low Maui - Sights - Haleakala National Park -

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Two hours, 38 mi, 10, 023 feet— those are the unlikely numbers involved in reaching Maui' s highest point, the summit of the volcano Haleakala. Nowhere else on Earth can you drive from sea level ( Kahului) to 10, 023 feet ( the summit) in only 38 mi.

And what' s more shocking— in that short vertical ascent you' ll journey from lush, tropical- island landscape to the stark, moonlike basin of the volcano' s enormous, otherworldly crater.

Established in 1916, Haleakala National Park covers an astonishing 27, 284 acres, with the Haleakala " Crater" as the centerpiece of the park.

The mountain has terrific camping and hiking, including one- hour, four- hour, eight- hour, and overnight trails, that take hikers through the Waikamoi Cloud Forest and the crater itself. Before you head up Haleakala, call for the latest ( PHONE: [phone]) . Extreme gusty winds, heavy rain, and even snow in winter are not uncommon. Because of the high altitude, the mountaintop temperature is often as much as 30 degrees cooler than that at sea level.

Be sure to bring a jacket. There' s a $ 10 per car fee to enter the park; but it' s good for three days and can be used at ' Oheo Gulch ( Seven Sacred Pools) , so save your receipt. Once inside the park, stop at the to learn about the volcano' s history and pick up trail maps and memorabilia at the gift shop. Campers and hikers should check in here.

At about an 8, 800- foot elevation you' ll come to which offers your first awe- inspiring view of the crater. The small hills in the basin are volcanic cinder cones ( called in Hawaiian) , each with a small crater at its top, and each the site of a former eruption. If you' re here in the late afternoon, it' s possible you' ll see yourself reflected on the clouds and encircled by a rainbow— a phenomenon called the Brocken Specter.

Don' t wait all day for this, because it' s not a daily occurrence. The famous silversword plant grows amid the desertlike surroundings at at the 9, 000- foot level on Haleakala. This endangered beauty grows only here and at the same elevation on the Big Island' s two peaks. When the silversword reaches maturity it sends forth a 3- to 8- foot- tall stalk with several hundred tiny sunflowers. It blooms once, then dies.

The ( open daily from sunrise to 3: 30) , at an elevation of 9, 740 feet, has exhibits inside, and a trail from here leads to White Hill— a short, easy walk that will give you an even better view of the valley. The highest point on Maui is the at the 10, 023- foot summit. Here you' ll find a glass- enclosed lookout with a 360- degree view.

The building is open 24 hours a day, and this is where visitors gather for the best sunrise view. posts the hour of sunrise every day— it falls between 5: 45 and 7, depending on the time of year. Remember to bring blankets or hotel towels to stay warm on the cold and windy summit. On a clear day you can see the islands of Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and Hawaii ( the Big Island) . On a clear day you can even spot Oahu glimmering in the distance. The air is very thin at 10, 000 feet.

Don' t be surprised if you feel a little breathless while walking around the summit. Take it easy and drink lots of water. Anyone who has been scuba diving within the last 24 hours should not make the trip up Haleakala. On a small hill nearby, you' ll see an off- limits research and communications center straight out of an espionage thriller.

The University of Hawaii maintains an observatory here, and the Department of Defense tracks satellites. www. nps. gov/ hale. COST: $ 10 per car, good for 3 days. OPEN:

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