Maui Sunrise and Downhill Bike Trip

We drove from our condo in Kihei to the other side of the island to the bike shop in Haiku. After arriving at the shop, we were fitted with our bike helmets and rain gear. Rain gear is provided because the weather on Haleakala can change quickly and it often rains several times during the course of a day. Here is our group after getting fitted for our helmets and rain gear, waiting for the bikes to be loaded into the trailers so we can be on our way.

(Photo by VickiSims)

Here we are in front of one of the trailers that hauls the bikes up to Haleakala National Park.

(Photo by VickiSims)

We didn't take any pictures as we rode in the van to Haleakala National Park because it was still too dark to see anything. We found our way in the dark from the parking lot to the sunrise viewing area by the visitor center as a small glimmer of light started to appear on the horizon.

(Photo by VickiSims)

Yes, this is me on a tropical island in Hawaii bundled up like the Michelin Man waiting for the sunrise. As a small bit of color begins to show on the horizon I'm wearing long underwear, a turtle neck shirt, a down vest, a polar fleece jacket with a hood, bike pants, gloves and the rain gear provided by the bike company. My teeth were still chattering!

Although Hawaii is in the tropics, the summit of Haleakala is over 10,000 feet in elevation and in the early morning before sunrise it is cold and windy. The temperatures are often below freezing and the wind chill makes it feel even colder. If you want to see the sunrise on Haleakala, pack your long johns, down jackets and polar fleece and be prepared for all kinds of weather. Don't forget a hat and gloves!

Dress in layers to so you can take warmer clothes off as temperatures rise while you glide down the mountain to lower elevations and as the sun rises higher into the sky.

(Photo by Guy Sims)

(Photo by VickiSims)

After a few more minutes, we can see more of the brilliant red color on the horizon.

(Photo by VickiSims)

As it got lighter, we could see we were above a layer of cotton-like puffy clouds and the gorgeous colors of red, orange and gold from the sun started to peek above them.

(Photo by VickiSims)

The colors change from reds and oranges to more gold and yellow and we now have enough light to see what is around us.

(Photo by VickiSims)

Part of the enjoyment of the experience of watching the sunrise at Haleakala was the Hawaiian chant to the sun performed at sunrise by Nan Cabatbat, a park service cultural educator.

(Photo by VickiSims)

As it starts to get light, we can see how many people are gathered to watch the sunrise.

(Photo by VickiSims)

The park service does not allow the tour companies to start the bike ride from inside the national park, so there is designated area just outside the gate where the bike tour operators can park and everyone can get their bike to start back down the road from the volcano. I wish we had more pictures from the downhill bike ride, but we only took a few. From the top of the volcano to sea level there are 5 different climate zones, so the weather can change suddenly. We were thankful for the rain gear, because we did pass through a brief rainstorm. Here is one photo we took shortly after getting our bikes. The numerous hairpin turns of the road are visible as well as the breathtaking views of the island and ocean beyond.