1. Hosmer Grove.
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This first stop on the highway to the summit is thick with trees from temperate zones — cedar, fir, Australian eucalyptus, pine, cypress. . . . The grove is a reminder that, early in this century, forester Ralph S. Hosmer and others introduced such alien species in the vain hope they could foster a timber industry.
2. Park headquarters.
Farther up the highway, highly protected plantings of silversword and Haleakala geranium — unique to the volcano — have rescued these endemic species from extinction.
3. Kalahaku Overlook.
This pullout, higher still, offers views of the vast Haleakala crater and more of the spiky, round silversword plants.
4. Kaluu o Ka Oo.
Venturesome hikers get their first encounter with one of the big pink and gray cinder cones that punctuate the crater floor.
5. Puu Ulaula.
(“Red Hill”) is the summit and provides the ultimate view of the crater from a height of 10,023 ft. At sunrise and sunset, the cloud-spangled expanse can be enthralling. On a clear day, visitors see Big Island volcanoes, while neighboring Lanai and Kahoolawe pop into view, looking as if they’re soaring on a lower tier of sky.
6. `Ohe`o stream in Kipahulu
Pools and waterfalls along the stream and rain forests in the upper regions fill this seaside strip of the park with vivid greens and blues — a lush contrast to the cinders far above.