From the top of Haleakala Volcano. About three quarts of the way up. This is the last of the trees that you will see.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. The mouth of the dragon.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. A lot of trails to hike in the throat of the beast.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. The silvery hairs, fleshy leaves, and low-growing rosette form of the Haleakala silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) allow it to survive in hot, dry climates like the aeolian desert cinder slopes of the crater. Silverswords live between 3 and 90 years or more. They flower once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk, and then die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. The silvery hairs, fleshy leaves, and low-growing rosette form of the Haleakala silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. macrocephalum) allow it to survive in hot, dry climates like the aeolian desert cinder slopes of the crater. Silverswords live between 3 and 90 years or more. They flower once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk, and then die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. Looking south to the big island of Hawaii. Mauna Kea to the left is the tallest volcano in the chain of islands. Mauna Loa to the right last erupted in 1984.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. The Haleakalā High Altitude Observatory Site. 10,000 feet above sea level. Sunset.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. The Haleakalā High Altitude Observatory Site. 10,000 feet above sea level. Sunset.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. The Haleakalā High Altitude Observatory Site. 10,000 feet above sea level. Sunset.

From the top of Haleakala Volcano. 10,000 feet above sea level makes for a clear shot.