Part 4 of the Makiki Saga introduces the very easy Tantalus Arboretum Trail and Nahuina Trail. I haven't done these trails yet. To add to the drama, I added the Makiki Valley Loop today which was featured on the entry titled Makiki pt. 1 although I didn't realize it at the time.
In the entry titled Makiki pt. 3, I tried to find the Tanatlus Arboretum Trail because I read that it was a very easy trail and I wanted to take the kids on that hike last time. However, I couldn't find the trailhead and ended up at the Moleka trailhead instead. Today, I decided that there were no excuses, I was in no rush being summer vacation and all. I just wanted to find the trailhead and complete the trail as it would put a checkmark by my list of accomplishing the Makiki Trail System. I started on Tantalus Drive and was very observant focusing on the parking areas. When a parking area is in sight on Tantalus, there usually is a trail nearby. I drove for a little while, in the corner of my eye, there it was. The directions given from the Honolulu Mauka Trail System website were not very good. It just says the trail will be the first trail encountered on Tanatlus and located on the right of the street. What crappy directions! There is only one way to find the trailhead, look for the white sign 3300 on Tantalus Drive. Its right by that sign. The trail is short, about 0.25 miles. It was raining so I walked it at slippery pace. I also timed myself. Nine minutes, can you believe it takes me 9 minutes to walk 0.25 miles. I know it was wet and muddy, but I guess I'm not the fast pace hiker, I thought I was. That would be 36 minutes for a mile, boy am I slow. The trail is lush. The picture to the left visually describes it.
I jumped in my car and drove further up Tantalus to the Nahuina Trail. The trail is located behind the guardrail right before the one lane road. Parking is before the trail.
I jumped out of my car and started hiking Nahuina. There are a lot of lazy switchbacks on this trail. Its pretty relaxing. The end of the Nahuina trail intersects with The Makiki Valley trail. This actually starts the Makiki Valley Loop. From there, you walk about 1/2 mile to the Kaneaole trail. I remember walking up Kaneaole trail last time and it was a huffer and puffer. This time I would go down the Kaneaole trail which would be way easier. Also, last time on the Kaneaole trail, I heard what appeared to sound like a waterfall. Since it was raining in Tantalus, I kept my focus on the sound of running water. I walked down the trail and a bench appears. I sat on the bench and ate a snack. While eating, I heard rushing water slamming against something. I knew it! It must be a waterfall.
I could have crossed the stream then and there, but decided that the best picture would be at the base of the waterfall. I peered through the vegetation hoping to get a glimpse of the bottom of the falls, but it was too overgrown. So I went down the hill trying to find a sub trail leading down to the falls , but the trail contours away from the stream. Frustrated, I walked back up the trail to where the bench was located and crossed the stream. I threw my red poncho on the ground to indicate where I crossed the stream.
I walked towards the embankment on the left side of the falls to where the falls started to spill. I walked as close to the ledge as possible. I ended up about 15 feet away from the falls and took a good picture of the falls cascading and plummeting onto the rocks below. Aw shit a waterfall with no name, I'll call it Kaneaole Falls because of the Kaneaole stream that produces it. It's about 20 feet high and it was gushing on this day.
On the way down the hill, you can hear multiple waterfalls, however since the trail veers away from the stream it would be difficult to find these waterfalls. The best way would be to get onto the stream and rock hop your way, which may be difficult. The Kaneaole trail ends at the Forestry & Wildlife Baseyard and the Maunalaha trail appears. Last time, I took this trail from the top of the mountain to the bottom and ended up at the Forestry & Wildlife Baseyard. This time I did the opposite. It was freaking exhausting. This trail does not let up, you keep on going up and up for 18 minutes. I was sweating like a mutha. I ended up on the Makiki Valley trail and in my car.
The picture at the bottom of this page represents the Makiki Valley Loop. It's only about a 2 mile trail, but offers a good workout no matter which way you go. I did both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions and in my opinion the counterclockwise route is the harder one.
The after hike lunch was at McDonald's. I wanted to eat at a different restaurant but was so hungry for some reason. I ate one of their sirloin burgers, which tasted pretty good.