Hey everyone,
I arrive on 7/30 and leave on 8/6, and I had a few questions about Haleakala. Is it better to go for sunrise or sunset? I'm not a morning person, but I would go for sunrise if it's that much better. Also, how is the bike ride down?

I've never done the sunset but it's on my agenda for our next trip. I've had bad luck with sunrises. The first one was totally fogged in and the second one was too clear (can it be too clear?) to get good pictures, but the view was wonderful. Getting up way early to stand in the wind and cold to maybe see the sunrise is way down on my list now. At least for the sunset you can see the clouds before you start heading up.

Thanks.

Prefer sunrise - generally, fewer clouds and fewer people. (But then I'm also a morning person). Would think sunset should be just as spectacular, though. Bike ride down is nice and much better than car IMO.

There are WAY fewer people for the sunset, it's MUCH easier to drive up in the daylight (esp. for first-timers), and it's not 32 degrees! We've never had a sunrise that wasn't totally fogged in, and the colors and clouds of the sunsets are amazing. Plus, no peletons of bikes coming back down. I recommend the pullouts on the west side (near the summit). Go up late afternoon or early evening, view the volcano, then go down aways and enjoy!

Again, thanks.

I agree with Sylvia3. Make sure you drive Hana, too.