We did the most up to date section of the Road to Hana last Thursday which was cloudy on the first part and sunny on the second.\u00a0 We went as far as the Charles Lindbergh grave site and then turned around and returned by the same route.<\/p>\n
Today our objective was to return to the Haleakala Park Visitor Center near Hana to take the hike to the large waterfalls that we didn’t make before.\u00a0 We left at about 8 AM and drove straight to the Park.\u00a0 Well, not exactly.\u00a0 We had to stop to get the geocache at the Hana Welcome sign, but it was a did not find even though Joyce climbed up the tree where it was supposed to be.\u00a0 Due to rain, it was to slippery to climb high enough.\u00a0 We did buy some chocolate chip banana bread from the local stand at this site.\u00a0 Then, we made our way to the park arriving around 11 AM.<\/p>\n
After making sure we had all our equipment (Gary: camera, 2 lenses, various filters and a tripod) and plenty of water for the journey up.\u00a0 We started our 2 mile hike (one way) with an 800 feet elevation gain right from the parking lot.<\/p>\n
We were so surprised to see water flowing from the falls that had been completely dry on Thursday.\u00a0 A little rain must have helped out.\u00a0 Gary spent about 20 minutes photographing the waterfall.\u00a0 Too bad we don’t have a before and after photo!<\/p>\n
Continuing on our journey we were surprised to find a bridge over the river-creek-gulch that was above two waterfalls and pools.\u00a0 Stopped to take photos of this for about 30 minutes too.\u00a0 Had to keep waiting on other hikers to get off the bridge because it caused movement of the camera on the\u00a0 tripod.<\/p>\n
Then onward or it should be upward!\u00a0 We crossed another bridge, a number of raised boardwalk sections and a bunch of muddy, rocky spots on the trail.\u00a0 We entered the bamboo forest with great surprise.\u00a0 It was alternately bright and dark.\u00a0 Most interesting was the sound of the bamboo clacking against itself when the wind blew.\u00a0 The bamboo forest was about a mile in length or half of the hike up to the falls.\u00a0 Does the bamboo make a sound in the forest if there is no one there to hear it?<\/p>\n
We arrived at the falls around 1 PM with all the stops.\u00a0 Had to cross the creek-river-stream on foot.\u00a0 Gary got Joyce’s Tevas on and waded across.\u00a0 Joyce kept her shoes on and used the only hiking pole we brought to make her way across to the other side.<\/p>\n
Gary set up to take photos at the sign which stated it was illegal to go beyond.\u00a0 Of course, everyone else decided to proceed beyond the sign anyway.\u00a0 Made taking photos very difficult.\u00a0 After about an hour there were so many people coming up that we (maybe that was Gary) decided he’d had enough and it was time to begin the downward trek.<\/p>\n
The return trip was much faster.\u00a0\u00a0Gravity works!\u00a0 No stopping for photos either.\u00a0 At the parking lot we unloaded most of the stuff we had for the hike up, put on our Tevas and headed for the lower falls and pools hoping to get some time in the water.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the Ranger arrived about then and said access to the pools was closed because of potential rain up in the mountains that might result in flash flooding.\u00a0 Although disappointed, we were able to get a few photos of the pools and waves.<\/p>\n
Back to the car to continue our adventure on the Road to Hana.\u00a0 We left about 4 PM\u00a0 to take the other part of the Hana Road.\u00a0 It was very narrow, very winding and very beautiful.\u00a0 Glad we took that drive.<\/p>\n
Although geocaches were supposed to be on this route, we didn’t find any until we got closer to Kula Road.\u00a0 We found three.\u00a0 One at Saint James Church, one at the Sun Yet Sen Park with beautiful views and one at the LDS Chapel on Lower Kula Road.<\/p>\n
Stopped at the Safeway to pick up frozen pizza and salad for dinner.\u00a0 Got back to the condo about 8 PM.<\/p>\n
Altogether a 12 hour all day adventure!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We did the most up to date section of the Road to Hana last Thursday which was cloudy on the first part and sunny on the second.\u00a0 We went as far as the Charles Lindbergh grave site and then turned around and returned by the same route. Today our objective was to return to the … Continue reading Sunday (Aug 9) Drive–Road to Hana Complete!!!<\/span>