Hike: Maui
Date: 6/14/98
With whom: Lesli
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Maui: Haleakala
Seven Sacred Pools, Waimoku Falls
Distance: miles roundtrip
Elevation:
The Seven Sacred Pools are located near Oheo Gulch, on the eastern side of Maui just past Hana. We, of course, were staying in Kaanapali
which is located on the western side of the island. There are no roads that cut across the island so it was a long drive
around the coastline. The road to Hana is a very famous 51-mile road with over 600 twists and turns and 56 one-lane bridges.
Fortunately, Lesli was kind enough to drive both ways, 3+ hours each way. As we drive to the eastern side of the island into the rainforest area
the area becomes increasingly lush due to the heavy rainfall.
We took a 2-mile hike up to to Waimoku Falls, a 200-ft. waterfall. This hike takes us past several of the sacred pools, of which there are actually a dozen.
This is a view of one of the pools and an early view of the falls. The trail took us through a beautiful bamboo forest which
is visible as it frames an early view of the falls.
This is a close up view of Waimoku Falls. From where I was standing to take this photograph, I am
actually beyond this sign that says not to go beyond that point because of falling rocks. I did
go ahead and stash my pack and run right up and into the waterfall for a brief moment before chickening
out. Let's just say the area at the bottom of the falls was littered with an abundance of rocks of
varying sizes.
This is one of the lower sacred pools. This pool ends up flowing directly into the ocean.
Because of all of the igneous rock, the sand on the beach of this outlet is a black. The
texture of rocks here was very obviously and distinctly volcanic.
The whole day had been mostly cloudy with intermittent spots of sunshine. On the way back to the car,
a very sudden and heavy downpour broke forth from the clouds in a futile attempt to soak me. Fortunately,
I was well prepared with a rain jacket.
Maui: Haleakala
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