Wednesday/Thursday hike/camping: Baan Nasa

Matt (one of our regulars) is organising a special hiking and camping trip, Wednesday 17th to Thursday 18th October. See this link for further details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1119072708241194/

 

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18/10/14_Dragon Peak loop

Dragon’s eye view

Let’s go dragon hunting in the Misty Mountains. (Or is it only misty at my house again?)

This is a volunteer-led hike and you are responsible for your own safety at all times. Please read the full hike description/requirements/dangers sections and consider your preparedness. Please don’t link/repost on social media. 

This hike starts with a 2+hour uphill climb, up to the 1,500 m ‘Dragon’s Peak’.  We’ll take the first, steepest, section, quite slowly but it is quite a long high climb.  Parts of the subsequent 1-2-hour downhill section are quite steep and slippery – there was one full somersault and one broken trekking stick last time – but the views through the shady ridge-top trees are usually worth the effort.  Overall hiking distance ‘only’ about 9 kms, but 700-800m of total elevation gain. Many junctions on the way up, so please stay together with the group.

Probably 4-5 hours, including snack stop. Aprés hike lunch in our regular cafe in the village.

Dragon’s Den*?

Meeting point:  We will meet at 07.20 am in front of Susco petrol station on H.118 (the road out to Doi Saket and Chiangrai, see map below) opposite Suzuki for an 07.30 am start to the trailhead.

We will share vehicles for a 45 mins drive, out along H.118, past Doi Saket, turn right onto H.3005 past the (now re-opened) Doi Saket hot springs, and then left to follow the Mae Lai stream to our hike starting point at our regular Pang-Has coffee shop/restaurant. We should minimise the number of vehicles we take and park considerately near the coffee shop.

If you want to join, just turn up at the meeting place on time. No need to let us know. Seats in cars not guaranteed. No groups please and no unprepared hikers.

 

Please bring/prepare:

• at least 2 litres of water or rehydration drink, and energy snacks/first lunch
• strong legs & lungs for the climb up; sticks recommended for steep downhill
• sunhat, suncreen, insect repellant, long sleeves/pants, rainwear recommended
• strong footwear with good grip and ankle support
• 100 baht for your driver and a change of shirt/clothes, if car-sharing
• plenty of energy, enthusiasm, team spirit and good humour

* A zip wire operator, called Dragon Flight, operates in the area. No dragons were encountered on the exploration hike, though we did meet this relative:

 

18/10/07_Wat Doi Suthep to Ban Khun Chang Khian and back

We will follow what was once a vehicle track from near Wat Doi Suthep up to Ban Khun Chiang Khian, near the top of Doi Pui, and back. It is a pretty path, but at present is obstructed in many places by fallen trees, so that quite a lot of stooping and clambering will be required.

We will carpool from our meeting place near the Huay Kaeow Arboretum to the carparks below Wat Doi Suthep. The walking is expected to take about three hours upwards and two-and-a-half downwards. We will take about half an hour for refreshments in Ban Khun Chiang Kian, and some of us may spend a little longer for a meal and drinks on our return to the the Wat Doi Suthep base camp.

Hike initiator:  PGB

Meeting Place

Meet at 07:30  in the car park of the Huay Kaeow Arboretum (also known as the exercise park) for an 07:40 departure.

• Head straight out from the moat 3.5 km towards Doi Suthep on Huay Kaeow Road.
• The arboretum is on the left after the front entrance to Chiang Mai University and just before the entrance to the Zoo.
• The car park of the arboretum is at the end of the park near the zoo.

See the maps below (click to enlarge them).

The location of arboretum from the moat of the old city

Advice

As per the normal advice (see tabs at top of page), except:

• 50 to offer your driver if you are sharing a car to and from to Wat Doi Suthep. More money to buy refreshments, and/or bring your own.

18/09/30_Porcupine Falls Loop

Please drive/ride carefully through the morning mist and get ready for rain during the hike. No views expected. 

An old favourite, local, low level hike of two halves, with around 400m of steepish altitude gain for maybe 90 minutes over the first 2.5 kms, passing by Chiang Khian waterfall on the way up to the Hmong orchards, but then mostly gently descending, though with occasional steeper sections, for about 4.5 kms, passing Porcupine Falls above the 700-year dam. A total loop distance of around 7.5 kms.  A few slippery stream crossings and narrow stony/overgrown paths above sharp drops need to be negotiated.  A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required.  We will walk at a slowish pace, probably taking around 3-4 hrs in total, and should be back in time for lunch.  We are unlikely to see the porcupines I met on this loop once.  (Stronger hikers may want to continue higher, perhaps on up to gurgling crossroads and Doi Pha Kha, at 1,135m, if they know the way there and back.)

If you want to join

After reading our ‘dangers’ and ‘what to do’ tabs, just turn up at the meeting place on the day. There is no need to let us know you are coming. No groups please. No re-advertising on social media please.

Meeting Place

We will meet before 8 am where Huay Chang Khian meets Soi Chang Khian (just before the scout camp at the end of the soi) from where the hike will also begin/end.   (18°49’25.22″N,  98°56’55.18″E, ish)

• Head out from town on Huay Kaew Rd, NW towards Doi Suthep.
• Turn right, N, onto the Irrigation Canal Rd opposite the Phucome Hotel.
• Take the second soi left, at the next traffic lights, then right at the t-junction onto the main Soi Chang Khian.
• Continue along the main soi, bearing left at the mini roundabout, for over 2 kms, almost to the end of the soi.  Ignore all turns off the main soi onto side sois, and follow signs for Neo Cafe and Wild Coffee/Bistro.  The meeting/start point is not far after the cafes.

See the map below (click to enlarge).

Map to meeting place

Advice

Please bring :

• at least 1-2 litres of water/rehydration drink, energy snacks
• strong, enclosed boots/footwear, hat, sunblock, rain protection
• trekking pole or stick recommended for steep climb/descent
• long sleeves/pants recommended for long grass and spiky/itchy undergrowth
• plenty of energy, enthusiasm, team spirit, good humour (& no hangover)

2018/09/23_Mae Nai/ Mae Sa Valley Loop

The weather forecast is for sun and high temperatures and the last 1 km or so of the hike will be in the open. Please bring plenty of water (at least 2.5 liters recommended) along with a hat and sun screen.

Total distance about 12 km. Total elevation gain 500 meters. Expected duration 5 hours. One steep scramble down into the valley of the Mae Sa stream, but with good hand holds plentiful. Otherwise gradients moderate and footing good.

We will start this hike in the lower part of Mae Nai Village, close to the triangular junction where we usually turn left to reach the upper part of the village. Initially we follow a road that gets progressively smaller until it eventually becomes a dirt track. The road rises quite steeply such that by the time we reach our turn-off into the forest we will have completed most of the day’s climbing.

We turn onto a small, but nevertheless distinct (in most places) trail that passes through forest, crosses a couple of small streams and follows a ridge line with some nice forest views. Eventually this trail reaches the Mae Sa stream just to the right (east) of the Elephant Camp.

From here we follow a trail along the right-hand bank of the Mae Sa Stream. At one point we have to descend the steep valley slope to a parallel trail that follows the stream at a lower level. The point of descent is close to the highest of the Mae Sa waterfalls, which can be visited and from here the tourist trail can be seen on the opposite bank.

Our trail stays at the same elevation as the stream bed drops away, so we will be contouring along the valley side some distance above the stream, which can be heard roaring in the valley below. There is one side trail that may lead down to the stream which we did not have time to investigate.

The trail then passes through agricultural area before entering the wealthy suburban streets of Mae Nai. Some of the properties are a wonder to behold. The last 1 km or so follows a main road back to the vehicles and will be in full sunshine unless the clouds return.

Hike Initiators: Richard and Peter

Please read the general information on this site, as well as this particular post. If you still think this hike is for you, then just turn up at the meeting place on the day and time. Seats in cars are usually available, but can not be guaranteed.

Meeting Point and Directions:

We will meet at the parking lot in front of  the 700-Year Sports Stadium on Canal (Chonpratan) Road (Highway 121) for a 07.30 departure. Note: this parking lot is not the one inside the stadium complex, but a smaller one in front immediately adjoining Canal Road.

Meeting Point in front of 700-Year Sports Stadium

The plan is to car share and travel in convoy all the way from the meeting point to the hike start point in Mae Nai Village.

Advice

Please bring:

• At least 2.5 litres of water/ rehydration drink.
• A snack.
• For passengers: 50 Baht towards fuel costs and a change of clothes/ footware.
• Protection from sun, insects and rain.
• Energy, enthusiasm and good humour.

2018/09/16 Choice of hikes

This Sunday, alternative hikes are planned. There is a longer and harder one out of town, which will take most of the day; and a shorter one on the lower slopes of Doi Suthep National Park, which should be over by lunchtime. Scroll down to read the next two posts!

2018/09/16 Ban San Lom Choi short forest loop

The hike is on (despite a slight early-morning shower in places)

This is a shorter, easier and (for most of us) nearer hike: it should take 2-3 hours at a gentle pace. Even if you join others for coffee-shop refreshments afterwards, you can be home by lunchtime.

We will enter the Doi Suthep National Park through one of the less-used access points, near San Lom Choi village, about 5km SW of Nimmanhaemin. The hike begins in the same way as the one we did up to Bhuping Palace on 12 August, but turns back early, to make a loop in the lower forest slopes. It is not particularly spectacular but a welcome immersion in greenery for people who like this sort of thing. It involves 30-60 minutes of steady climb, before the return part of the loop. The path is clear but may be a little muddy and slippery in places.

Meeting time and place

Time: 07:50 for and 08:00 departure.

We will meet at an open area at the side of Canal Road, near the first set of traffic lights south of Canal Road’s intersection with Suthep Road, on the east side of the road. See map below. We will carpool to the starting point of the hike.

Canal Road meeting point

If you want to join: be sure to have read the general advice on this website, as well as the details in this specific post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the specified place and time. No groups above family size. Places in cars are almost always available but cannot be guaranteed.

Advice: as per the general advice on this site. As ever, bring energy, enthusiasm and good humour!

Hike initiator: Michael