Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [339]
HALEAKALĀ NATIONAL PARK
With its eye-popping moonscapes, Haleakalā’s like no other place in the national park system. Whether you come for sunrise, or come at the height of the day, by all means get yourself here. You simply haven’t seen Maui, or at least looked into its soul, until you’ve made the trek up to the top of this awe-inspiring mountain. Its appeal is magnetic: ancient Hawaiians came to the summit to worship, Mark Twain praised its healing solitude, and visitors of all walks still find mystic experiences here.
Lookouts on the crater’s rim provide breathtaking views of Haleakalā’s volcanic surface. But there’s a lot more to Haleakalā than just peering down from on high. With a pair of hiking boots you can walk down into the crater on crunchy trails that meander around cinder cones. Or saddle up and mosey down onto the crater floor on horseback. For the ultimate adventure, bring a sleeping bag and spend the night.
Haleakalā National Park stretches from the summit here all the way down to the pools of ′Ohe′o Gulch in the park’s Kipahulu section south of Hana. There are separate entrances to both sections of the park, but there’s no passage between them. What follows details the summit area of the park; for information on the Kipahulu section, Click here.
INFORMATION
Haleakalā National Park (www.nps.gov/hale; 3-day entry pass per car $10, per person on foot, bicycle or motorcycle $5) never closes, and the pay booth at the park entrance opens before dawn to welcome the sunrise crowd. If you plan several trips, or are going on to the Big Island, consider buying an annual pass ($25), which covers all of Hawaii’s national parks.
The Park Headquarters Visitor Center ( 572-4400; 8am-4pm), less than a mile beyond the entrance, is the place to pick up brochures, buy nature books and get camping permits. You can also call ahead for recorded information on activities. There are no views at park headquarters; this is simply an information and rest-room stop. So once you’ve taken care of your more earthly needs, hop back into the car and continue on to reach the real wonders.
No food is sold anywhere in the park, though there are drinking fountains at the Park Headquarters Visitor Center. Be sure to bring something to eat if you’re going up for the sunrise; you don’t want a growling stomach to send you back down the mountain before you’ve had a chance to explore the sights.
It’s a good idea to check weather conditions ( 866-944-5025) before driving up, as it’s not uncommon for it to be cloudy at Haleakalā when it’s clear on the coast. Or go straight to the crater webcam at Haleakalā Crater Live Camera (http://koa.ifa.ha waii.edu/crater).
Maps
National Geographic’s Haleakalā National Park Illustrated Trail Map makes the perfect companion for hikers, showing elevations and other useful features on the routes. It’s waterproof and can be purchased at Haleakalā Visitor Center (Click here) for $10.
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
The weather at Haleakalā can change suddenly from dry, hot conditions to cold, windswept rain. Although the general rule is sunny in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon, fog and clouds can blow in at any time, and the windchill can quickly drop below freezing. Dress in layers and bring extra clothing; don’t even think of coming up without a jacket.
At 10,000ft the air is relatively thin, so expect to tire more quickly, particularly if you’re hiking. The higher elevation also means that sunburn is more likely.
SIGHTS
For info on Haleakalā Crater Rd, Click here.
Hosmer Grove
Hosmer Grove, off a side road just after the park’s entrance booth, is primarily visited by campers and picnickers, but it’s well worth a stop for its half-mile loop trail (Click here) that begins at the edge of the campground (Click here). The