We got up at 2:30 am to make the drive up Haleakala Volcano for the sunrise at the summit. The drive was about 1.5 hours so we got there well before sunrise. At over 10,000 feet in elevation it was pretty chilly but the bright stars and changing skies and lighting were well worth it. The lighting and views were spectacular as the sun rose. The sunrise actually occurred over a couple of hours starting around 4:30 am with breathtaking views constantly changing.
 |
| Sun rising over Haleakala Volcano at 10,000 feet above sea level. |
 |
| Morning light filtering through the clouds was very dramatic. |
 |
| At 10,000 feet we were well above the clouds. |
 |
| Dramatic views from before sunrise for hours afterward. |
 |
| Karen and Bill at the Haleakala summit. |
 |
| Marla, Bill, Karen, and Bill chilly but entertained on Haleakala. |
 |
| Marla and Bill with crater cinder cones in background. |
 |
| Jenna and Marla at Haleakala summit. |
 |
| Lighting changing minute by minute. |
 |
| Cinder cones silhouetted as the sun shines through the clouds. |
 |
| Dramatic filtering of the sun's rays through the clouds above Haleakala. |
 |
| Can't get too much of this view. |
 |
| I thought the sunrise would be a couple minute event - it went on for hours! |
 |
| Sunrise over but the lighting and views were still awesome. |
 |
| Great backdrop for poses. |
 |
| Jenna posing. |
 |
We are very easily entertained, especially after we got up at 2:30
|
 |
| Jenna and Karen with the Maui coast 10,000 feet below. |
 |
| Same view - different subjects - Karen and Bill. |
 |
| Now it is time for jumping poses. |
 |
| Jenna's jumping pose. |
 |
Silversword plant found only on the high slopes of Haleakala. The Silversword only blooms once after living 10 to 40 years and then dies. This blooming plant has beautiful purple flowers.
|
 |
| Silversword plant not in bloom. |
 |
| View of Haleakala Crater from the Visitor Center below the summit. |
View of the Sliding Sands Trail into the Haleakala Crater from the Visitor Center.
Marla and Jenna inside the Visitor Center.
Marla and Bill in the Visitor Center.
Marla posing at Visitor Center with Haleakala Crater in background.
Jenna also posing with Haleakala Crater in the background.
Queen of the silly pictures!
Karen at the Visitor Center with great view of the Haleakala Crater.
Early morning light at Haleakala Crater above the clouds made for great photos - Bill and Bill.
Clouds made great back drops for photos - Jenna and Karen.
Heading down Haleakala Volcano we made a stop at Leleiwi Overlook for more great views and photos - Karen and Jenna.
Bill and Marla with the valley west of Haleakala around 8,800 feet below the Leleiwi Overlook.
More jumping pictures with goofy Jenna.
 |
| From the Haleakala summit we spent the rest of the day driving and sightseeing back to Papakea. We stopped at the Hosmer Grove as well as the old Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town of Makawao. Makawao now is a center for Maui artists and craftsmen. Intermittent rain during the day kept us hopping from shop to shop in Makawao. Hosmer's Grove has a half-mile-long nature trail that winds through a forest of non-native trees introduced to Hawaii in 1910 by Ralph Hosmer for timber and watershed maintenance. The groves included eucalyptus from Australia, sugi pine from Japan, deodar from India, Douglas fir and several species of pine from mainland United States, along with other species in hopes of introducing a timber industry as well as reestablishing the watershed. |
On the trail in Hosmer's Grove.
The trail wound through the forest of eucalyptus and fir trees.
Eucalyptus trees in Hosmer's Grove.
The trail ended in an area with native Hawaiian flora and vegetation.
We made it back to the Papakea Resort in time for sunset - Bill. Jenna and Marla waiting with other guests for the Maui sunset.
Papakea designated signaler of the sunset - blowing of the conch shell.
Another beautiful Maui sunset.
No comments:
Post a Comment