2019/04/21_Mon Jaem forest loop

Although the pollution levels are declining there may still be considerable variation from one area to another and it is recommended that hikers bring a face mask.

This is a relatively easy hike along the forested ridges of Mon Jaem with (weather permitting) views to the north (Doi Chiang Dao) and south (Doi Pui). The hike will be entirely on dirt roads with lots of shade and with a couple of modest hills and one major viewing point (complete with golden statue of pre-Lanna King Wilangka). We will also meander through a small vineyard (no wine on sale, unfortunately) and through the small settlement of Mon Jaem towards the end of the hike. (Young-at-heart hikers will probably have the option of enjoying a box-cart ride down the long slope of dirt track just before the end point). The hike should take just three to three and a half hours and afterwards we will retire for lunch at Therma Doi restaurant.

Meeting time: Sunday 7.45AM for an 8.00AM start. The car journey should take approx. 40 minutes.

Meeting Point: The car park bordering on Canal Road in front of (but not inside) the 700-Year Stadium complex.

If you want to come: Check that you have read the general conditions and advice on this website, as well at this particular post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the meeting time and place. Lifts in cars are almost always available although they cannot be absolutely guaranteed. Please offer your driver a fuel contribution of THB 100.

Hike leader: SRR

 

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19/04/14 Ban Mae Sapok Waterfall Loop (posting rolled over again)

 

The Hike is ON. The latest AQI reading is “only” 165 which means, like on Wednesday, there is an excellent chance that the PM2.5 reading will be within safe limits. We will test the Pm2.5 level at the hike location but on these indicative AQI levels it will most probably be safe.

This is a relatively easy hike of about 8kms with only 400m ascent on mainly good paths. The hike will start close to the elephant camp and, if any are in residence, this may be a short feeding session before we move on. The first part of the hike meanders up from the river over mainly open farmland. The second part takes us back down to the river and across, with a brief visit to the waterfall where some scenes from the 1980s film Rambo were reputedly filmed, and then back down along the river to the “beach” where we will have a snack break and some hikers may like to have a swim. Another forty minute walk along the river brings us back to the elephant camp at the end of the loop. The hike should take between four to five hours (including snack and swimming time)  and afterwards we will retire to the “elevated” restaurant discovered by Mike on our last visit.

Hike leader: SRR

Meeting Point & Time:
We will meet at 07:20 for 07:30 start at the open area, just past the PTT gas station, when driving southwards on Canal Road from the Suthep Road intersection. The journey to the start point is 52kms and should take at least one hour.

If you want to join:
Read the general advice on this website as well as the specific details in this post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the meeting place on the day and on time. We cannot accommodate groups. Passenger places are usually available in car-pooling but cannot be guaranteed. If you are a passenger, please contribute 100Bht to your driver for fuel etc. and bring a change of clothing for the return journey

Please bring:  See “Things to bring” tab above, but specially consider:

• at least 2-3 litres of water/rehydration drink
• hat/sunblock, as some sections of the hike do not have tree cover
• swimming togs plus towel for potential dip
• for passengers:100 baht towards fuel costs and a change of clothes, footwear
• bags of energy, enthusiasm and a good sense of humour

19/04/07 Ban Mae Sapok Waterfall Loop (posting rolled over)

 

The hike is CANCELLED again, as the latest PM2.5 reading for Mae Wang is 192. It doesn’t seem worth even driving out there to check the conditions for ourselves. Try again next week! 

This is a relatively easy hike of about 8kms with only 400m ascent on mainly good paths. The hike will start close to the elephant camp and, if any are in residence, this may be a short feeding session before we move on. The first part of the hike meanders up from the river over mainly open farmland. The second part takes us back down to the river and across, with a brief visit to the waterfall where some scenes from the 1980s film Rambo were reputedly filmed, and then back down along the river to the “beach” where we will have a snack break and some hikers may like to have a swim. Another forty minute walk along the river brings us back to the elephant camp at the end of the loop. The hike should take between four to five hours (including snack and swimming time)  and afterwards we will retire to the “elevated” restaurant discovered by Mike on our last visit.

Hike leader: SRR

Meeting Point & Time:
We will meet at 07:20 for 07:30 start at the open area, just past the PTT gas station, when driving southwards on Canal Road from the Suthep Road intersection. The journey to the start point is 52kms and should take at least one hour.

If you want to join:
Read the general advice on this website as well as the specific details in this post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the meeting place on the day and on time. We cannot accommodate groups. Passenger places are usually available in car-pooling but cannot be guaranteed. If you are a passenger, please contribute 100Bht to your driver for fuel etc. and bring a change of clothing for the return journey

Please bring:  See “Things to bring” tab above, but specially consider:

• at least 2-3 litres of water/rehydration drink
• hat/sunblock, as some sections of the hike do not have tree cover
• swimming togs plus towel for potential dip
• for passengers:100 baht towards fuel costs and a change of clothes, footwear
• bags of energy, enthusiasm and a good sense of humour

19/03/31 Ban Mae Sapok Waterfall Loop (try again)

 

The hike is CANCELLED again, due to high levels of air pollution.

This is a relatively easy hike of about 8kms with only 400m ascent on mainly good paths. The hike will start close to the elephant camp and, if any are in residence, this may be a short feeding session before we move on. The first part of the hike meanders up from the river over mainly open farmland. The second part takes us back down to the river and across, with a brief visit to the waterfall where some scenes from the 1980s film Rambo were reputedly filmed, and then back down along the river to the “beach” where we will have a snack break and some hikers may like to have a swim. Another forty minute walk along the river brings us back to the elephant camp at the end of the loop. The hike should take between four to five hours (including snack and swimming time)  and afterwards we will retire to the “elevated” restaurant discovered by Mike on our last visit.

Hike leader: SRR

Meeting Point & Time:
We will meet at 07:20 for 07:30 start at the open area, just past the PTT gas station, when driving southwards on Canal Road from the Suthep Road intersection. The journey to the start point is 52kms and should take at least one hour.

If you want to join:
Read the general advice on this website as well as the specific details in this post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the meeting place on the day and on time. We cannot accommodate groups. Passenger places are usually available in car-pooling but cannot be guaranteed. If you are a passenger, please contribute 100Bht to your driver for fuel etc. and bring a change of clothing for the return journey

Please bring:  See “Things to bring” tab above, but specially consider:

• at least 2-3 litres of water/rehydration drink
• hat/sunblock, as some sections of the hike do not have tree cover
• swimming togs plus towel for potential dip
• for passengers:100 baht towards fuel costs and a change of clothes, footwear
• bags of energy, enthusiasm and a good sense of humour

19/03/24_Doi Lanka Noi Loop

This hike has been cancelled due to the hazardous air quality in Chiang Mai and the surrounding Districts.

11km long, 900m elevation gain and 6 hours expected hiking time. Up and down through forest, back along stream. Summit section open and offering magnificent views unless haze-obscured.

Fairly steep sections up and down on forest trails with slippery leaves and very steep section involving scrambling and loose rocks just below the summit. Not suitable for people with a fear of heights.

Very hot at this time of year, breeze may make it feel cooler, but will evaporate fluids faster. Sun screen, hats and above all plenty of water required.

Air pollution has been very bad this last few weeks, but is somewhat improved today. Should conditions deteriorate again and the air quality become hazardous, this hike will be cancelled. Please check this site Sunday morning for an update.

All hikers are responsible for their own safety at all times. No groups. Seats in cars can not be guaranteed. 1 hour drive each way between meeting point and hike start/end points.

Meeting Point: in front of the SUSCO filling station on Highway 118 at 07.20 for a 07.30 departure.

Please bring:

• At least 2-3 liters of drinking water/ rehydration drink.
• Protection from sun, heat, smoky air.
• Energy snacks and picnic lunch.
• Strong footwear with deep tread/ good grip.
• Lots of energy, team spirit and good humour.
• Passengers please bring 100 Baht towards driver’s expenses and a change of shirt/ clothes.

19/03/17 Ban Mae Sapok Waterfall Loop

 

Cancelled this week! The latest Pm2.5 reading for Mae Wang is 197: a level which makes outdoor activities inadvisable. Hopefully this awful pollution will clear up next week.

This is a relatively easy hike of about 8kms with only 400m ascent on mainly good paths. The hike will start close to the elephant camp and, if any are in residence, this may be a short feeding session before we move on. The first part of the hike meanders up from the river over mainly open farmland. The second part takes us back down to the river and across, with a brief visit to the waterfall where some scenes from the 1980s film Rambo were reputedly filmed, and then back down along the river to the “beach” where we will have a snack break and some hikers may like to have a swim. Another forty minute walk along the river brings us back to the elephant camp at the end of the loop. The hike should take between four to five hours (including snack and swimming time)  and afterwards we will retire to the “elevated” restaurant discovered by Mike on our last visit.

Hike leader: SRR

Meeting Point & Time:
We will meet at 07:20 for 07:30 start at the open area, just past the PTT gas station, when driving southwards on Canal Road from the Suthep Road intersection. The journey to the start point is 52kms and should take at least one hour.

If you want to join:
Read the general advice on this website as well as the specific details in this post. If you still think the hike is for you, just turn up at the meeting place on the day and on time. We cannot accommodate groups. Passenger places are usually available in car-pooling but cannot be guaranteed. If you are a passenger, please contribute 100Bht to your driver for fuel etc. and bring a change of clothing for the return journey

Please bring:  See “Things to bring” tab above, but specially consider:

• at least 2-3 litres of water/rehydration drink
• hat/sunblock, as some sections of the hike do not have tree cover
• swimming togs plus towel for potential dip
• for passengers:100 baht towards fuel costs and a change of clothes, footwear
• bags of energy, enthusiasm and a good sense of humour

2019/03/10_Mae Sa Waterfall Plus

Our last hike here was in the rainy season. The water is now clearer.

This is another short-but-sweet hike, at a relaxed pace for a good social experience. The Mae Sa Waterfall park contains ten tiers of waterfalls extending for 1.5 kilometres. Besides climbing up to the highest accessible tier and back – and pausing for paddling/bathing – we will include an interesting section outside the park. Total distance will be about 6km.

We will car-pool from the main meeting place (see details below) to the start point at “Between” cafe, slightly east of the Mae Sa Waterfall park entrance. On return, most of us will buy refreshments in this cafe.

Meeting place: outside the 7-Eleven at the PTT fuel station just north of the gateway to Chiang Mai University on Canal Road. See map below and this link.

Meeting time: 07:50. The cars will depart at 08:00.

Alternative meeting time/place: 08:25 at “Between” cafe.

If you want to join: Please ensure you have read the general information on this website about our hikes and the spirit in which they take place. If you are fine with this, then just turn up at the stated meeting place and time. Lifts in cars are almost always available, though they cannot be absolutely guaranteed, and we cannot absorb groups. If getting a lift there and back, please offer your driver THB 100 towards fuel costs etc.

Bring: as per general advice on this site, except:

• Money for park entrance: THB 20 for Thai adult, 100 for non-Thai (irrespective of Thai driving license). Children half price. N.B. there are no concessions for over-60s.
• Hat/sunblock is specially recommended, as the latter part of the walk has little tree cover.
• bathing clothes (optional)