The name Seven Sacred Pools is actually a misnomer - there are dozens of pools in the gulch, each one fed by a series of waterfalls and draining into the ocean nearby. A large stream runs through the area and is crossed by an open bridge, through which visitors can pass to explore the other side. Once you cross (and pay the $10 parking fee), you can access the rest of the park, particularly the winding trail that leads to the peak of Haleakala.