Haleakalā National Park- A Photographic Discovery
Haleakalā National Park is on the Hawaiian island of Maui. It’s home to the dormant Haleakalā Volcano and endangered Hawaiian geese. The Leleiwi and Kalahaku overlooks on the steep Crater Road have views across the West Maui Mountains. Rugged trails in the Summit District pass cinder cones and lava flows. In the coastal area of Kīpahulu are the Pools of Ohe’o, freshwater pools and waterfalls set amid bamboo forest.
Barbara and I got up very early and drove to the summit through a series of switchback roads and arrived well before first light. We secured a spot at the summit station lookout and I began to photograph. We were at 10,000' so it was cold and the air pure and clear. One can see across the entire island of Maui from this vantage point. Clouds were 2,000'- 3,000' below us.
The cloud cover below moved like a very slow river. The air was thin and pure- the Milkyway was distinct. The foreground shows the road to the observatory.
As first light began to emerge, it's easy to see the curvy road we drove up on. The Milkyway still shines brightly.
I started to observe the landscape from different perspectives- the light conditions were slow to change.
Haleleaka Observatory
As the light grew brighter, details began to emerge.
Different cloud-types were forming- air currents began to change velocity across the valley.
Suddenly the sun popped up above the cloud layer- people were applauding, it was an incredible sight to behold.
These colors are not enhanced.
The surrounding sky became more luminous in every direction.
Clouds and mist enveloped the valley below.
It was as if we were in an airplane- that's what 10,000' seems like, well above the cloud layer.
With the sun to my back I examined other points of view.
The shadow of Haleakala being cast across the entire island- this was breath taking... (which was easier since we were at 10,000')
The valley was 9,850' feet below us- first light is being cast upon Puu Kukui in the distance.
We turned our attention to the crater after the sun rose in the sky.
The bright sun made the crater interior seem other-worldly.
As the cloud cover started to thin, we began our adventure down into the crater for a close-up view.
Other-worldly is putting it mildly...
The colors were subtle, the air was moisture free.
It was easy to see why this landscape was used to train NASA astronauts.
The volcano continues to crumble away into the sea... maybe in the next 800-900 million years +/- a few years.
Barbara went ahead of me hiking down the trail- it was much warmer the farther down the trail we went.
Looking across the crater basin gives one a true sense of scale.
A view of the trail leading to the crater basin.
Note to self: One that hikes down the trail must also hike up the trail... and don't forget your water!
Lots of interesting one-of-a-kind plants growing in the crater.
Wide view of the crater with clouds still lingering below.
Several plants on the endangered species list only grow in the Haleakala crater.
Cinder cones found near the crater basin.
Exposed minerals showing off their colors.
Exposed minerals showing off their colors.
A desolate landscape riddled with pumpkin-sized rocks.
A sizable boulder mainly used as a resting place for exhausted hikers coming out of the crater...
Observation building where we captured the sunrise photos.
