Haleakala Puu Ulaula Summit Hill

Climb the steps to the shelter or take the more gradual ramp from the far end of the parking lot. If you look to the southeast you will probably see the high summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes on the Big Island, each over 13,000 feet in elevation, poking their summits through the clouds. At this point, Haleakala's summit elevation is 10,023 feet, but the mountain was once much higher than this.

A number of factors have contributed to Haleakala's shrinking, including thousands of years of erosion, rapid caldera collapse, and slow island subsidence (sinking into the ocean bed). It can be concluded that the summit of Haleakala likely reached an elevation of 13,000 - 14,000 ft., even higher than the modern-day volcanoes on the Big Island.

As you look to the southwest, just outside the park on the next cinder cone of the rift, you will see Science City. Unfortunately, it is primarily off limits to the public and none of the high altitude observatories allow visitors. Scientists use the observatories to track satellites, to measure the wobble of the moon, and to conduct other space research.

The summit of Haleakala is considered to be the sun's altar, and many brave tourists drive the highway in the wee hours of the morning to watch the world-famous Haleakala sunrise. Unfortunately, many people are unprepared for what they find at the summit: bone-chilling cold and sometimes gusty winds. Some misguided tourists try to bear the 20 - 40 °F temperatures armed only with summer clothes and a hotel towel. Check out our Haleakala Summit Area page for more information and tips. 

Those shivering sunrise visitors can thank the demigod Maui for the slow pace of the sun. As you may have noticed on the sign entering the park, Maui once snared La, the sun god, with twine and made a deal with him that he would "walk" more slowly across the sky. Maui did this so that his mother, Hina, would have more hours in the day for her tapa cloth to dry. To this day, La continues to carry out Maui's wishes, often to the chagrin of summit visitors!

Thinking maybe a Haleakala sunset might be better for you? Visit our Haleakala Sunrise and Sunset Times page to decide which to view as well as tips to stay safe and comfortable.