The following is a continuation of Hiking the Halemau’u Trail to the Paliku Campsite at Haleakala National Park.
One of the best parts of camping is sleeping when the sun sets and waking when it rises. We were awake a little after 5am with the pleasure of enormous slugs crawling on the tent’s screen. It rained extremely hard during the night, leaving us wondering if there would be a flash flood on the hillside where we were camped. Fortunately, by the light of day the rain slowed down to a drizzle.
We made our breakfast and debated the best way to pack up our soaked tent. We finally decided that the best approach wasn’t to wait for the rain to stop, but to move as quickly as possible once we emerged. We packed the backpacks first so that the tent breakdown was as simple as dropping the poles, pulling the stakes and rolling up the rest.
Rainbows
We were essentially dry as we left the campsite but our pants were quickly soaked as we walked through light rain and wet vegetation. It was warm enough for us to be comfortable and we were delighted with rainbows over our trail as we hiked back toward the Haleakala Crater.
Even though we’d walked this route, by morning and in a different light, it was like a new adventure. We stopped for an early lunch at the first lava flow just as we left the rain behind, and were soon hiking once again through the lunar landscape of the Haleakala Crater. Our trip on day two was significantly more uphill and we could feel it.
Once across the Crater, we once again entered the rainy area that gradually became more green and less desolate. The final nearly 7 km (4.2 miles) was entirely uphill but a great way to finish such an amazing hike. The Halemau’u Trail is an excellent adventure for those who come prepared for the many climates of this unique landscape.
maximum adventure 
April 17, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Way cool pictures. Looks like it was fun. I’m from Maui but it’s been so long since I’ve done the hikes that I can’t remember the names of them. We’ve done the ‘down the summit up the switchback’ hike a few times but the one I remember is starting at the summit, staying over night and coming out on the farside of Hana in Kaupo. I did it only once when I was little – my wife and I tried to do it a few years ago but as luck would have it, the earthquake hit Maui and shut the roads behind Hana down so. . . . hike cancelled. Way cool post.
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April 17, 2012 at 6:53 pm
we’ll check that out, thanks!
May 19, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Is the Halemauu Trail difficult to hike in terms of trail width? I hiked the kalalau trail a few years back and almost died of sheer terror (goat trails!) and all the soil erosion. I want to be better prepared this time around. Funny thing is one website says the level of difficulty is 5/5, but I wonder if this is because of the elevation, not necessary the steep/risk your life trail.
Also, do you think starting from sliding sand and back out through halemauu trail can be done in 1 day?
Thanks!!!!!!
May 19, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Cindy, the trail is relatively wide for most of the way with no real erosion or goat trail issues. The reason for the 5/5 rating is that it rises quite quickly from Kaupo Trailhead to Paliku Campsite. Most people hike down from Haleakala, but we did it going up instead. Going from the Sliding Sands Trail all the way to Kaupo Gap in one day is definitely possible, but understand that it is over 17 miles. It goes mostly downhill, but downhill can be just as tiring as going uphill and if you’re not used to it, very challenging.
July 8, 2012 at 6:37 pm
Hi Chris – We’re trying to plan a hike, staying one night at Paliku and one at Kapalaoa. I looking for estimates of how long it takes to hike from the summit to Paliku, and from Paliku to Halemauu. We are fit, but not accustomed to high altitudes We’re staying in the cabins so need less gear – meaning our packs shouldn’t be a big factor. Thanks for any help you can offer.
July 8, 2012 at 10:08 pm
You should plan for it to be a one-day hike from the summit to Paliku. I wouldn’t start later than about 10am so that you can take it easy and stop to eat along the way. By staying in the cabins, you’ll have it pretty easy. As far as altitude, you’ll be coming down the first day and therefore you won’t feel it. Altitude won’t be much of a factor from Paliku to Kapalaoa, since you’ll be lower than the top (altitude really kicks in above 10K or so for most).
July 10, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Thanks!
October 13, 2012 at 3:51 pm
Just wanted to say thank you for the informative blog posts. We share your passion for hiking and the outdoors and are planning to tackle this hike on an upcoming visit to Maui (we just visited last month and already are planning a return!). It is always nice to get a first hand account – certainly helps the planning process.
Thanks again.
October 13, 2012 at 4:36 pm
You’re very welcome. This is why we do it!