Friends of Haleakala Service Trip to Paliku Cabin

September 2-4, 2006

On Labor Day Weekend 2006, we joined a group of 8 other hikers, and accompanied by a guide from the Friends of Haleakala and two Park Volunteers, for a hiking, camping and service trip to Paliku Cabin, located at the bottom of the eastern rim of the Haleakala Crater. We started on Saturday (9/2/06) at the Haleakala Summit, hiking down the Sliding Sands Trail, across the bottom of the crater, arriving at Paliku Cabin for a total of 11 miles.

On Sunday, we did volunteer work at the ranger's cabin doing inventory of tools and equipment and on the surrounding fields, pulling out invasive, non-native plants.

On Monday, we hiked seven miles from Paliku Cabin to the Kaupo Gap Trailhead, where we were pickd up by a van that took us back to the Summit to get our cars.

Here are some photos of the hike.

At the Summit, prior to the start of the hike.

Starting the hike at the Sliding Sands Trailhead. The Big Island of Hawaii is partially visible above the rim of the crater on the far side.

At Slinding Sands trail, looking towards the Ka Moa O Pele volcanic cone.

Our guides, Mellisa and Matt, explain some of the features on the crater. This is at Sliding Sands trail, about two miles in, looking towards Koolau Gap.

Hiking down Sliding Sands Trail

At the bottom of the crater, about five miles into the trail, looking towards the Haleakala visitor center.

About 8 miles into the hike, looking towards Paliku.

Arriving at Paliku Cabin, mile 11 of the hike.

The Nene were there to greet us.

Sunrise at Paliku, September 5, 2006,looking west towards the Visitor Center, locted at the rim near the center of the photo. Even though I was about 9 miles (As the crow flies) from the Visitor Center, I could see the camera flashes of people taking photos of the sunrise from there! I could also see the headlights of cars heading down the road from the sumit.

A bunch of happy campers, just before we left the Cabin to hike down Kaupo Gap.
Front: Jeanne, Mayumi, Melanie, Ruth, Wen-Lu, Melissa (Park Volunteer), Richard and Mary
Back: Steve, Gwen, Juan and Matt (Friends of Haleakala Guide).
Chuck (Park Volunteer) took the photo.

Hiking down Kaupo Gap. Big Island of Hawaii is visible in the background, near the ridge.

Hiking down Kaupo Gap. Big Island on the Background.

After seven miles and several hours of grueling hiking down a very steep, poorly maintained road, we made it to the trailhead. From here, we took a van back to the summit to get our car and go home.

Aloha!!