New trails around Mae ON with JB2112

[KTMphil]

New trails around Mae ON with JB2112


We'd been meaning to do some scouting in Mae On for a while, JB had poked around pretty good already, so we knew where we wanted to go. CLICK ON THE MAP TO ENLARGE IT






1st stop was a look at the rock climbing area in Mae On, looked very popular with the Thai's

If you want to go see this the co-ords are below:

 

[KTMphil]

Reasonably clear day in the beginning of the rainy season

Next stop on the way to the trails, the Muan On cave

Muang On cave co-ords are in the link below, JB's been inside, says its worth the effort

 

[KTMphil]

Then off into the trails around Mao On. It was nice that there had been some rain the ground felt soft and no dust

The trail just west of Mae On was blocked by a huge tree, there were plenty more trails, so we turned back

A huge new Wat being constructed in the same area

Then off up to the Mae On viewpoint on a gravel road

The viewpoint looks west, over the mountain in the distance you can see Chiang Mai on a clear day

Beautiful. traditional farm in the valley

Co-ords of the view point are below

 

[KTMphil]

This then joined up with some more trails, interesting to see Burmese signs this far inland from the border

Lady taking a breather

Even came across some Thai's out trail riding on some vintage bikes, looks like they were headed south towards Lampang

This trail went north-south on a ridge-line that was the Lampang/ Chiang Mai province border. Looked like it hadn't been used for a while, leaves covered the center of where the track would be

 

[KTMphil]

Lunchtime - and the Tharnthong Lodge was near by - if you haven't been here this place is a must try

They do have a good website:

http://tharnthonglodges.com/main/


The place has a really relaxing feel about it and is beautifully kept

Food was good, 4 lemon shakes, tom yum soup, fried rice and some steamed rice was 475 Bht for 2 people


This is the owner'

JB

GPS co-ords of the Tharnthong Lodge

 

[KTMphil]

Off back into the trails ... got this one waypointed for another day'

A remote Wat

 

[KTMphil]

Back on the black top towards R 118 and the rice crop is an amazing green now after the rains

You can't beat scouting in a new area, where you don't know what's around the next bend, a great day out.

 

[jb2112]

New trails around Mae ON with JB2112

1st stop was a look at the rock climbing area in Mae On, looked very popular with the Thai's

I am not sure if it is the official name now, but the climbers call it the Crazy Horse Buttress. The Muang On Cave is just around the other side..

 

[jb2112]

The trail just west of Mae On was blocked by a huge tree, there were plenty more trails, so we turned back

A huge new Wat being constructed in the same area

Between these two points is a 6-km trail I have hiked before. It leads from the Mae On side near the Mae Tha Krai Park Checkpoint 1 gate up and over the ridgeline to the new Buddha at Mae Tha. I am guessing this trail is the old road they used to use before they built the 1229. It certainly is shorter! I can email you the trail gpx file if you want to give it a go. That fallen tree is just the beginning.

 

[jb2112]

Re: New trails around Mae On with JB2112

Yes sir, great day out there today. I really wanted to check out a new trail I had spotted that started at 18.80144, 99.35798. It follows the ridgeline (Chiang Mai / Lampang border) nearly perfectly. We reached a steep bit and turned back, but looking at the GPX track file I want to give it another go as I think we missed a turnoff. This would be a super trail if it follows the ridgeline all the way to the Superhighway (11).

As neither of us had been up there, we finished the day by heading up to see what was around Jungle Flight. It is definitely remote. Next time I want to find the road up to the 1252 from near here, and possibly the 118.

Sorry, not so many trail photos.

All in a day's ride

Trail behind Flight of the Gibbon. Although mostly tarmac that last bit you see in the distance is a gnarly little dirt trail that rises 300 meters or so in less than a kilometer.

The boys

Tharnthong

Rice paddy

 

[2wheels]

Very nice; thank you JB and Phil.
That little Temple in the hills look enticing.
I've been to that Lodge restaurant before (on the AT) and met the owner.
He has groups of Thai coffee conisuers visit from time to time.

I must learn how to incorporate Google Earth maps into my stories; maybe a tutorial at Riders one night?

 

[esspressolungo]

Nice report and great pictures, haven't been on this track for a while, brings back forgotten memories of the past.

 

[KTMphil]

Thanks Rudi


Here's a zoom of the trail areas - CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT

 

[Ally]

You 2 must of had a great time up there.

Brilliant images from you both, happy smiley faces & thanks for visiting the viewpoit, I take it you found my GeoCache ???

Ally

 

[KTMphil]

You 2 must of had a great time up there.

Brilliant images from you both, happy smiley faces & thanks for visiting the viewpoit, I take it you found my GeoCache ???

Ally

JB hunted around the rock on the VP for it!

 

[jb2112]

I must learn how to incorporate Google Earth maps into my stories; maybe a tutorial at Riders one night?

Ron,

About Google Earth images:

Load gpx file into Basecamp or the like. Choose a nice bright color for your track.
Choose "View in Google Earth."
Play around with the 3 tools on the upper right side of GE to get the view you want.
Get image shot with SnagIt or similar program.
Done. Repeat as necessary.

But a meal at the Corner sounds great!

 

[Captain_Slash]

Looks like a good fun ride in dry sunny weather, I bet theres still a few interesting trails to find out that way

 

[KTMphil]

Went back and checked out the Muan On cave

Not promoted at all but very impressive - you don't need the "guide". its all lit

Note the people sizes down in the middle

 

[jb2112]

Pretty cool little mountain: People climbing outside and crawling inside.
There are wild monkeys here as well. I have seen them twice near the parking area.

 

[KTMphil]

The TharnThong Lodge's waterfall in HDR

& messing around with shutter speeds 1/8th of a second was the longest shutter speed that would work in the bright sun

 

[jb2112]

Photos of trail along the ridgline (CNX/Lampang border)

I went back to see if we had missed a trail following the ridge line proper to the south. Unfortunately I did not find a trail, but I got some photos of the trail to the last stop about 3km in or so. I also did not get a chance to explore toward Chae Son through the mountains as it started RAINING, HARD! I got soaked.


The start of the trail along the ridgeline from another trail that links two villages.

Photos along the trail.

End of that line for me

Gorgeous view. Now I see the rain approaching. Outta here!

 

[Ally]

Jb

That looks like a nice trail, must have been cool in the shade of the trees?

Ally