Haleakala And Volcano NP

Is it worth it to drive up to Haleakala (daytime) if going to Volcano NP as well? What does it offer that is different?

Also, what else is enjoyable in the Maui upcountry?

Thanks!

One is active, the other is not. The scenery at one is nothing like the other.

If the weather cooperates the views from Haleakala are fantastic. Take a jacket though as it can be very cold. There are other things to see and do upcountry but like anything it depends on your interests.

Agree with smslms, different as night and day both well worth the time. One big difference is that the summit of Haleakala is slightly higher than 10,000 feet with a view that is spectacular. Plan on the temperature at the summit to be about 35 degrees colder than the current sea level temperature, not to mention any wind chill.

Also, what else is enjoyable in the Maui upcountry?

Thanks!

Driving scenic Kula Highway. Ulupalakua Ranch Store for lunch (lamb burgers, elk burgers, Maui Cattle Company beef burgers, etc.). Tedeschi Winery. Ali'i Lavender Farm in the summer. Ocean vodka distillery. Hali'imaile distillery. Surfing Goat Dairy. Various farmers' markets. Makawao town's artisans. Various botanical gardens. There are more places, but this is just off the top of our head.

Thanks all!

Would it be reasonable to drive from Kahului to Keanae lookout on RTH ( with a few stops and maybe Garden of Eden botanical garden)then backtrack and cut over to Kula in one day and maybe do the Lavender Farm? Then depending on timing head up to Haleakala? This would be on day 1 in Maui so no need to be back at a certain time.

If you have lots of time your plan sounds feasible. From a personal point of view I would prefer to go up to Haleakala in the morning rather than later in the day, but that's just me.

I think Silver Sweethearts can probably give you the best answer.

Enjoy your time in the Islands.

Remember to bring WARM clothes for Haleakala....it's freaking COLD up there...and windy, too! I'm talking 30-40 degrees...shorts won't cut it!!!

Thanks all!

 

Would it be reasonable to drive from Kahului to Keanae lookout on RTH ( with a few stops and maybe Garden of Eden botanical garden)then backtrack and cut over to Kula in one day and maybe do the Lavender Farm? Then depending on timing head up to Haleakala? This would be on day 1 in Maui so no need to be back at a certain time.

That should work & I've done it in reverse going up to the summit of Haleakala for the sunrise and then drove around the southern end of the island back to Central Maui...not many cars going that direction. ;)

Haleakala is not shorts weather & from this link you can see the current weather & forecast. Overnight lows can be in the 30° range and with the wind it will feel even cooler when considering the windchill factor. At the summit the forecasted high for today is 55° but by Saturday the high temperatures are forecasted to be between 56° and 69°.

http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/weather.htm

The road west of Kipahulu (AKA 7 Sacred Falls) was closed along the shoreline earlier this month by a rockslide & recently by a brush fire. The southern route is mostly barren rocky land & portions of the road are grated dirt & gravel roadways. The RTH and Silver Sweetheart's Upcountry are very scenic but there's not much that's scenic between them. If you have car problems along that isolated stretch of road it would take a long time to get tow service and would be very expensive to get back to Central Maui.

Here are links I'd recommend using before deciding if any road closures could affect your plans:

http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/maui/

http://www.co.maui.hi.us/AlertCenter.aspx

http://www.co.maui.hi.us/Directory/Home/DepartmentListing?DID=191

That should work & I've done it in reverse going up to the summit of Haleakala for the sunrise and then drove around the southern end of the island back to Central Maui...not many cars going that direction. ;)

 

Haleakala is not shorts weather & from this link you can see the current weather & forecast. Overnight lows can be in the 30° range and with the wind it will feel even cooler when considering the windchill factor. At the summit the forecasted high for today is 55° but by Saturday the high temperatures are forecasted to be between 56° and 69°.

 

http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/weather.htm

 

The road west of Kipahulu (AKA 7 Sacred Falls) was closed along the shoreline earlier this month by a rockslide & recently by a brush fire. The southern route is mostly barren rocky land & portions of the road are grated dirt & gravel roadways. The RTH and Silver Sweetheart's Upcountry are very scenic but there's not much that's scenic between them. If you have car problems along that isolated stretch of road it would take a long time to get tow service and would be very expensive to get back to Central Maui.

 

Here are links I'd recommend using before deciding if any road closures could affect your plans:

 

http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/maui/

http://www.co.maui.hi.us/AlertCenter.aspx

http://www.co.maui.hi.us/Directory/Home/DepartmentListing?DID=191

Thanks for all of the info and links. The trip is not until July, but this will be helpful then. Probably would not be driving the "back" side but cutting across on Kaupakalua Rd through Makawao. Definitely won't be for sunrise either, not enough early birds in the group.

Thanks everyone for the warm clothing advice.

Would it be reasonable to drive from Kahului to Keanae lookout on RTH ( with a few stops and maybe Garden of Eden botanical garden)then backtrack and cut over to Kula in one day and maybe do the Lavender Farm? Then depending on timing head up to Haleakala? This would be on day 1 in Maui so no need to be back at a certain time.

In our experience, the earlier you go to Haleakala the better, as clouds tend to build as the day progresses and the chance of a better view should be in the morning. Obviously, if it is very overcast or raining you may not have a view at all. You really have to play it by ear and see what it looks like when you get here.

Whether you start or end at Haleakala, consider these scenic shortcuts: From Keanae to Haleakala - backtrack from Keanae to Paia and take a left on Baldwin Avenue up to Makawao. Turn right on Makawao Avenue and continue to Haleakala Highway. Make a left on Haleakala Highway and you are on your way to Kula and Haleakala. Do the reverse from Kula/Haleakala to Keanae.

Do remember that lavender is pretty seasonal, and looks best in summer (around August comes to mind, but you can look it up). If you show up in December or something it may not be as pretty as what you were expecting.

Late note: You posted while we were writing, and it looks like you have everything in hand. July should be pretty good for the lavender, but you might want to email them to make sure. As to your route through Haiku/Makawao, that will certainly work as long as you know where you are going - which it sounds like you do.

In our experience, the earlier you go to Haleakala the better, as clouds tend to build as the day progresses and the chance of a better view should be in the morning. Obviously, if it is very overcast or raining you may not have a view at all. You really have to play it by ear and see what it looks like when you get here.

 

Whether you start or end at Haleakala, consider these scenic shortcuts: From Keanae to Haleakala - backtrack from Keanae to Paia and take a left on Baldwin Avenue up to Makawao. Turn right on Makawao Avenue and continue to Haleakala Highway. Make a left on Haleakala Highway and you are on your way to Kula and Haleakala. Do the reverse from Kula/Haleakala to Keanae.

 

Do remember that lavender is pretty seasonal, and looks best in summer (around August comes to mind, but you can look it up). If you show up in December or something it may not be as pretty as what you were expecting.

 

Late note: You posted while we were writing, and it looks like you have everything in hand. July should be pretty good for the lavender, but you might want to email them to make sure. As to your route through Haiku/Makawao, that will certainly work as long as you know where you are going - which it sounds like you do.

Agreed on going as early as possible to avoid the clouds coming in. But also, you'll be ahead of all the tour busses heading up. We have been up Haleakala (and all over the surrounding upcountry area) at least 25 times and always leave early to arrive at the lower Visitors Center by 8:00-8:30. Seldom are we clouded in and always pass the tour busses when we're heading back down.

Here's a link to a 1 minute video of the drive to Haleakala and it shows the clouds beginning to roll in.

http://budgettravel.com/video/top-road-trip-mauis-haleakala-summit-drive,34/

If the crater area is obscured by clouds & you're above them then Haleakala is one of the few places to experience the Brocken Spectre. This link shows a photo of this effect when your shadow is cast upon the clouds resulting in a halo effect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brocken_spectre

Another consideration that the NP warns about is considering the affects of going to a high altitude peak:

"The Summit and Kīpahulu Districts are remote. An ambulance takes at least 45 minutes to arrive at either district from the nearest town. People with respiratory or other medical conditions should also be aware that the summit of Haleakalā is at 10,000 ft".

fairsky1984 -

Off topic for one minute. Just have to ask if, by chance, you have sailed with Sitmar Cruises in the past??

fairsky1984 -

 

Off topic for one minute. Just have to ask if, by chance, you have sailed with Sitmar Cruises in the past??

Our first "Princess" cruise was on Sitmar's Fairwind in 1988 before becoming the old Dawn Princess.

We've never sailed on a luxury cruise line (got lunch & a tour on Crystal) and for us Sitmar was our most luxurious cruise. Their white glove service & great food while cruising Italian style was our best cruise. Newer ships have more things to offer however the Italian & Portuguese crew made Sitmar a wonderful for us! :D

The reason we first cruised with Silversea was because of their background with Sitmar. Interestingly, it was during the time between Sitmar's demise and Silversea starting up that we decided we needed somewhere new to vacation and ended up buying property on Maui.

The reason we first cruised with Silversea was because of their background with Sitmar. Interestingly, it was during the time between Sitmar's demise and Silversea starting up that we decided we needed somewhere new to vacation and ended up buying property on Maui.

I see in your signature that you sail luxury cruise lines...how did Sitmar compare to them?

I see in your signature that you sail luxury cruise lines...how did Sitmar compare to them?

So that we don't hijack this thread, we'll answer that question over at "Cruise Critic Former Sitmar Cruiser", post #30.

So that we don't hijack this thread, we'll answer that question over at "Cruise Critic Former Sitmar Cruiser", post #30.

Mahalo

The park service is holding meetings to consider ways to minimize traffic at the summit of Haleakala for sunrise so there could be future changes for those driving independently & not on a commercial tour.

"Park managers note that sunrise viewing in the Summit District of the park is a top attraction for Maui visitors and the community. Pre-dawn through sunrise is described as the busiest time of day at the summit and there has been an ongoing, steady, and significant increase in sunrise visitors who arrive on their own, not on commercial tours.

With ever-increasing numbers of sunrise visitors, park managers say they are being challenged to provide a safe and enjoyable experience while also protecting the sensitive summit environment"

http://mauinow.com/2016/04/15/park-seeks-input-on-haleakala-sunrise-operations/

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=63985

If I had to choose a volcano visit in Hawaii it would be VNP. We hardly ever go up to Haleakala. It's just our preference.

So many beautiful areas on Maui that do not involve the drive to Haleakala. JMO. Have a great cruise. Cherie

And we would make the opposite choice! But we love lush green, huge trees, and views that go on forever, from mountain to sea.:D. But you do not necessarily have to choose between. They are on seperate islands. And it is entirely possible to see many things in a days time on each island. I just think some people assume "if you've seen one volcano, you've seen them all", and that is why they ask.

And sunrise from Haleakala is breathtaking and not only because it will be at 10,000', cold & probably windy. but it's like experiencing a sunrise from space. :D