain, which was an adventure! Luckily the folks staying at the cabin nearby were kind enough to let us hang our wet clothes under their porch, and they even tried to dry our shoes next to their oven!

We woke up at around 3am, and managed to spend 3 hours making breakfast/packing up and generally just procrastinating before starting the hike back out. The final ascent was rough but manageable, and we were able to see a lot more than we had seen on the way down, since most of the fog had cleared out. Although it was only 11 when we reached the top, we agreed that most of the items on the agenda for the rest of the day would have to wait for another trip; instead we just stopped at a pineapple winery (yum!), and found a pretty beach to relax (and watch 3 wedding ceremonies) at for the remainder of the afternoon. :]
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Silversword
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Pahoehoe Lava
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Kawilinau
_____________________
 
Oct 05 2011
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 Routes 69
 Photos 3,135
 Triplogs 1,852

72 male
 Joined Jul 24 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Haleakala National Park TrailsMaui, HI
Haleakala National Park Trails
Maui, HI
Hiking avatar Oct 05 2011
trailzrus • Triplogs 1,852
Hiking0.77 Miles
Hiking0.77 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Chukar
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.63 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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