It grew dark as we entered the bamboo forest
As Jill and I hiked along the Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park, it suddenly grew dark as we entered the bamboo forest. We knew that there would be this forest of bamboo, but what we did not expect was the density and height of the bamboo. I took this photo to capture the narrow gaps of sunlight that could be seen by looking straight up. The bamboo was 30 to 40 feet tall throughout, and some of the shoots were 4+ inches in diameter.
The Pipiwai Trail culminated with Waimoku Falls. This 400' behemoth of a waterfall is a sight to behold, and you can read all about it here. The journey in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park is one that I will never forget. We were nearing hour ten on the Road to Hana when we returned to the car, and we were gassed. The final two hour stretch of highway back to the resort was beautiful (and taken in entirely from the comfortable seat of our Jeep!).
Did you know that bamboo is actually a grass? They are some of the fastest growing plants in the world, and some species can grow as quickly as one inch every forty minutes. Before this trip, I had seen bamboo grown ornamentally, but I had never seen a patch of bamboo in the wild. Although bamboo is not native to Hawai'i, it grows very successfully there. The piece that really gets me is the density of the bamboo forest; it would be so challenging to try to run through it.
Some of the largest bamboo plants have been known to grow to 100 feet tall! I guess the forest we were in was relatively short with that in mind, but it still was stark to see. The majority of a bamboo's full height is grown during its first year of life. From then on, the plant typically does not grow taller, and instead simply begins to harden.
It was so dense in the bamboo forest!
You could barely see blue sky through the leafy tops of the bamboo.
The bamboo forest was an unexpected encounter for Jill and I. It made the hike to Waimoku Falls all the more special. We both were experiencing our first bamboo forest and all the splendor that came with it. Looking to the right or the left of the trail, you could only see maybe 15 to 20 feet before you hit a solid wall of bamboo. Looking up towards the sky, you could make out some blue sky through the leafy tops of the bamboo shoots.
Haleakala was special throughout. From the Kipahulu district, which is where we were for this hike, or the summit area of the mountain, which I'm sure I'll highlight in future galleries; Haleakala National Park is a great place to visit.
0 Comments