Backpacker Magazine – August 2012

From The Field: West

Our trail scouts' top local hikes

by: Sarah L. Stewart

Tags:
• FromTheField
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• Destinations
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• West
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• August
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Halemau’u Trail, Haleakala NP, HI 
Jeff Bagshaw, Kula, HI
You could finish this hike in a day, but you shouldn’t miss a night at the primitive Holua campground (permit required, free at headquarters). That way, Bagshaw says, you’ll witness the best of this 5.3-mile out-and-back into a dormant Maui volcano. “About 2,000 pairs of an endangered seabird called the ’u’au nest in the cliffs overhead. You can hear their wings whoosh over you at night, and they seem to call their names: oo-A-oo.” Also, savor some of the world’s best telescope-free stargazing here: “If you have 20/20 vision, you can see the four Galilean moons of Jupiter.” Trip ID 42361

“Hike a 1.5-mile loop past the campground to see endangered ’ahinahina (aka silversword) in bloom.”

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