28Feb2003
Having already done one of the commercial guided bike rides down the volcano on the paved road, I decided, during our last trip, that doing our own ride down the "backside" of Haleakala would be a way cool trip. The road actually follows the S.E. ridge of Haleakala, a line of cinder cones. We started at the summit parking lot, about 9,950 feet, with our $12.00 rentals. This picture is at about 8,600 feet. The Island in the background is Kahoolawe. The first 8 or so miles was dirt. The first mile being VERY loose cinder and gravel. Total mileage down to the highway at 3,000 feet was about 18 miles. We then had to bike 2 more miles back (one mile uphill - UGH!) to the main road which leads up to the summit so we could get a ride back up to the summit to get our car. The weather was clear and beautiful. We got to pass through all the many micro-climates on the way down. It is a most excellent trip and I would highly recommend it as long as one has a bike with very good brakes.
Having already done one of the commercial guided bike rides down the volcano on the paved road, I decided, during our last trip, that doing our own ride down the "backside" of Haleakala would be a way cool trip. The road actually follows the S.E. ridge of Haleakala, a line of cinder cones. We started at the summit parking lot, about 9,950 feet, with our $12.00 rentals. This picture is at about 8,600 feet. The Island in the background is Kahoolawe. The first 8 or so miles was dirt. The first mile being VERY loose cinder and gravel. Total mileage down to the highway at 3,000 feet was about 18 miles. We then had to bike 2 more miles back (one mile uphill - UGH!) to the main road which leads up to the summit so we could get a ride back up to the summit to get our car. The weather was clear and beautiful. We got to pass through all the many micro-climates on the way down. It is a most excellent trip and I would highly recommend it as long as one has a bike with very good brakes. 
