Final Day 8: Waimoku Falls and Ohe'o Gulch
A FEW BRAVE SOULS
will endeavor to travel the entire Hana Highway, and eventually run full circle.
However, after taking it up to Haleakalā and back, it was safe to say we were
done. The Hana Highway’s tense turns and one lanes will eventually fray your
nerves after a while. As such, we did make one last trip out past Hana to
Waimoku Falls, the stunning 400 foot waterfall that is one of the taller ones
in Hawaii accessible by foot.
Make sure to save
your receipt if you recently visited Haleakalā when gaining entry to this state
park. Also, go early! We had one up on other tourists since we stayed nearby in
Waiʻānapanapa. By the time we finished the hike
around noon, the parking lot was full.
Many guidebooks
had recommended Ohe’o Gulch, also known as the Seven Sacred Pools, that Waimea
Falls eventually filters into. However, these unfortunately were not as
impressive. The water was murky, and there were hoards of people lazing about
in them.
However, Pipiwai Trail, a four mile round trip leading up to Waimoku Falls, is an incredible journey in itself!
The trail opened up less than 1o minutes in to the majestic Makahiku Falls. Mist floated about it, egrets soared gracefully past iridescent rainbows, and a vast valley of lush, green foliage carpeted the earth. We stopped and gawked for a while. Next we arrived at this gigantic banyan tree, an old grandmother tree that was a playground unto itself.
However, Pipiwai Trail, a four mile round trip leading up to Waimoku Falls, is an incredible journey in itself!
The trail opened up less than 1o minutes in to the majestic Makahiku Falls. Mist floated about it, egrets soared gracefully past iridescent rainbows, and a vast valley of lush, green foliage carpeted the earth. We stopped and gawked for a while. Next we arrived at this gigantic banyan tree, an old grandmother tree that was a playground unto itself.
The trail was full
of more surprises. After we
switch-backed over several bridges and spotted tinier waterfalls, the trail
abruptly plunged into a mysterious bamboo forest. The wind rustled through,
making a haunting, rattling song, and I half-expected to see people dancing
around like something out of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The trail changed
to a boardwalk at this point to avoid all of the mud. It was very pleasant and
cool.
Lastly, we made it
to the foot of the waterfall itself. We were visiting in summer, so Waimoku
Falls wasn’t running at its highest. In the spring, people can rarely get close
to the falls because there is so much run-off. However, we were able to get up
close to marvel and earn incredibly sore necks staring up. I cannot say enough
good things about this hike; just be careful and wary of your surroundings when
visiting the falls. Falling boulders and cliff side avalanches can happen.
We were ready to
drive a little bit further. Thus our journey along the Hana Highway ended here,
at a beautiful shady church overlooking the deep blue of the sea. This is where
famous aviator Charles Lindbergh is buried. We took our time at Ho'omau Church,
sat, breathed, and enjoyed the wondrous majesty that is Maui.*
*Do you have any recommendations when visiting Maui? Share a comment below!
*Do you have any recommendations when visiting Maui? Share a comment below!
(0) Intro: Welcome to Maui
(1) Day 1: Northwest Maui: Lahaina
(3)Day 3: Central Maui: Paia and Makawao
(4) Day 4: The Hana Highway
(5) Day 5: Wai'anapanapa State Park
(6) Day 6: Haleakala National Park
(7) Day 7: NorthernMaui: Hana and the Red Sand Beach
(5) Day 5: Wai'anapanapa State Park
(6) Day 6: Haleakala National Park
(7) Day 7: NorthernMaui: Hana and the Red Sand Beach
Disclaimer: the
above is presented as fiction, not fact. *Names have been changed for the sake
of privacy.
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