Haleakalā National Park

Welcome to Haleakalā National Park, a place known in the Hawaiian tongue as the House of the Sun. As a geologist and eager traveler, I find myself deeply humbled standing before this gargantuan shield volcano. …

The journey up Haleakalā is an adventure unto itself, a serpentine climb that challenges both driver and vehicle. Ascending from the coastal warmth of Central Maui up a narrow, winding road, we navigate a dizzying series of…

We have arrived at the pinnacle, standing at ten thousand twenty-three feet above sea level at the very summit of Haleakalā. Here, high above the clouds, one can partake in what many consider to be a profoundly spiritual…

Moving away from the highest peak, we approach the rim, where the true scale of Haleakalā reveals itself. Before us lies the immense Haleakalā Crater, an absolutely massive depression that is both awe-inspiring and slightly…

For those who wish to step off the rim and physically immerse themselves in this lunar landscape, the Keonehe'ehe'e Trail, commonly known as the Sliding Sands Trail, provides a gateway into the abyss. Originating near the visitor…

We now shift our focus dramatically, leaving the stark, freezing heights of the summit to explore the park's lower, eastern flank: the lush, tropical Kipahulu District. To travel between these two sections requires descending the…

Let us begin our exploration of the Kipahulu District with a relatively short but deeply rewarding walk along the Kuloa Point Trail. This half-mile, generally flat loop leads us toward the ocean and provides stunning vantage…

For a more immersive jungle experience, we embark on the Pipiwai Trail, undoubtedly one of the most magnificent hikes in all of the national park system. This trail is roughly two miles out and two miles back, climbing…

As we conclude our extensive journey through Haleakalā National Park, let us pause to reflect on the staggering diversity we have witnessed. From the freezing, oxygen-deprived summit where we gazed into an ancient, multi-colored…