Judd Memorial Trail
(Jackass Ginger)

Trailhead

Description: A short valley loop which wanders the thick Nuuanu forest and eventually passes one of the most popular swimholes on Oahu: Jackass Ginger. On your way you'll pass stands of swamp mahogany, bamboo, and guava and enter the Charles S. Judd Memorial Grove of Norfolk pines. It is also an entry point to the Tantalus network of trails which can be accessed via the Nuuanu Trail. What to Expect: This is definitely a forest experience as you're surrounded non-stop with trees from the get-go. Jackass Ginger Pool (which is on the return leg of this loop hike) is perhaps one of the most used swimming holes year-round. Giant boulders create a waterfall cascade and one of the mossy, algae-carpeted boulders makes for a terrific waterslide. There you will likely spot folks jumping into the pool from the nearby boulders or using the rope-swing attached to an overhead tree. Beware of the throngs of mosquitoes near the stream! Depending on stream conditions, the deepest point at Jackass Ginger pool is about 8 feet. A private residence along Nuuanu Pali Drive shares its fenced-in backyard with the grassy stream bank. The Nuuanu Trail connects along the upper portion of the loop. Its trailhead is marked with posted signs and the trail reaches its junction with the Pauoa Flats trail about 800-feet above. Trailhead Location: You should be able to see the Na Ala Hele signs from the parking area after Nuuanu Pali Drive. Starting from the concrete barriers and posted signs, head down to the stream along an obvious path. Once at the stream, the trailhead is on the immediate and opposite bank. Follow the wide path dead ahead (which leads away from the stream) and ignore the side-trails. (The trail on your right will be your return path from the swimming hole.) Accessing the Trail: This is a public trail maintained by Na Ala Hele - there are no gates or landowners to worry about. To reach the trailhead, proceed onto Pali Highway. Assuming you're headed from Honolulu, turn onto Nuuanu Pali Drive (just past Dowsett Avenue), proceed in a Kailua-bound (East) direction, and continue until you pass Poli Hiwa Place to your left. This will be across and just before 4018 Nuuanu Pali Drive. The trail's small parking area, which is just a strip of road-side shoulder big enough for about five cars, is along the right (mauka) side of Nuuanu Pali Drive. Property/Access: Public/open. Public access and trail maintained by Na Ala Hele. Dangers/Other Considerations: As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement. Be aware of torrential stream conditions during rainy weather. Diving into the pool is extremely dangerous and people have gotten hurt doing so.	Trailhead (along Nuuanu Pali Dr)
	Initial Stream Crossing (Nuuanu Stream)
	Upper Loop Section (first 0.25-mile)
	Upper Loop Section (second 0.25-mile)
	Upper Loop Section (Nuuanu Trail Junction)
	Kahuailanawai (Jackass Ginger)