Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
can get their permits here, and others can stop for information concerning the park, gifts,
water, or to use the toilet or pay phone. There are some 'ahinahina (silversword) plants
outside, and a few nene can occasionally be seen wandering the area.
After you pass the park headquarters and zig and zag a couple more times, there's park-
ing for another hiking option: Halemau'u Trail. Following that are two overlooks, Leleiwi
and Kalahaku, both offering tremendous views and different perspectives looking down
into the crater basin.
BRRRRR...
On any given morning at the top of Haleakala there always seems to be at least
one unfortunate person shivering away in a tank top and boardshorts. People forget
that Haleakala tops out at over 10,000 feet, which means that even though this is
the tropics, the temperature can often be 30° colder than at sea level. Even though
Haleakala is “The House of the Sun,” the early morning windchill-particularly in
the winter-will often be below freezing, and about every five years or so Haleak-
ala will get a dump of snow (2-5 inches) that sticks around for a couple of days.
Whenever it snows on Haleakala, the road to the top is usually closed due to ice,
and when it reopens, hundreds of locals rush to the summit to build snowmen and
take pictures with their children.
During most mornings, however, the temperature will only be in the lower 40s,
but when combined with 30 mph wind gusts, that can warrant the use of gloves, a
beanie, a windbreaker, and a couple of jackets. On rare mornings when the wind is
light, you could probably get away with a long-sleeve shirt and jeans, but it's better
to pack accordingly, lest you be the person sitting in the parking lot with the heater
on while everyone else is getting pictures of the sunrise. By midmorning the tem-
perature is usually into the mid 60s, but any sunrise or sunset visitors should be pre-
pared to bundle up.
Visitors Center
Near road's end is the visitors center at an elevation of 9,740 feet. It's approximately 10
miles up the mountain from headquarters or about a 30-minute drive. This is where all of
the bike tour companies bring you for sunrise because you get one of the best views into
the basin from here. It's open from sunrise to 3pm and contains a clear and concise dis-
play on the geology of Haleakala. Maps and books are available, and ranger talks are par-
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