Hiking the Judd Trail & Jackass Ginger Pool on Oʻahu

Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km

The Judd Trail is one of the more popular hikes on Oʻahu because of the beautiful Jackass Ginger Pool only a short distance from the trailhead.

Judd Trailhead Parking

Parking for the Judd Trail is located on the side of Nuʻuanu Pali Drive, but out of caution, consider the Judd/ Nuʻuanu Trailhead to be a high-crime area for petty theft. Never leave bags or anything valuable in your car.

To add to this warning, never park at this trailhead with expired registration/ safety check. HPD and towing companies target this area for cars that they can legally tow if one of these is expired.

Google Maps Directions: Judd Trailhead

Judd Trailhead Parking

Judd Trailhead Parking

 

Hiking the Judd Trail

The Judd Trail/ Jackass Ginger Pool is a relatively flat hike, with one stream crossing that can be challenging if the water is running high.

Judd Trailhead

At this first split, stay to the right.

The Nuʻuanu Stream crossing will be shortly ahead.

Judd Trail

Judd Trail

Judd Trail

Nuʻuanu Stream

Unless the stream is running high, there is usually a way to cross on the rocks without getting your shoes wet.

Nuʻuanu Stream

Judd Loop Trail

On the far side of the stream, you can either go left around the upper side of the loop or right to get to the Jackass Ginger Pond only 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away.

However, if you’re planning on hiking the entire Judd Loop, I recommend going left on the upper trail first for a few reasons.

First, the upper half of the trail is slightly longer, so when you reach Jackass Ginger, it’s a great spot to stop and cool down before completing the hike. Second, the Judd Trail can be very muddy, which is why Jackass Ginger makes for a convenient place to clean off since most of the hike is already behind you.

Judd Loop Trail

Upper Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Upper Judd Loop

In these photos, I went left on the upper half of the Judd Loop Trail first.

Upper Judd Loop Trail

Upper Judd Loop Trail

Upper Judd Loop Trail

These Cook Pines are some of the most beautiful sections on the entire hike, and they make for a great place to take photos when the late afternoon light is just right!

Upper Judd Loop Trail

Upper Judd Loop Trail

Judd-Nuʻuanu Junction

After 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Judd Loop Trail meets with the lower Nuʻuanu Trailhead.

That being said, the Nuʻuanu Trail is more or less a connector hike to the much larger network of trails up on Tantalus.

Personally, I think that the Nuʻuanu Trail makes for a great workout hike, with amazing views once you get to the upper sections of the trail. However, the Nuʻuanu Trail makes for an even better connector trail for longer day hikes, such as Lulumahu Ridge or the Pali Notches to Puʻu Kōnāhuanui Ridge Trail on the Koʻolau Summit Trail (KST).

Read My Separate Post: Nuʻuanu Trail

Nuʻuanu Trail Junction

Nuʻuanu Trail

Upper Judd Loop Trail

Upper Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop

Toward the back of the loop, the Judd Trail will make a hard turn back to the beginning and the Jackass Ginger Pool shortly ahead.

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Jackass Ginger Pool (Kahuailanawai)

The easiest way to find the Jackass Ginger Pool is to listen to the sound of the stream getting louder.

At the split in the photo below, the pool and waterfall are only a short walk away.

Jackass Ginger Pool Junction

The Trail Down to Jackass Ginger

Jackass Ginger Pool (Kahuailanawai)

After the Jackass Ginger Pool, there is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) to the Judd Trailhead.

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Lower Judd Loop Trail

Judd Loop Junction

This is where the Judd Trail completes loop adjacent to the Nuʻuanu Stream crossing.

Judd Loop Split

Judd Trail

Nuʻuanu Stream

I usually find the second crossing back over the Nuʻuanu Stream to be easier because of one tall rock that is easier to jump off of on the far side of the stream.

Nuʻuanu Stream Crossing

Judd Trailhead

Native Plants on the Judd Trail

The Judd Trail is a very low-elevation trail for Hawaiʻi, meaning that the trail is predominately non-native/ invasive plants. I think the only native species that I noticed was a few Hau trees.

If you would like to learn more about native Hawaiian plants and better trails to see them, check out my separate post below.

Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide

Hau - (Hibiscus tiliaceus)

@noahawaii

Hi,

Iʻm a self-taught adventure photographer living on the island of Oʻahu.

@noahawaii

https://noahlangphotography.com/
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