Rainmaker Mountain

Rainmaker Mountain, Mount Pioa, stands at 523 metres directly above the eastern side of Pago Pago harbour, and it does what its name says: the trade wind piles against it and drops the rain that makes Pago Pago one of the wettest harbours in the world, with the town below regularly under cloud while other parts of the island are dry. It is a national natural landmark and its three peaks are visible from most of the harbour.

What you actually see

• The three peaks - the summits rising directly above the harbour's eastern side.
• The rain effect - the trade wind hitting the mountain and dropping its water.
• The harbour setting - Pago Pago's drowned crater below the slopes.
• The natural landmark status - the designation covering the mountain.

When to go

May to September is the drier season, though the mountain makes its own weather year round. Cloud sits on the peaks most days. Mornings are clearest.

Honest expectations

There is no maintained trail to the summit and the slopes are steep and slippery. Cloud hides the peaks much of the time. This is a mountain to look at rather than climb.

Nearby

Pago Pago is below, and Vatia is over the ridge north.