Haleakala National Park - Hosmer Grove

Located near the park entrance Hosmer's Grove was planted in 1910 as an experiment to see which variety of tree would grow best in Hawaii. tree's from all over the world were planted. The short nature walk has small signs naming the trees and where they originate from. There is a small camp ground with picnic table's, grills and tent spaces. In addition there is a 3 sided covered structure with 2 picnic tables for less than ideal weather. Our family thinks this structure should have our name on it as we always arrive to find it empty and waiting for us :)
This afternoon our friends from Germany accompanied us. Hamburgers grilled on a small weber , Potato salad, watermelon, and fruit salad. It was a wonderful afternoon. Our friends proceeded up to the summit for the evening sunset. We feel so fortunate to have this National Park in our back yard.

Haleakala ~ Halemauu trail to Holua cabin

"No Way, leave at 5:30am, it's still dark outside!" This was actually a great idea once you get over hoisting the protesting body out of the nice warm comfy bed. We started hiking at 7am after hopping around the parking lot at 8,000 feet trying to get warm. It was a beautiful clear morning as we started out on the Halemauu trail. We could see all the way down to the shoreline where the distant surf was rolling in at Keanae. (Jaws was pumping I hear). Hana airport was visible just under the cloud line. Not a cloud in the crater. We leaft Jeremy and Celia at the crater rim whic is a little more than a mile from the parking lot. This is just before you start the switchbacks to descend 1,500 feet to the crater floor.

Try give a loud shout when you are half way down the trail and listen to the reverberating echo's. Pretty cool. Nene pairs greeted us at the trail head, at the bottom of the cliff and again at the cabin. Brunch of cheese and smoked sausage on rolls. We reached the bottom of the cliff again at 10:30 just as clouds started rolling in up from Koolau gap. A rest in the soft grass before hiking up at 11:20. It was now clouded in with a fine mist keeping us cool for the hike out. Target time of meeting Jeremy and Celia in the parking lot at 12:30. We all arrived together at 12:40.

A perfect hike of 3.9 miles each way.

Nene Pair below found at the base of the trail. Bottom video is horseplay at the hitching post.