Silversword Plants [Suggest Edits]
Description
Take this short detour from the Halemau'u Trail for your chance to see a large number of the extraordinary silversword plants concentrated in one place. One of the world's rarest plants, silverswords only grow in a few locations on Hawaii and only between 6,000-10,000 ft in elevation. The silversword is a relative of the common sunflower- which makes more sense when you see it in bloom. Stay on the trail to avoid damaging these endangered plants, their roots or the fragile cryptobiotic soil crust.
All-Day Hike: It takes about 5 miles of moderately strenuous hiking from the Halemau'u Trailhead/Overlook on the Halemau'u Trail to reach the Silversword Loop. The greater part of the 5 mile return trip is steeply uphill.
Gem Type: Other
Check-Ins
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Dry - Legit double black diamond. Non-potable water available for filtering at Polipoli camping area (just above the cabin) and no water available above that until you reach the Haleakala Summit Visitor Center. The 2 liters I brought was insufficient - another liter would have been appropriate.
About a mile past the campsite, you exit the forest and enter aeolian steppe - it's quite dry, windy and exposed. The altitude and dryness had me running slower than planned.
Really cool views from the ridge. Unworldly in parts. And basically unused - I saw a total of 2 persons between Polipoli and the summit, both on the ascent and the descent.
The lower road sections were very uncomfortable for me. People drive stupidly fast on these tiny, winding country roads. The open hill where the paragliders fly is cool though.
39 days ago
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