Haleakala crater is a dormant volcano just over 10,000 feet high. It is a National park and provides once in a lifetime views of what a dormant volcano crater looks like. The sunrise at the top of Haleakala is a must see. Many tourists and residents make the trip up the mountain to see this beautiful sight every morning. In order to see the actual sunrise you must make it to the top of the mountain by 5:00-5:30 am. That means waking up very early. Viewing the sun coming up over the clouds is a breathtaking sight.
Many people go up to watch the sunrise then bike downhill with one of the biking tour companies such as Aloha Bicycle Tours. Remember to dress warm (in layers) for the sunrise, temperatures can get into the twenties and warm up quickly once the sun rises.
Once the sun rises, hiking in the crater can be very fun. It gives you a sense of what the moon might look like if you were walking on it. The park has detailed information on hiking trails to help find a hike or walk to accomidate your physical condition. Remember that your at 10,000 feet.
Haleakala is also home to the silversword plant that grows in only 2 places, Haleakala and Mauna Kea which is on the Big Island. This endangered plant takes 20-25 years to bloom, then it dies. For some more great information about the history of Haleakala, click here.
