Night is still cold at 6,200 feet, even in Maui. After sleeping on the beach on Christmas, I camped at Polipoli, an area the elevation of Stanley, ID, halfway up Haleakalā.
A thick, misty forest covers the volcano, which sprawls over eastern Maui and cordons off civilization to the central island and western shoreline. At our camp, we had a panorama of the towns a mile below, the West Mauis rising in the distance, and the Pacific Ocean on both shores disappearing into the horizon. After the sun went down, we donned headlamps and explored a nearby lava tube, running for around 150 yards and often high enough to stand up in.
Disc golf may be catching on in Boise, but the sport is a way of life for some hardcore Maui residents. Polipoli hosts a private 27 hole course, where golfers must clear trees, underbrush and navigate the mountainside. Our crew played 2 partial rounds and camped nearby.
Paragliders were also catching the winds.
Although I didn't make it to the summit this trip, I intend to return soon, but this time with my tent and cold weather sleeping bag...which are unfortunately back in Idaho.
