Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 06:50:30 -1000 From: R. Jackson (ranjack@u.washington.edu> Subject: Hiking/Backpacking on Maui
Hi all:
My undergrad college-age sister and a friend will be on Maui in July for a conference. After the conference they are interested in doing some hikes, camping, or backpacking for about 5 days after the event. They are wondering about places to go, and beyond having done the Haleakala-Kaupo Gap trek a long time ago I don't know much about good places on Maui.
I think the backpacking book by Ball might have some hiking and camping info for Maui - but any other ideas, web-sites, or advice would be great. She mentioned heading out to Hana to see the pools - she has expressed an interest in roughing it, so this group may have just the right advice. After the recent recent stories about difficulties getting a ride by hitching it makes me think about transportation difficulties. I was thinking about the ferry to Lanai and camping at Manele Bay. Any other ideas?
Thanks Much,
Randy
I've done the crater,Poli Poli (my favorite), and the summit trail down to Poli Poli. Also, on the west end of Maui above Honokowai, there is a trail (mostly like a road) that goes up to a Hunter's cabin. From there you can hike even further. The views are the best I've seen. It's kind of hard to find where the road starts. Perhaps is listed in a book. You do have to go through pineapple fields to get to it. We also did a trek to another hunter's cabin just above Lahaina where the big "L" is on the hill.
Diggy
Randy,
In addition to Stuart's book, check out Adventuring in Hawaii [Sierra Club Books] for backpack and day hikes. Available in all state libraries.
A good place to camp/hike on Maui that gets little attention is Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area, at the 6500 foot level on the northwest slope of Haleakala. There is a free campground and a low- cost state cabin. The Skyline Trail goes from here to the summit of Haleakala, a different way to approach the mountain top. Other trails at Polipoli are shown in Adventuring [p. 172].
Another good place to camp free out Hana way is the national park campground at Oheo Pools. In addition to the pools, there is a great hike to Makahiku and Waimoku Falls, plus a neat swim up a rock-walled gulch to another falls and lovely pool [Adventuring, p. 168].
And while in the Hana area, don't fail to check out Blue Pool, Venus Pool, and Red Sand Beach.
Have Fun,
Richard