I had been wanting to make this loop for a while. Looking at googlemaps I knew I could hug this little range pretty tightly and I guessed there were some offshoot trails to explore including a jaunt to the reservoir. I decided to do a clockwise loop beginning near the intersection of 1317 and 1006.
I have this view near my home. I guess seeing it nearly every day has made me want to get around to the back side and explore.
This is the real start of the dirt ride. I want to follow the irrigation canal and explore the side trails. (N18.74311 E99.20125)
Shots along the canal
The irrigation canal cuts through the other side of this little hill via tunnel. Googlemaps shows a trail over this little stretch but it looks like a hiking path to me. (N18.748583 E99.18064)
A farm is down this little stretch. A relaxing farmer motioned that I had to turn back.
Some nice greens looking over the paddies toward the 1006
A pseudo-lunar landscape very near to the other side of the canal tunnel
The other end of the tunnel
More shots along the canal
An actual swamp!
More...
I take my first branch trail at (N18.760885 E99.187354). It leads in a ways and it felt great to get off the easy bit. There are some nice grooved parts. This must be a muddy mess in rainy season.
Back on the canal road
How did they get the pvc pipes in there and what is the purpose? I would guess drainage?
I tried to get through here but it was all thorns and prickly things. I turned back to a bridge and crossed over.
I did NOT attempt this.
A beautiful little temple I had visited on a prior journey (N18.770201, E99.174216)
Fire! There was a road heading behind here, but I did not want to get caught behind the fire line. (N18.78350 E99.19927)
I see this lovely road appear out of nowhere and I gather it will lead to the Mae Phrik Reservoir...which it DOES!
Always good to see signs of life
The view of the trail up to the reservoir
TINY water crossing
And the reservoir (N18.788099,E99.212451). I tried to get around the reservoir on the northern side but I just could not commit. If I had company? Maybe!
I head back to the canal road and find another side trail at (N18.80484 E99.19640). This one had a lot of rocks and roots and just fun fun fun.
I was surprised to see this lovely lady on the trail. She was happy to show me her pickings.
I head out to the road and quickly find another side trail (N18.807945,99.19506E) guarded by Cerberus (eh, one head only). This is a fun ride, but ends at a hiking trail. I think you can hike over the mountain here and come out near the Hot Springs.
Back out on the canal road I find my exit to the 5102 here. I thought this would be the end of the dirty bits but I made my way around toward the Hot Springs and Muang On Cave area...
I remember a trail I wanted to revisit at (N18.793604,E99.232302). I made my way a bit farther than the last time I tried. I was hoping to connect to the trails behind the Crazy Horse Buttress (where the mountain climbers have there parking/rest area). It got a bit gnarly but maybe some day...
I made my way up to the Muang On Cave parking area to see if I can see some wild monkeys, but alas, there were none around. I had an iced cold coconut to drink and was on my way home, when... I decided to head back to the climbers' parking area and beyond. I found this little chedi. He lifted my spirits a bit, but the trail ended just a few meters on. Maybe I will hike this to connect the two bits.
The real surprise of the day was to explore the new graded area just behind the parking area. It has some great steep bits and what views of the Crazy Horse Buttress!
Spooky
Views of the mountain in Mae Ta Krai park near my home
And my exit point on the 1317 near the Mae On District Office. What else?
There is a little stretch of 5 km's or so along the 1317 I did not complete as this is mostly "highway driving" and private properties. I will call it a circumnavigation having done this stretch so many times.
Enjoy it out there!!!
PS - My fingers hurt now. ;-)
I have this view near my home. I guess seeing it nearly every day has made me want to get around to the back side and explore.
This is the real start of the dirt ride. I want to follow the irrigation canal and explore the side trails. (N18.74311 E99.20125)
Shots along the canal
The irrigation canal cuts through the other side of this little hill via tunnel. Googlemaps shows a trail over this little stretch but it looks like a hiking path to me. (N18.748583 E99.18064)
A farm is down this little stretch. A relaxing farmer motioned that I had to turn back.
Some nice greens looking over the paddies toward the 1006
A pseudo-lunar landscape very near to the other side of the canal tunnel
The other end of the tunnel
More shots along the canal
An actual swamp!
More...
I take my first branch trail at (N18.760885 E99.187354). It leads in a ways and it felt great to get off the easy bit. There are some nice grooved parts. This must be a muddy mess in rainy season.
Back on the canal road
How did they get the pvc pipes in there and what is the purpose? I would guess drainage?
I tried to get through here but it was all thorns and prickly things. I turned back to a bridge and crossed over.
I did NOT attempt this.
A beautiful little temple I had visited on a prior journey (N18.770201, E99.174216)
Fire! There was a road heading behind here, but I did not want to get caught behind the fire line. (N18.78350 E99.19927)
I see this lovely road appear out of nowhere and I gather it will lead to the Mae Phrik Reservoir...which it DOES!
Always good to see signs of life
The view of the trail up to the reservoir
TINY water crossing
And the reservoir (N18.788099,E99.212451). I tried to get around the reservoir on the northern side but I just could not commit. If I had company? Maybe!
I head back to the canal road and find another side trail at (N18.80484 E99.19640). This one had a lot of rocks and roots and just fun fun fun.
I was surprised to see this lovely lady on the trail. She was happy to show me her pickings.
I head out to the road and quickly find another side trail (N18.807945,99.19506E) guarded by Cerberus (eh, one head only). This is a fun ride, but ends at a hiking trail. I think you can hike over the mountain here and come out near the Hot Springs.
Back out on the canal road I find my exit to the 5102 here. I thought this would be the end of the dirty bits but I made my way around toward the Hot Springs and Muang On Cave area...
I remember a trail I wanted to revisit at (N18.793604,E99.232302). I made my way a bit farther than the last time I tried. I was hoping to connect to the trails behind the Crazy Horse Buttress (where the mountain climbers have there parking/rest area). It got a bit gnarly but maybe some day...
I made my way up to the Muang On Cave parking area to see if I can see some wild monkeys, but alas, there were none around. I had an iced cold coconut to drink and was on my way home, when... I decided to head back to the climbers' parking area and beyond. I found this little chedi. He lifted my spirits a bit, but the trail ended just a few meters on. Maybe I will hike this to connect the two bits.
The real surprise of the day was to explore the new graded area just behind the parking area. It has some great steep bits and what views of the Crazy Horse Buttress!
Spooky
Views of the mountain in Mae Ta Krai park near my home
And my exit point on the 1317 near the Mae On District Office. What else?
There is a little stretch of 5 km's or so along the 1317 I did not complete as this is mostly "highway driving" and private properties. I will call it a circumnavigation having done this stretch so many times.
Enjoy it out there!!!
PS - My fingers hurt now. ;-)
