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Free Traveling Guides » States » Hawaii » Molokai & MauiSliding Sands Trail
The Sliding Sands Trail, popularly known as the Keoneheehee Trail, begins at the entrance to the Haleakala Visitor Center parking lot, located at an elevation of 9,700 ft (3,000 m). This trail drops down nearly 2,800 feet (850 m) into the crater. The half-day return hike up the mountain is extremely strenuous.
It leads to the Ka Luu O ka O`o cinder cone, the first cinder cone along the trail, to complete a 5-mile (8-km) round trip loop. One can also follow the trail to reach the Kapalaoa Cabin, just 5.6 mi (9.0 km) away or the Paliku Cabin, 9.8 mi (15.77 km) away. Sliding Sands Trail, the most popular Haleakala footfall, also cuts through the wilderness area on its way.
This sandy trail is in good condition and good to walk as well. It takes approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes to hike the trail, including the breaks and the loop on the crater rim. The descent is not slippery as the name suggests but is quite moderate in wide switchbacks. The temperature is neither too warm nor too cold. The trail is scenic as well as adventurous and it offers great panoramas every few minutes.
The Sliding Sands Trail is famous for its ‘Silversword’, a rare plant species that exists only in the Haleakala wilderness. These plants are most commonly found in a special part of the trail called the ‘Silversword Loop’. On your way back at the Sliding Sands Trail, the views of the surrounding picturesque landscape are awesome. The surroundings seem to resemble a moonscape. The valley is nearly 2.5 mi (4.0 km) wide and about 7.5 mi (12.1 km) long. Most of the valley is devoid of vegetation and the only few plants that grow here are extremely beautiful as they offer a stark contrast.
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