01_06-17_10 Dave hikes the Haleakala Crater

Dave here. For our last day on Maui, we drove to the summit of Haleakala (elevation 10,023') where I left for a 11.5 mile hike down into the volcano crater, across the bottom, and up and out the other side.

Callie would the visit the various overlooks and forest groves in search of birds and views while I hiked the scruffy lunar landscape of the crater.

I estimated that that the hike would take about five hours (the book says 10 hours!) so we planned to rendezvous at the outpoint trail head at that time.

The first part of the hike descends 3,500' to the bottom of the crater. I lost 98% of the other tourist/hikers at the first side trail. After that, I only saw three other people in the crater. More people became visible near the end - they were hiking in from the end of the hike for a view.

Hiking in the crater was interesting but very desolate. The word 'lunar' keeps coming to mind. I only saw three birds - and no other animals in ten miles of hiking. I was lucky enough to see two of the elusive and rare Nene Geese on the crater floor near some sparse vegetation (see the bird post for photos of these birds).

The hike was scenic but with loose, dusty and rocky footing. I see now why it is called the "Sliding Sands Trail".

One cool plant I saw was the Silversword. According to Wikipedia: The silversword in general is referred to as ʻāhinahina in Hawaiian (literally, "very gray"), and it has been a threatened species according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife service since May 15, 1922. Excessive grazing by cattle and goats and vandalism inflicted by people in the 1920s caused near extinction of the Haleakalā silversword. The plant has been strictly monitored and protected by the government since and is considered a successful conservation story, although threat to the species remain. This plant is only found on the island of Maui in Haleakalā National Park at an elevation of 2,100 to 3,000 m on the Haleakalā summit depression, the rim summits, and surrounding slopes of the dormant Haleakalā volcano.

Enjoy the photos!

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