Hiking at 10,000 feet in Haleakala
Written by Vacation Idea.com Travel Editors.
The scenery near the summit is incredible, complete with cindercones, volcanic rock and native plants. The crater area is huge: 3,000 feet deep, 7.5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide. The summit area of Haleakala National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails, ranging from 10-minute walks to overnight trips.
What We Liked Best
We followed the Sliding Sands Trail for about 45 minutes down into the crater. The views were just incredible. There were huge cindercones in the distance and the sun reflected off the sand which varied in color from different shades of red to pitch black. We could see the famous Hawaiian silverswords dotting the landscape, as well as a few other bushes and native plants.
The Challenge
At the elevation of 10,000 feet, hiking is very strenuous unless you are used
to the high altitude. We also noticed that the air was very dry and were grateful
for the extra water we packed when planning the hike. The way back up the Sliding
Sands Trail took almost twice as long as heading down and the strain of hiking
at high elevation was even more noticeable hiking up the mountain.
How to Prepare
In addition to water and sunscreen, pack some warm clothing because the weather
can change quite rapidly from sunny to rainy and foggy. It's a good idea to
bring some food with you since there is no food sold in the park.
Before heading out, stop at the Headquarters Visitor Center or at the Haleakala Visitor Center to pick up a trail map and ask about guided hikes which are sometimes offered.
Read more about visiting Haleakala National Park on Maui.
