Maui_Hiking

Haleakala National Park

Strenuous

Haleakala National Park
Covering 33 square miles, Haleakala is the world's largest dormant volcano. Note; scientists do not consider it extinct. It is home to many species unique to Hawaii including the silversword, which resembles a yucca, and the state bird the nene. On the slopes you can also spot ring-necked pheasants. Once down inside "The House of The Sun" you will hike through a landscape that resembles the surface of the moon. The trade winds that blow predominately from east to west across the island, and carrying huge amounts of rainfall, shape the character of Haleakala. On the west side where the road crests the summit the landscape is desert like. On the far side, a mere ten-mile walk away, is a rain forest environment.

CAUTION: Bring your warm clothes! The average high at the summit is only about 55 degrees, and that's in the summer. Also, do not ascend here if you have been SCUBA diving in the last 24 hours, this is no different than flying! Drink LOTS of water as you dehydrate quickly at altitude. This will help prevent altitude sickness too. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Day hikes are strenuous to say the least and recommended only for those in top condition and experienced with high altitude. It's 2000 vertical feet to the floor of the valley, so it's 2000 feet back up. Plan about twice as long to get back to the summit as it took you to get down. Carry lots of water, the closest refill is six miles away at Kapalaoa cabin. I would recommend about a gallon per person if you are not going to refill.

If you can arrange it a backpacking or overnight cabin trip in Haleakala is an experience like no other. Camping permits are picked up at the park headquarters on the day of departure. There are two camping areas at Holua and Paliku. It's a two-night limit in each site, three-night limit in the crater. An excellent trip is from the summit to Paliku, 10 miles, then spend a night. The next day is an easy and flat ten miles to Holua for night two. On the way you will pass such sights as the bottomless pit and Pele's Paint Pot. It's said that ancient Hawaiians hid the umbilical cords of their newborns in the bottomless pit to keep the rats from getting them. The belief was that if rats ate the umbilical cord the child would become a thief. Finally, hike out the Haleamauu trail, a steep but quick four miles back to the road. To save on the checked baggage coming over camping equipment can be rented at Base Camp in Makawao, 808-573-2267.

The chances of getting a cabin in Haleakala are slim but here is the information. Cost is $40/night.
Haleakala National Park
Attention: Cabins
PO Box 369
Makawao, HI 96768
808-572-4400

Wai'anapanapa State Park

Wai'anapanapa State Park
Spend some time in Hana. If you want to feel like you are relaxed like never before, that you got to experience "the other Hawaii", and you got your money's worth out of the trip then spend a few days here. The best place to stay in Hana is the Wai'anapanapa state park. The camping is free and the grass is soft. There are bathrooms, showers water and tables. There are also fully equipped cabins with cooking facilities, just bring food. The cabins cost about $45/night. For reservations call the State Parks Department 808-984-8109. One note of caution: be sure to keep your food in an ice chest and get everything put away by dark. Why, you ask? That is so the amazingly large cockroaches don't eat everything. Seriously, they ate right through our neighbor's plastic bread bag and devoured the entire loaf in just a couple of hours. They are pretty harmless if you keep things clean and don't stand under any trees after dark, as they like to drop on your head. One unsuspecting tour group pulled in to camp around dusk one night. It was growing dark as they prepared dinner. The group that had been hanging out the last couple of days sat back and waited for the fun. Sure enough, as it got just dark enough to barely see the screaming began! The women ran for the vans and the dudes tried to kill them all. Way too many for that. Never did find out if they ever got to eat that night.

Near the camping area is a cave filled with fresh water and delightful on a hot day. Also at Wai'anapanapa is the only black sand beach on Maui.

Seven Sacred Pools

DON'T MISS

You have probably heard of the Seven Sacred Pools. They are as good as the legend. The Hawaiian name is Ohe'o but anyone can tell you how to get to the Seven Pools. If you are not familiar this valley is a series of waterfalls and pools with a sublime water temperature. Pick your pool, pick your fall, bring a picnic and it's a perfect day in paradise!

Waimoku Falls

Easy hike near Hana

Waimoku Falls
About a football field past the bridge over the seven pools is a gate across a jeep road. This road will lead you past the upper pools, a spectacular view. It's about two miles to the falls and the trail winds through a bamboo forest, past some ruins of a taro factory and across the stream several times. Be careful of the slippery rocks. The reward is a dip under the spectacular falls and perhaps a ripe guava along the way.

Waikamoi Ridge

Easy hike near Hana

Waikamoi Ridge
About halfway between Pa'ia and Hana you will see a sign for Waikamoi Ridge. This is an easy hike to take the family on. There are picnic tables at each end of the trail and a large variety of plant life. Two overlooks provide views and you are treated to a waterfall at the end, less than a mile from the parking lot. This is an great place to get the family out of the car and see some of the "natural Hawaii".

Maui - the Valley Isle