Hike: Maui

Date(s): 6/16/98
With whom: solo

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Haleakela

Distance: 13+ miles roundtrip
Elevation: 10,000' to 7000'

The highest point of Haleakala is 10,023 ft at the lip of the crater. To get there, I had to drive from a few feet above sea level to this elevation. This drive probably took less than 90 minutes so this elevation gain was very rapid. When I stepped out of the car at the parking lot, the elevation was already affecting me and I felt a bit light headed. At 10,000 ft., the air has one third less oxygen available.

I wasn't exactly sure of of the route I was going to take (it would turn out to be 13-15 miles) because I knew I was going to need to be flexible because of the conditions. In addition to the elevation, it was mostly sunny so it was going to be plenty hot. There is not any water available in the crater so I had to carry it all in. At 2 lbs for every liter of water, I was carrying 9lbs. in water alone.

Fortunately, it is cooler at elevation by 2-3 degrees for every 1000 ft. This was a good thing, but the tradeoff is that the intensity of UV is also 4% stronger for each 1000 ft. gain. I was foolish and did not put on any sunscreen right away.

This hike is a bit different than most hikes because you start out at the highest point and then hike down into the crater - a 3300ft. drop. The big disadvantage to this is that on the return, when you are most tired, you need to hike the toughest part - uphill, at elevation, in the heat of the day.

It was disappointingly a bit cloudy that day. The views into the crater when it is clear are supposed to be spectacular. Even so, a few clouds can't mask the amazing sights of Haleakala. To the left is an early view into the crater. You can see many of the cinder cones within the crater. Some of these cinder cones are several hundred feet high.

As I was hiking this section, I ate my first Clif Bar, berry flavored. I always stock up on Clif Bars and other energy bars and always have a good selection. As I was eating this one, it tasted just a little funny, but I kept eating. About halfway through the bar, I look a little more closely at it and discovered that it had a bunch of white fuzz - mold! Not a good omen.

To the right is a picture from further down into the crater looking up to the lip of the crater. The moon is visible peeking over the lip and into the crater. The terrain here was very rocky and dusty, as would be the rest of the trail.

Here is a good overhead view of the silversword plant. These dotted the area around the early part of the trail. The ranger at the visitor center had mentioned that some of them were in bloom. He also told me the Hawaiian name for the silversword plant which sounded much more elegant, but much harder (for me at least!) to remember.

Walking on the crater floor was like walking on the moon. The terrain was so
foreign (but fascinating!) to me due to all of the igneous formations.

Some of the rocks and dirt on the trail had striking colorations. Here are some red and yellow colorations.

By this point, the sun is very hot and strong. I finally decide to slap on some suntan lotion, but it will prove to be too late.

This is the one cinder cone that you can hike up to and around the rim. The size is very deceiving here. The cinder cone is 100s of feet across. There is actually a person standing right by the point where the trail comes up to the cone.