Like many other folks, I imagine, the island of Maui in Hawaii is my favorite place on the planet - at least I haven't visited another spot that speaks to me in the same way the Valley Isle does (the Big Island and Kauai are close, though!). Although I live on the mainland (Minnesota, if you must), I've had the great fortune of visiting Maui many times and spending much time on the island. I don't do all of the same things every single time I visit, but one thing that I've been compelled to do each time is to make the trip to the summit of Haleakala volcano. The centerpiece and eponym of Haleakala National Park in Hawaii, the trip from sea level to the 10,000-foot-plus summit is an amazing experience that's a little different every time I make it.
On my most recent visit, I stayed in Paia town.
From my Airbnb off Baldwin, I could walk a few feet and look out over the surf at Sprecklesville. Although it was in the opposite direction, on the morning of my Haleakala summit trip, I stopped by Baldwin Beach to get a closer look.
Then I headed for my favorite breakfast spot on this side of the island.
I love a good diner, and Tasty Crust in Wailuku has been serving up diner classics and local favorites since the 1940s.
I toyed with the idea of another loco moco (I'd already had a couple on the trip), but decided to go a little lighter, so I got a veggie omelet - with plenty of hash browns and toast, of course.
I was not disappointed - but I was on a mission, so I grabbed a coffee to go and hit the road.
Back in Kihei, I hit the Haleakala Highway and headed for the summit.
From sea level at Kihei, I climbed about 3,000 feet to Kula and Hawaii State Highway 378.
The drive from sea level to the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakala can be made in less than two hours, making it one of the fastest possible ascents of this height on the planet.
It also means that you pass through several incredible ecosystems on the way.
After you turn off the Haleakala Highway and leave the tropical and temperate forests behind, keep your eyes out for pueo - Hawaiian short-eared owls.
These endangered birds hunt the grasslands for the invasive mongoose that were introduced to the islands in the 1800s.
As you approach the park entrance, you'll notice more trees and thicker vegetation.
This is the cloud belt that lies between the Maui upcountry and the rugged, barren summit of the volcano.
Just past the entrance, I took a left and stretched my legs on a hike along the nature trail at Hosmer Grove campground.
There, I was lucky to see a few i'iwi and other species of honeycreepers endemic to the islands.
Hosmer Grove offers a protected habitat for many of Hawaii's native birds, a large percentage of which are endangered by habitat loss and predation from non-native species, like feral cats and mongoose.
At about 7,000 feet, I made it to the park's main visitor center, which was open until 4:00 p.m.
There, I picked up a map, got my park passport stamped, and asked the rangers about what they'd been seeing in the park. There is another visitor center at the summit, itself, but it closes at noon - after the sunrise rush has subsided.
It was nesting season for the nene, so the rangers let me know to be especially careful as I drove up the summit.
This endemic species of goose is the Hawaii state bird, and it's also endangered.
Haleakala National Park in Hawaii is one of the nene's last remaining strongholds.
It's also one of the few places on Earth where the amazing silversword grows. This is yet another species that the park protects - it's truly amazing at all the diversity you can find on the shoulders of this beautiful volcano.
The switchbacked drive to from the first visitor center to the summit is even steeper and considerably more barren.
As I approach the astronomical observatories at the peak, it always feels like I'm ascending an alien landscape.
Once at the top, the dormant crater looks like a panorama of mars.
On a clear day, though, you can see the Pacific, the Big Island, Molokini Crater, the West Maui Mountains and much more from the summit.
This time, I was above the clouds and waited with a crowd of other folks - the summit parking lots were packed - as the sun slipped down below the cotton candy sky and left us in a world of purple and planets and stars started to appear above us.
I went up to the summit for sunset, but I should note that sunrise is even more popular. So much so, in fact, that you must obtain a reservation from Recreation.gov to enter the Summit District before 7 a.m. I have been up there for sunrise, and it's beautiful, but I have to say that I prefer the more laid-back climb up the volcano for sunset. Even as I write this, I find myself longing to go back and make that climb, again. I'm sure I'll do it soon enough - and you should definitely add it to your bucket list if you haven't already.
Have you visited the Summit District at Haleakala National Park in Hawaii? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments!
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