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Sliding Sands Trail

Hike down into the huge crater (11 km across) of an inactive volcano. The crater is mostly eroded. There are two gaps in the sides of the crater walls that water has eroded through over the centuries. The interior of the crater is sandy and desolate and contains many cinder cones (sand hills formed from smaller volcanic activity).

Getting there

Go to the Haleakalā Vistor Center (not to be confused with the Park Headquarters Vistor Center which is lower one).

Maps

Which maps cover the area?

Route/Trail notes

The vistors center is at 3000 m on the edge of the crater. Take the Sliding Sands trail. The trail does down 500 m in the crater. The windy cold of the vistors center changes to warm, eerie stillness once you get inside the crater. After 1-2 km the trail will fork. The main fork to the right goes on for 20 km or more. Take the left fork which goes to the Ka Luʻu o ka ʻŌʻō cinder cone, which is the nearest of the cinder cones you see coming down the mountain. The cinder cone is made of different coloured sands and has a small crater at the top of it. You can walk around the crater. Then return to vistors center. The hike back uphill can be harder than it looks due to lower air pressure at this altitude. The trail was many specimens of the endangered silversword fern which grows only on this mountain.

Permits/Costs

Standard national park entry fee: $10.

Other References

How can I find more info? Any guide books?