Keonehe'ehe'e (Sliding Sands) Trail - Haleakalā National Park

Continuing our February 2014 trip to Hawaii, we planned to watch the sunset from the summit of Haleakalā.  We arrived early enough to hike the first mile of the Keonehe'ehe'e or Sliding Sands trail before staking out a place to watch the sun set.  Our plans were thwarted by fog and clouds that rolled in just before sunset.  However, we did have great weather for a stroll down into the crater.  The trail starts at the end of the summit visitor center parking lot.  With a starting elevation of about 9750 feet above sea level rising to just over 9800 feet before descending at a continuous 8.8% grade, the trail is rated as moderate.  Take plenty of water and allow extra time for hiking back out.  The park service advises that the hike back up will take about twice as long as the stroll down.  The trail is well maintained and wide enough to walk double file.  The surface is cinders that are packed down with very few exposed rocks.  This is definitely a trail where you can focus on the scenery and not your feet.  However, please heed the warnings to stay on the trail as the surrounding landscape includes a very fragile ecosystem that can be carelessly destroyed by wandering off the trail.

The first mile of the Keonehe'ehe'e Trail

A silversword ('ahinahina) on the side of Pā Ka’oao (White Hill)

First view of the interior after rounding Pā Ka’oao

Most vegetation seems to grow on flatter areas like this

The trail switches back at the rock outcrop

Afternoon clouds roll in through Ko'olau Gap

Additional clouds blanket the Kipahulu District

The trail is wide with only the occasional rock to stumble on

Looking back at Pā Ka’oao (White Hill)

Clouds roll in below Leleiwi Pali

One mile down the trail reveals a stark and seemingly desolate landscape

Trails crisscross the interior of Haleakalā

Clouds and fog begin to fill the interior of Haleakalā

Erosion has created a converging palette of color

Ranks of clouds form overhead

An other worldly landscape

The sliding sands (cinders) expose numerous small rocks 

The rim creates sunset shadows on the interior

Looking back down the trail

Muted sunset over the West Maui Mountains

An entrance fee of  $10 provides a three-day pass to visit the park.  Other entrance options include an America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80 for twelve months or a Senior Pass for a one-time fee of $10 for those age 62 or over.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm.