Water: Hōlua and Palikū campsites water available nearby. The water is non-potable and must be filtered or treated before drinking. In times of drought, all water must be carried in. There is no water available on the trail.

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Leave-No-Trace: Follow Leave No Trace principles. Camp at designated campgrounds. Use pit toilets when at campgrounds. Do not throw trash in the pit toilets.  Outside of the campgrounds, all human waste must be buried at least 6 inches deep at at least 150 feet from water sources, camp areas, and trails. Do all washing at least 100 feet from water. Do not put any soup in water (even biodegradable and natural soup pollutes). Carry out all trash. Do not burn or bury toilet paper or trash. 

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Flora Considerations: Haleakala is a fragile environment. Stay on the trails.

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Fauna Considerations: Only birds and insects are native to Haleakala. The Nēnē, an endangered species of goose, makes its home in parts of the crater, like Palikū. Keep your distance from the birds and don't feed them. The Nēnē can be aggressive when nesting and will chase you if you get too close.

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Trail Specific Considerations: Temperatures vary from 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Plan for rain at all times of year. If it is stormy, winds can exceed 80 miles per hour with temperatures dropping well below freezing. Plan for almost 100% exposure during this hike. Also consider that you do start at 9,700 ft elevation. Like any wilderness trip, you accept a certain amount of risk when going on your hike. You are responsible for assessing how comfortable you feel with that risk and understanding your own physical abilities.