Hike and Hut on Haleakala
About 30 miles of hiking trails thread their way through Haleakala National Park on Maui. And with an affordable $10 entrance fee per car, a geologic jaunt just might make for a perfect budget-minded day. Just grab a picnic lunch at the grocery, strap on your hiking boots, and step out into an incredibly diverse and magnificent wilderness with ecosystems ranging from stark volcanic landscapes to to tropical rainforests.
Just think – you’ll be able to tell your friends back home that you hiked on the tallest mountain in the world — at least that’s what many geologists claim. Though Haleakala “only” rises 10,025 feet above sea level, another 36,000 feet is submerged under Pacific waters. Compare this total elevation of 46,025 feet to Mt. Everest’s mere 29,029!
Combine your park exploration with an affordable overnight stay in one of its historic huts — just $70/night for the entire cabin. For 4 people, that works out to just $17.50/night! To learn how to register, visit www.nps.gov/hale.