We started at the Haleakala Visitor Center at 9,744 feet and hiked down 3.9 miles to the Sliding Sands Trail. Turned left and hiked 1.3 miles where we hiked around a crater and then headed south for 2 miles down the trail to Holua cabin/campsite. This was up and down low hills and ridges. At the site of the cabin, we switch-backed up the crater wall for 3.7 miles, climbing up harrowing cliffs for an elevation gain of about 1,600 feet to 8,000 feet, where the car was parked, at the "You are here" sign on this map.