After taking it easy at the hotel yesterday I wanted to explore the garden island a little. The secret falls at the north fork of the Wailua river seemed appropriate for a first excursion. I packed some water into my rucksack and took the car to go to Kamokila Village. The concierge at the hotel told me I would be easiest to rent a kayak there to go upriver to the start of the secret waterfall trail.
The road to Kamokila Village let's me wish I had ordered a SUV on Kauai as well. Very steep and not very well maintained. I count myself lucky it wasn't raining as I can imagine that during heavy rains the road will become impassable. Renting a kayak was pretty simple. The had a nice video explaining the route to the trail.
After settling down in the kayak somewhat gingerly as I didn't want to fall in right on the jetty is was on my own. Kayaking takes some getting used to if one hasn't done this in a while. The ride upriver was nevertheless pleasant as the Wailua river is very calm here. After no more than 10 minutes I reached the landing where the trail to the secret fall starts. Easily recognisable as there were at least 30 kayaks already beached.
But at least for the first 15 min me and a couple were the only ones on the trail. I wandered through high sugar cane plantations like through a tropical forest. Every so often the view opened up and allowed for layers on green climbing up the steep slope of the valley.
However the climate takes some getting used to. 30° Celsius with a humidity of nearly 100% isn't something one would want to be running in.
After crossing the river through some shallows the trail became a little more challenging. Muddy slopes changed with a path littered with roots and fallen trees.
But after about 20 min of climbing and trying not to slip in the mud the secret falls came into sight. And what a sight it is! The falls are easily 25 meters high and fully accessible on the bottom. The pool is never so deep that one can not stand. Here practically all the people who's kayak I've seen were splashing in the water of the pool making pictures and being brave by standing directly under the falls.
The way back was equally pleasant except for the groups of tourist I had to pass by. Crossing the shallows was very welcome as it got even hotter than in the morning.
This afternoon I intend to go to the southwest coast to watch the sunset and visit the Spouting Horn at the south coast of Kauai.
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