Waihee Ridge Trail
Waihee Ridge Trail takes you along a narrow spine of the West Maui Mountains, rewarding the climb with sweeping views in nearly every direction, from deep jungle gorges and cascading waterfalls to the ocean, the central isthmus, and Haleakala on clear days. The trail itself becomes a compositional element, winding ahead through dense green ridgeline vegetation and offering natural leading lines into the misty peaks. Shoot looking back down the ridge for dramatic depth, or find gaps in the ironwood trees to frame the valleys below. Early morning is strongly recommended, both for the softer light and for beating the clouds that typically build by midday and obscure the longer views. Wear trail shoes and bring a rain layer since conditions change fast. A wide zoom in the 16-35mm range handles the expansive landscapes well, while a longer lens picks out Makamakaole Falls in the distance. (Waihee, Maui, Hawaii, United States)
