Inside Haleakala Crater - panoramic snapshots of a surreal landscape - Maui Hawaii

Inside Haleakala Crater - panoramic snapshots of a surreal landscape - Maui Hawaii

Hiking down Sliding Sands Trail.

I just spent 24 hours inside one of the quietest places on earth... Haleakala Crater at Haleakala National Park. Staying at the Kapalaoa cabin was a real treat. You'll have to be content with iPhone pics because I was trimming away as much weight as possible for the grueling hike. I just took the iPhone and the flip camera. Got a lot of good video footage!

Hiking down Sliding Sands Trail.

The camera app I used for these photos is called Photosynth - I think it was even free. Very easy to use by just aiming and clicking, and the app stitches a picture together. Of course you need to crop it later for a neat look.

The floor of the crater, near Kapalaoa Cabin.

I can't believe I actually walked across the floor of this crater! It was an experience I will never forget. In case you think the trail was all smooth and nice like this picture, think again! Much of it was rough and rubbly, and a lot of it was loose sand which isn't as easy as you would think. Most of the time you're either climbing up or down hill too, and that will wear you down.

When you come to Maui you really must visit Haleakala National Park. You don't have to go hiking inside to admire the views. Take home some memories like nothing else you can imagine.