Has anyone done this recently? Left Hana and continued the drive clockwise around the island instead of going back the same way? How was the drive?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

I believe a lot of people do it that way. We stayed overnight in Hana but in the morning continued the road to Oheo Gulch for a dip and waterfall hike and then drove to the Maui Winery. In one day you might not have enough time for all that, but you can certainly continue on rather than turning back, you'll see the scenic change from lush greenery and waterfalls to all the rock and desert like.

The drive is the same as it ever was. The going is slow, there is a 7 mile stretch of unpaved road, which can seem better than the partially paved portions. There are a few hairy cliff-hugging, single-lane moments between Kaupo and Kipahulu. In wet weather it can be dangerous--falling rocks, swollen waterfalls, flash floods, mud and loose gravel--so be aware of weather conditions, not just where you are, but up on Haleakala. Flash floods come from upstream, and it can be raining further uppstream even though it is sunny from where you are.

We went on a beautiful sunny day in July and loved it. Yes, there are several miles which are rough and slow going, but nothing a regular car can't handle. The views are outstanding...it was crystal clear out and we could see to the Big Island and all of South Maui as we began to round north. Haleakala is breathtaking from that side!

love
roxy

hmmm,

I'm typically not a nervous driver...but this makes me shakey...LOL! Having to be on the lookout for falling rocks and flash floods.

So, if it is a good weather day I can probably wake up in Hana and drive through/by the gulch and around the crater in the opposite direction. Guess I'll have to play it by ear. Not going til April, but will definitely keep you posted.

Thanks.

Don't be nwervrous, just use common sense and check the weather before you head out. You can ask at the ranger station at `Oheo, and just as with the ocean, if in doubt, don't go out, or in this case, on.

If rain is coming down by the buckets and you have to drive through swollen streams along the way, maybe you should make other plans. If there was just a big storm, expect that there will be gravel and mud and water on the road. April can be wet. Last April we were stuck in Kipahulu for 5 hours, unable to get into Hana or to go back towards Kaupo. We knew that a storm was coming, but DH was sure we could beat the storm and make it in his big old truck. But he never listens to me anyway...