On our last day on Maui, we planned to go to the top of Haleakala to view the sunset. It had been a gorgeous day and we were hopeful that it would be clear at the top of the mountain.
The drive up the mountain goes from sea level to 10,000 feet in just 24 miles. The last 15 miles are a winding switch back road that requires you to drive slowly and cautiously. Haleakala is the nesting place for the native Hawaiian goose . . . the Nene. We didn’t see any while we were there.
We drove through a low-lying band of clouds on the way up the mountain and once we got through that we were treated to spectacular views of the valley. However, once we got to the top of the mountain it was socked in with clouds and very windy. Did I mention it was very cold, too?
I was bundled in a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt and a fleece jacket and it was still freezing. Needless to say, we didn’t stay at the top for the sunset.
Haleakala is also home to the silversword. The silversword lives from 3 – 90 years, blooms once and then dies.
It has been an endangered species but due to conservation is making a comeback.
On the way down we cleared the cloud cover and were treated to a gorgeous sunset. 
What a gorgeous way to end out stay on Maui.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
Look like somebody is freezing …. that is high up. I don’t think I ever been that high not on my own feet. A bit distance from the Hawaii have in my head – in more than one way. Silverwood, what I beautiful plant .. never seen before.
It was pretty cold at the top. Its amazing to thing that you can be warm at 85 degrees at the ocean and an hour later be freezing at the top of the mountain. I believe that the Silversword plant only grows on Haleakala.
Strange that there is so chilly at tropical place like Hawaii
Lovely (and funny too!). For some reason, I was under the impression that the nene goose was extinct?
We’ve done the trek up to Haleakala. Highly recommended for anyone who visits Maui. But yeah, take warm clothes. You just never know!
We’ve seen them on our past two visits, but unfortunately not close enough for a picture (I have older photos from the 90s).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nene_(bird)
Yeah, I don’t know where I got the idea. I’m pretty sure I was told as I was growing up that our state bird was actually extinct. Maybe I have it confused with another native bird.
I wish we could have seen one while we were there. But even if there were geese at the top we probably wouldn’t have seen them because the fog was so thick. 🙂
You can’t say that you aren’t adventurous, Maralee. Beautiful photos. Looks like Minnesota cold temps. at the top.
It was cold, but nothing compared to what Minnesota is going through right now. I sure don’t miss that Minnesota cold.
Fabulous sunset.
Thank you very much.
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What a brilliant post… damn but it does look cold up there… pity the plant wasn’t in bloom as seeing the one that has and now died, it must be spectacular to see it bloom…
Thanks, Rob. I’ve never seen the plant actually in bloom. It’s either before or after. But I’ve only been to the top of Haleakala a few times.
Beautiful images and great information combined in this blog post. Hard to imagine a plant taking up to 90 years to bloom..
Thanks, MD. It’s not a plant I would sit up there and wait to see it bloom. 🙂
Excellent!
Thank you very much.
Oh wow! That is stunning. Love the cloudy shots too. 🙂