Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Haleakala can be crowded at sunrise, but it's nearly empty at sunset.
Headquarters and Hosmer's Grove
Admission to Haleakala National Park ( www.nps.gov/hale ) is $10 per car, $5 for bikers,
hikers, and motorcycles, but it is good for three days. If you're driving up here for sunrise,
you're going to want to drive straight to the summit to catch the show. If you're meander-
ing up the mountain during the middle of the day (or are on your way up for sunset), take
a side trip to Hosmer's Grove, a densely forested swath of hillside where an early 20th-
century forester by the name of Ralph Hosmer experimented with over 80 species of non-
native timber in hopes of kick-starting the island's lumber industry. Though the 20 species
that survived created a densely forested grove, they also invaded the hillside and destroyed
the native foliage. Park rangers now work hard to keep the invasive grove in check. There
is an enjoyable 0.5-mile nature hike and a campground for visitors who are just passing
through. To reach Hosmer's Grove, make a left on a short access road just after entering
the park.
Continuing straight past the Hosmer's Grove turnoff you'll soon arrive at park
headquarters (808/572-4400, daily 7am-3:45pm) at an elevation of 6,800 feet. Campers
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