Haleakala National Park and Rainbows, Maui

It’s more than brisk at the top of Maui.

Even driving on a hot afternoon from a fabulous beaches, prepare for the frosty summit of the Haleakala volcano. It is a bone-chilling, Montana at -10F, kinda of cold. Hiking pants, a fleece, and a windbreaker weren’t enough to keep this wimp from shivering in the high winds. One more layer and a wool hat might have made walking there more comfortable. That and had we remembered the gloves we purposefully packed for this trek. Ah, well.

Speaking of Montana, Route 378 resembles the Beartooth Highway with its gentle winding turns and occasional tight hairpins. Back and forth you weave your way up to the 10,023-foot elevation.

If you’re fortunate, you’ll see a stunning rainbow—and a twin—the entire drive up and down. The road takes you partially through cattle land, so be observant. We were stopped in one place by a cow jam, but they politely decided to move aside for us. 

 

The Haleakala Summit

There is a visitor’s station before the top and a small information and shelter once you’re there. Even if you are a stout hiker, keep in mind the altitude and the distance from medical assistance. You’re on your own, so carry plenty of food and water.

The area is stunning in a different way from The Kilauea Caldera at Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island. There, a vibrant orange center continually boils in a vast space of empty. But here, the “crater” is really by the convergence of two valleys. A glance around convinces you that you’ve landed on Mars.

The colors are striking in their depth from one hue to another. The blues seemed bluer, the red the color of bright fire, and the hidden glimpse of pink plants a treasure. Make sure you’re seeing what’s in front of you. Compartmentalize it, then build it back together again into a panoramic that will stay with you long after you descend.

Hiking Haleakala on Maui

When walking here, stay on the path (as challenging as some are to find) because the eco-system is quite fragile. One short strolls was comfortable enough going up, but at the top, the wind soared over and guess what? Right back to that biting cold.

The Haleakala Observatories are located here, in part because they sit one-third above the Earth’s atmosphere. Amazing, right?  Too bad they are not open to the public.

After dark, you witness a vast span of starlit sky—sometimes from summit to ocean over a hundred miles away. Just remember, you have to drive that curvy road down.

Maui’s Haleakala Sunrises

There is a Haleakala Sunrise event that requires reservations. Some friends were hearty eough to do this—we weren’t. They arrived at the summit between 3:00a.m. and 7:00a.m.—some folks choose to bicycle down. The requirements to participate in this drive have changed. Make sure to pop onto the website and read before making this a highpoint of your trip. This cost is separate from the Park entrance fee—which is paid on site and only by credit card.

Places to Stop Between Maui’s Beaches and Haleakala

Just before the turn into Haleakala National Park, you’ll find the Kula Lodge & Restaurant. We highly recommending stopping and admiring the views—especially if you luck into a day without rain. The terrace is an engineering feat with the table layouts and the pizza oven is huge.

A related drive had us staying on Route 37 instead of bearing left onto 377 toward the Park. Rounding one corner, we were assaulted with the heavenly aromas from the nearby Maui Lavender Farm, even with the windows closed.

On this stretch of highway, you’ll find a coffee shop, winery, and restaurant. We sampled fare at Grandma’s coffee, Ulupalakua Ranch Store (venison as well as beef) and Maui (Tedeschi) Wine.

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Read: Maui dining and Other Hawaii Hiking