Haleakala National Park

I never thought that I’d feel so close to getting frostbite in Hawaii – but it happened on our trip to Haleakalā National Park. The peak is cold, windy and the weather is raw. Despite the cold, I’d do this trip again in a heartbeat. My expectations for our excursion to watch the sun rise were really high…but the experience exceeded my wildest dreams. In this post I’ll share some information you need to know before visiting the summit, along with some pre- and post-sunrise activities to consider. I’ll close with some tips for capturing breathtaking and moving photos of the sunrise and the natural beauty of the mountain.

Haleakala National Park

Haleakalā, also known as the east Maui volcano, is a volcano that forms approximately 75% of the island of Maui. In the Hawaiian language, its name means “house of the sun.” According to Hawaiian mythology, the volcano was the birthplace of the grandmother of the demigod Māui. Research shows that the volcano has been dormant since somewhere between 1500-1600 AD. A giant caldera or crater is at the summit of the volcano. The caldera is 7 miles (11.25 km)across, 2 miles (3.2 km) wide, and nearly 2600 feet (800 m) deep. It’s a barren expanse of rocky land that almost seems like the surface of another planet.

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Sounds like an awesome experience. I read your article and took notes. We are planning to be there January or so. Haleakala will be national park #52 of 59 for us. Thanks for the tips!

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