Bamboo Forest Huelo

Huelo, Maui

There are many areas on Maui with bamboo, but not many that you can hike into a a fill forest of bamboo. Huelos bamboo forest has a maze of trails that lead to several waterfalls and lots of greenery. The experience of hiking through a bamboo forest is very humbling, as if you were a flea on a camels back, the rolling terrain is lined by row upon row of tall green bamboo that rustles in the wind. At a Glance: Highlights: An easy to find and popular hiking location at 7 mile marker of the famed Hana Highway, the bamboo forest spans several miles up a watershed with waterfalls and swimming. Location: Just past mile marker 6 and 7 on the Hana Highway, 15 miles from Pa'ia Activity Level: Moderate to intense depending on how far you walk and trail conditions. Expect slippery wet muddy trail conditions. Equipment: Sturdy shoes, rain gear, water and food. Warnings!: The upper portions of the trail are unmaintained and cross into river access areas that can be flash flood prone. Avoid hiking hear when it is raining or the inland mountains are dark and clouded. Where to start: Access to the hikes is roadside through a broken old fence in the hundred yards past the sharpest turn in the road past mile marker 6. Cars will be parked on both sides of road. The trail begins by winding inland through the bamboo until you reach a steep downhill slope worn by foot traffic. Often muddy, the trail provides a good agility test for what lays ahead and you will begin to notice that hiking here is often a controlled slide. Use the edges of the trail and hold the living green bamboo as a natural hand railing. At the bottom of the hill there is a plank across a small drainage canal, then the trail splits for about 25 yards, then reunites at the stream crossing. This stream floods often so look carefully at the water level and color. Brown unclear water is indicative of a flood, if it is raining or has been raining and the water is brown then turn around and avoid the danger. If the water is running clean and the stream rocks are visible, "rock hop" your way across the boulders to the trail. At this point you will walk paralleling the stream on your left, until you come to the base of waterfall #1. This pool is shallow but beautiful, and makes for great photos. Those wishing to continue further will notice a hillside worn by foot traffic on the left side of stream as you look at the waterfall. Make your way up the sloped trail and you will continue upstream this time paralleling the stream which will be on your right as you walk 150 yards to the largest and best waterfall in the valley. Upon reaching waterfall #2, you will find the biggest and most swimmable pool on this hike. Enjoy it, and swim carefully as Hawaiian streams have a an unpredictable underwater topography that can have hidden rocks and broken tree limbs beneath the surface. The trail does continue on to a third waterfa…