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Free Traveling Guides » States » Hawaii » Molokai & MauiSilversword Loop
The Sliding Sands Trail is the most popular footfall in the Haleakala National Park. It begins at the Visitor center, which is located at an elevation of nearly 9, 700 ft (2956 m). The most famous and special part of this trail is the ‘Silversword Loop’. The Loop appears like the surface of the Moon at a distance.
This part of the trail is known for hundreds of varieties of wonderful plants that grow here. The best among these is the silversword, a rare plant species found only in the Haleakala wilderness. This endangered plant is distantly related to the sunflower. The plant has silvery, sharp, and pointed leaves that glitter in the sun. Interestingly, this plant flowers only once in its lifetime and it dies thereafter. Besides, Naenae shrubs, a crossbreed of Naenae and Silversword can also be found in this area.
The Silversword Loop leads to the grassland that offers spectacular views of the Ko’olau Gap towards the ocean. The first European to explore the Silversword Loop was James Macrae. He was a part of a small party that had come here to visit the Mauna Kea summit in 1825. He was also the first to collect specimens of the Silverswords. This side trail is a “must-see” when you visit the Haleakala National Park. You just cannot afford to miss the site of the most special and unique plant in the world.
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