I realize that most wedding couples and their guests do not come to Maui to hike their butts off. 16 muscle-cramping miles down a volcano is not their idea of a good time. And that’s OK.

Then there is that select masochist few like yours truly who’s idea of a good time is to hit the trails…

Yesterday a friend and I went on a grueling Maui hike that started up at the very summit of Haleakala and went down the Skyline Trail on the south ridge of the active-dormant volcano ending up in Poli Poli State Forest.

It’s a day hike that totals about 16 miles through arid martian landscape above the clouds with views in all directions (big island to the south east, Kaho’olave to the south west, Lanai and Molokai to the west, down

to grass lands, back up through piping hot lava fields, gulches, herds of mountain goats, feral pigs burrowing in the dirt, mystical (and misty) forests, singing birds, charred forests (from a forest fire several years ago), new growth forests (the little saplings growing from the ashes), and on and on.

Budget about 7-8 hours of hiking with several breaks.

Things to wear or pack in a day backpack:

1. sunscreen (high SPF!)
2. 2 liters of water per person
3. 2 or more trail bars per person
4. 2 sandwiches per person
5. t-shirt
6. a rain jacket (I had a GoreTex jacket with me)
7. cell phone (there is reception) so you can communicate with your pickup ride in Poli Poli.

Ask your ride to drive up to the top of WaiPoli Road at the hunter’s check-in station.

Trails to stay on (and do yourself a favor and STAY ON THE TRAILS):

• On top of Haleakala walk down the service road towards science city (where the telescopes are);
• Take the Skyline trail down until you see signs for Mamane Trail (pronounced Mah-mah-nay).
• Take that Mamane trail down until you hit the natural lava cave.
• Take Upper Waiakoa Loop for 6.3 miles until you hit the Upper Waiakoa Loop sign.
• Head to the hunter’s check-in station.

Have fun and be safe! Here are pictures from our grinding, arduous trek.

Aloha and I am looking forward to meeting you soon on Maui (whether at your wedding or on a hike together!).

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Stephan is known as the “Live Webcast Guy on Maui” and is the author of “59 Maui Wedding Secrets Revealed: The Essential Guide to Planning Your Perfect Maui Wedding.” Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information on live webcasts in Hawaii. Go to http://LiveMauiWebcasts.com Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephanboeker