Haleakala. “House of the Sun” and it is easy to see how this massive crater got its name. Located of the island of Maui, Haleakala covers close to 75% of the island, and makes up the majority of the east side of the island. At an elevation over 10,000 ft, many days atop this dormant volcano is spent above the clouds.
The drive to the top of Haleakala can take up over two hours but is full of stunning views as the landscape goes from the lush greens of Maui to a Mars like landscape of the former lava flows from this mighty shield volcano.
The drive winds through rolling country hills as you ascend up into he lightly fluffy clouds. Some mornings and evenings, the fog blankets the land. It is widely suggested that the best times to enjoy the summit is sunrise or sunset but be sure to bring a jacket as the high elevation proves to be a chilly experience. The average temperature is only 54F (12C for my meteric Steemers). Throughout the drive, there are great turn outs, and if you are lucky, you might be able to get glimpses of the entire island of Maui below, and some other islands such as Molokai and Lanai in the distance.
As you enter The Haleakala National Park, you will begin to see the landscape change to a combination of blacks, burnt orange, reds, and browns. Keep on the lookout for a Nēnē Goose that calls the park home.
When you arrive at the visitor center, you will sit at 9,740 ft. Looking out across the vast caldera that is close to 7 miles wide and over 2,500ft deep, you can’t help but feel that you have been transported to another planet. The gorgeous colors are enriched as the sun rays sweep across the cinder cones and steep cliffs of the massive caldera.
As sunset approaches, I found my way over to the summit, across from the visitor center. The clouds form a beautiful pillow as the sun lays down for the night and makes way for the glowing moon over this unearthly landscape. This is a spiritual experience. Viewing this work of the Hawaiian Gods will leave you in awe. The colors are amplified with the contrast of the fluffy white clouds laying on the ground, the red and orange sunrays bounce of the land that has been craved from one of nature’s greatest forces, the volcano of Haleakala. While the last eruption was in 1790, this dormant volcano’s power is on display all around you. The cinder cones of the caldera, the endless lava fields all around, brings home the energy and power that she possess.
As I write this entry, I am taken back to the sunset on Haleakala and can truly say that words and pictures will never explain the moving experience that happens here. The sheer beauty and power of nature all around you gives off an energy that can not compare.
The moon rises over the Caldera.
On the drive back down from the Volcano we caught sunset meeting night, with the moon rising over the summit.
Haleakala is beautiful is a non conventional way. The colors and landscape is something unlike anything as have ever found in all my travels. The experience of sunset surrounded by this awe striking landscape is not to be missed for any traveler that makes their way to the Hawaiian islands.
Mahalo for joining me of my travels across the Hawaiian islands and letting me share my experiences! Up next we continue our journey exploring this beautiful chain of islands!