To the summit of Haleakala......
Jun. 8th, 2008 03:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
osodecanelaWe stopped at the side of the road, next to a horse pasture, at about 3500', to gaze at the expanse of valley below. This view is on the mountainside above Kihei, facing due west, the West Maui volcano (extinct) in the distance on the right and beyond it, the island of Lana'i. The climate felt surprisingly like northern California, specifically my neck of the woods in Sonoma County. The temperature was easily 15 degrees cooler than the valley below and probably 20 degrees warmer than the summit above!
After a brief respite, and several more bands of downhill cyclists careening past, we got back into the car and continued up the volcano, finally entering Nat'l Park land at 6000'. Here we were finally nearing both the tree line and the level of the clouds. The road became markedly more switchback as we continued up. Fortunately no longer were there any cyclists past the entry to the park. It's a two lane road with little, if any shoulder. A band of cyclists at this elevation, with oncoming traffic would be a recipe for disaster. 4000' in altitude and 10 miles distance wise after passing the sentry gate to the park, we arrived at the summit's visitor center. It's actually a good 200 feet shy of the summit, but does have some great vistas (and photo ops!).
Those are clouds in the last shot, not a glacier. This is well above the clouds and rarely sees any precipitation.
The air at the summit is noticably thinner. Signs caution all visitors to walk slowly. The last 200 feet to the top was an effort for me; not a difficult effort mind you, but my heart rate went up rapidly, climbing the last bit to the top, something it doesn't do at sea level.
From the summit, you can see the islands of Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, Molokai, the Big Island, and on a good day, even O'ahu. I could make all of these out visually, but unfortunately the camera in my cell phone didn't do the other land masses any real justice.
The vista on the trip down was a bit jarring to the eye, at least for me. Going up, you're focussed on the summit and the land above you. Going down, you really notice how much above the clouds you are. I found seeing clouds as we drove above them a very odd sensation. Much stranger than my first time flying and looking down at them from above from the window of a plane.
Tomorrow: Swimming with the fishes and the search for the perfect beach.
After a brief respite, and several more bands of downhill cyclists careening past, we got back into the car and continued up the volcano, finally entering Nat'l Park land at 6000'. Here we were finally nearing both the tree line and the level of the clouds. The road became markedly more switchback as we continued up. Fortunately no longer were there any cyclists past the entry to the park. It's a two lane road with little, if any shoulder. A band of cyclists at this elevation, with oncoming traffic would be a recipe for disaster. 4000' in altitude and 10 miles distance wise after passing the sentry gate to the park, we arrived at the summit's visitor center. It's actually a good 200 feet shy of the summit, but does have some great vistas (and photo ops!).
Those are clouds in the last shot, not a glacier. This is well above the clouds and rarely sees any precipitation.
The air at the summit is noticably thinner. Signs caution all visitors to walk slowly. The last 200 feet to the top was an effort for me; not a difficult effort mind you, but my heart rate went up rapidly, climbing the last bit to the top, something it doesn't do at sea level.
From the summit, you can see the islands of Lana'i, Kaho'olawe, Molokai, the Big Island, and on a good day, even O'ahu. I could make all of these out visually, but unfortunately the camera in my cell phone didn't do the other land masses any real justice.
The vista on the trip down was a bit jarring to the eye, at least for me. Going up, you're focussed on the summit and the land above you. Going down, you really notice how much above the clouds you are. I found seeing clouds as we drove above them a very odd sensation. Much stranger than my first time flying and looking down at them from above from the window of a plane.
Tomorrow: Swimming with the fishes and the search for the perfect beach.
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no subject
Date: 2008-06-09 03:12 am (UTC)One of these days I need to get back there - your trip sounds like it was a great time.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-09 06:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-11 12:48 am (UTC)I found seeing clouds as we drove above them a very odd sensation
Kinda like bein' in a flyin' car...
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Date: 2008-06-11 04:10 am (UTC)