10,000 feet up from Maui's beautiful beaches lies a whole different world waiting to be explored by the adventurous and those looking to cool off a bit from the warmth of the resort life down below. A 15 minute drive from Kahului takes you to the start of the 28 mile, winding road up to the very top of Haleakala National Park. On your way up, you will find several great places to stop along the way and take in views of the Maui Valley, Kahului, Wailuku, Kihei, the island's sugar cane fields, the West Maui Mountains, Lanai, ocean and more. At many of the lookout points you will find a lot of great information on the formation of Maui and the history of Haleakala. Many tourists and locals alike enjoy an early escape to the top of Mt. Haleakala to watch the sunrise coming up over the east side of the crater. However, for those not wanting to wake up at 4AM, don't worry! Sunsets on Haleakala are just as breathtaking and are often less crowded then the mornings.
Typically a cloud layer forms at 5,000-7,000 feet but on clear days you can see the near 14,000 foot peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island. The view from the top also gives you a clear unimpeded view down into the crater and a plethora of colors from the rocks, sand, and plants as the sun's rays hit them just right. As the sun sets, the crater is lit up for a spectacular array of colors as shadows slowly engulf the ridge.
If you are looking for a way to remove yourself from the crowds of tourists and want to burn off some of the yummy vacation food you've had, then venturing onto the Haleakala's lightly traveled trail system is a great way to get a different perspective of this beautiful crater. For those who enjoy the outdoors and being one with nature, spending the night in the crater is an amazing experience as long as you are prepared for the cool nights. There are two different campsites you can obtain a permit for at the ranger station after watching a short orientation video about the wildlife, flora, and fauna of the crater. There are also three cabins which require advanced booking of about 6 months. All of these overnight camping sites are accessible only by trails that wind through the crater. Holua Campsite (6,940ft) is the closer of the two at 3.7 miles from Halemau'u Trailhead or 7.4 miles from the Sliding Sands Trailhead. Paliku Campsite (6,380ft) is a little more of a trek to get to at 10.4 miles from the Halemau'u trailhead and 9.3 miles from the Sliding Sands trailhead.
As you hike through the crater you will see many native Hawaiian plants that are only found at Haleakala. The are also many native species of birds such as the Un'u which is an endangered migratory seabird that nests in the walls of the crater. In the evening you can hear them coming in as they are very vocal with monkey like chatter as they settle in for the night. As the evening goes on and they become settled, your ears will begin to ring with the dead silence of the night. Nights in the crater can be a magical experience and are a real life planetarium if you get clear skies. Hawaii is a stargazing dream for astrology lovers. At this elevation you have clear air and little to no light pollution.
Whether you camp in the crater, hike the Haleakala trail system, or visit the visitor center/observatory at the top, you will experience something you have never seen before. Before heading to the top be sure you are prepared! Here are some tips for your trip to Haleakala:
1. STAY HYDRATED - Bring plenty of water, especially if you are hiking around. Being at elevation can cause you to become dehydrated quicker and there is a potential to suffer from altitude sickness. Hydration is a key to overcoming this.
2. SNACKS - Since there is nowhere to purchase food at the top, bring something to nibble on.
3. PROTECT YOUR SKIN - Sun exposure is greater at elevation and therefore it is much easy to get a sunburn on Haleakala. Make sure you wear sunscreen and a hat.
4. LAYERS - The weather on Haleakala is unpredictable so dressing in layers and being prepared for cooler temperatures, especially for sunrise and sunset, is key to getting the most out of your visit.