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Off the beaten track on Maui

One of my favorite things to do on Maui (when I'm not at the beach) is to hike into Haleakala Crater. While getting up at 3 AM to see the sunrise at the top of the crater is a favorite of tourists, few actually venture down inside which is where the real beauty lies. I do this often and frequently stay overnight in 1 of 3 cabins reserved through the National Park Service. Here is a short pictorial overview to motivate those who haven't yet been inside. I suggest you add this to your "bucket list".

Looking down inside Haleakala Crater. So pretty that this one deserves a larger size. It's a real photo, not an artist's depiction.

Haleakala sunrise photo Sunrise from the summit

Trails in crater Trails keep you from getting lost and it protects what limited vegetation survives the climate.

Cabin inside Haleakala Cabin at the foot of the crater walls. Sleeping bunks for 12 plus wood heating stove and cookware. Reserve through the National Park Service for 1 night max. Yes, it's chilly at the 1 mile altitude.

Hawaiian Nene goose This pair of Nene were always hanging out in front of the cabin until my last trip when there was only one. Very sad since they mate for life.

Silversword Flowering Silversword is only found in Haleakala. Here it's flowering which it only does once before it dies

. This Silversword isn't flowering yet which is a good thing because once it does, it dies.

Come visit Maui and make sure to bring some warm clothing and hiking shoes! Aloha!

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Posted by Richard Dolbeare (RA), ABR, CRS, RSPS, BS/MS - Engineering Hawaii Dreams Today on 01/06/2009 02:45 PM

Comments (7)

Hiking on Maui in the ActiveRain Channel

haleakala, crater, maui, hawaii, things to do, kauairocks

This post has been included in Hawaii Information Maui County, HI Information

7 Comments on Off the beaten track on Maui

JAN

WOW! What a great outing. Looks like a lot of fun -- if I ever make it to Maui, I'll have to check this out! -- James Wirth

Great pictures, I have not hiked inside the crater. I have been to the observation point a few times.

Hi James & Randy-

The fun part is being down inside taking in the variations in scenery. There are actually smaller craters within the main crater. The not-so-fun part is hiking out since it's all uphill and one can get altitude sickness.

Aloha

JAN

Richard,

When I visit Maui you are so booking this for the night and you are taking me hiking! I want to see the real beauty that you are showing here.

I want to go beyond where the other tourists stop.

JAN

Richard,

This looks pretty cool. How long a hike is it. I live at 4500 feet in the Salt Lake Valley. I'm not sure you could ever get me off the beach. Great story, great pictures. Thanks

JAN

Todd- Hmmmm, enough people with your adventuresome spirit and maybe I could become a tour guide during this slow real estate period! Actually it's better just to do it as a fun thing and that's what it is. You haven't seen Maui if you haven't been into the crater. Give me a call when you come over.

Randy- I've started as late as 1 PM, hiked in, rested, and hiked out. But the best is to arrive around 6 am for sunrise and then hike down Sliding Sands trail. One could spend the entire day hiking around down there if you had the energy. Unless I have an overnight cabin reserved, I usually spend a half day or so. The summit is 2 miles high and the floor is somewhere around 1 mile up.

Aloha

JAN

Hey, Richard. Thanks for the mini-tour. That's pretty neat. I hesitate to admit that Hawaii is one of five states that I have not been to. Soon, I promise.

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