The Sensational Steep Huai Kuk - Pha Tang Loop - Singapore Road

DavidFL

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Wandering around the mountains with Lan & the CP Crew from Chiang Mai we split at Pha Tang, they headed along the ridge line towards Phu Chiu Fah & onward; my time was up, time to head back to Chiang Khong. Starting down the big hill I spotted what looked like a nice spanking new concrete road vanishing off into the distance. Curiosity got the better of me....so time for a meander....where the hell does that go?

GTR - IMG_7915.JPG


Each time you went around a corner it just seemed to wind on and on around the mountain
GTR - IMG_7900.JPG


Some of the sections were incredibly steep
GTR - IMG_7908.JPG

and when you're out there for the first time, not really knowing where you are going you sometimes wonder where it is going to end?

GTR - IMG_7914.JPG


The views are absolutely stunning
GTR - IMG_7941B.JPG


In the far distance you can catch glimpses of the Mekong
GTR - IMG_7942.JPG


View of the road ahead keep you going to wherever.
GTR - IMG_7925.JPG


In the middle of nowhere, a Chinese tomb for a couple.
GTR - IMG_7905.JPG


Suddenly the road drops down into a Hmong village Huai Kuk
GTR - IMG_7946.JPG


Stopped at a shop for a life saving bottle of sponsor, the locals tell me its only another 4 kms down & you should pop out on the highway R1155. It's easier & quicker going out that way, no need to go back up the mountain to Pha Tang. Whoopee, good news .

I celebrated with a selfie with an old Hmong woman hanging out at the shop.
40310761_10156920242223755_4779812891186429952_o.jpg

It's funny how it goes. Sometimes you can strike up an immediate friendly rapport with the locals somehow.
This gal was a bit unsure, but yes it was ok to take a selfie photo. She loved the photo but didn't have a phone - now that's something for nowadays?
So I swapped line contacts with the shopkeeper & sent her the two selfies I took with the old lady.
As I left the old Hmong lady was sitting on her stool holding the shop keeper's mobile phone in her hand & laughing at the two photos! An absolute winner and a wonderful heart warming experience. Life is good when you can do such simple things to bring joy to poor people.

From Huai Kuk, the road is was not supposed to be as steep, but I'm not really sure on that. It's one hell of a road & right up there with the best for a steep ride I think.
GTR - IMG_7952.JPG

The ride through the corn & hill rice fields is one of breath taking beauty today.

GTR - IMG_7964.JPG


GTR - IMG_7954.JPG


GTR - IMG_7958.JPG


GTR - IMG_7960.JPG


Running along the ridge line
GTR - IMG_7949.JPG


then it suddenly drops off
GTR - IMG_7948.JPG


Comes to a road junction
GTR - IMG_7988.JPG

Right goes back up in the mountains
GTR - IMG_7987.JPG


left continues on down the hill gently on a bumpy dirt road to R1155 (& Wiang Kaen).
GTR - IMG_7991.JPG


1.5 kms later you're on the main road R1155
GTR - IMG_7993.JPG


An exhilarating steep steep 26 kms loop from the same point on R1155
GPS-Map002.jpg


Check it out sometime.
Here's how it looks in google Earth.
GPS-Map001.jpg


and oh yeah, I've spotted another mountain road which should stupendous views as well.

GTR - IMG_7982.JPG


I never quite made it to the top at my first attempt. So it must be time for another look.
Too many roads & not enough time.
 
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ianyonok

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Great Stuff, David. The country folk in the mountains are usually such nice people.
Fantastic looking roads, must get over there soon.....
 
Dec 27, 2013
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Thanks for your time and effort in posting the great trip report. I have ridden the area but never that road......on my list now!
 
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ianyonok

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I went up that road, the opposite way, a few days ago.
Turned left off the 1155 at this point;

gtr-img_7993-jpg.jpg


Also a beautiful day in rainy season, with some blue skies and showers around.
2018-09-10 14.33.14.jpg
2018-09-10 14.38.44-1.jpg
2018-09-10 14.46.47-1.jpg
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Its always fantastic when you come around a corner and see something like this....
2018-09-10 14.59.10.jpg
2018-09-10 15.04.17.jpg
2018-09-10 15.13.47-1.jpg
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Thanks for the tip, David. Nice one.
After reaching Pha Tang, I headed south along the ridge to Pu Chee Fah and came across a bit of road slip;
2018-09-10 15.51.32.jpg

Then back down on the 1155, at the southern end, the great leaning tree is still there.....
2018-09-10 16.42.03-1.jpg


Although, the old communist battles commemoration sign, a bit further along, by the side of the road has now gone.
A local told me it has been taken up to Phu Chee Fah somewhere.... plenty of old commies still up there apparently.
This was the sign, as it was 8 years ago. I guess it doesn't suit with the current political climate......
2012-09-24 15.00.53.jpg
 

ianyonok

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Someone put some thought into making that sign.
Actually, it doesn't appear to be glorifying communism, more like commemorating the fighting and the final victory over communism by the govt forces.
The guy at the top left is holding the Thai flag, whereas the communist flag is on a bamboo stick behind a bush. That is behind the Democracy monument but in front of Phu Chee Fah. That indicates the communists were holding the ridge but the democratic govt forces won in the end. The opium plants/fields were no doubt part of the story, perhaps making money to buy arms. You do have to wonder though, why the govt soldiers on the bottom left are wearing gas masks..?
 
Feb 24, 2014
49
15
8
Wandering around the mountains with Lan & the CP Crew from Chiang Mai we split at Pha Tang, they headed along the ridge line towards Phu Chiu Fah & onward; my time was up, time to head back to Chiang Khong. Starting down the big hill I spotted what looked like a nice spanking new concrete road vanishing off into the distance. Curiosity got the better of me....so time for a meander....where the hell does that go?

View attachment 124676

Each time you went around a corner it just seemed to wind on and on around the mountain
View attachment 124675

Some of the sections were incredibly steep
View attachment 124679
and when you're out there for the first time, not really knowing where you are going you sometimes wonder where it is going to end?

View attachment 124680

The views are absolutely stunning
View attachment 124678

In the far distance you can catch glimpses of the Mekong
View attachment 124677

View of the road ahead keep you going to wherever.
View attachment 124681

In the middle of nowhere, a Chinese tomb for a couple.
View attachment 124682

Suddenly the road drops down into a Hmong village Huai Kuk
View attachment 124683

Stopped at a shop for a life saving bottle of sponsor, the locals tell me its only another 4 kms down & you should pop out on the highway R1155. It's easier & quicker going out that way, no need to go back up the mountain to Pha Tang. Whoopee, good news .

I celebrated with a selfie with an old Hmong woman hanging out at the shop.
View attachment 124684
It's funny how it goes. Sometimes you can strike up an immediate friendly rapport with the locals somehow.
This gal was a bit unsure, but yes it was ok to take a selfie photo. She loved the photo but didn't have a phone - now that's something for nowadays?
So I swapped line contacts with the shopkeeper & sent her the two selfies I took with the old lady.
As I left the old Hmong lady was sitting on her stool holding the shop keeper's mobile phone in her hand & laughing at the two photos! An absolute winner and a wonderful heart warming experience. Life is good when you can do such simple things to bring joy to poor people.

From Huai Kuk, the road is was not supposed to be as steep, but I'm not really sure on that. It's one hell of a road & right up there with the best for a steep ride I think.
View attachment 124685
The ride through the corn & hill rice fields is one of breath taking beauty today.

View attachment 124686

View attachment 124687

View attachment 124688

View attachment 124689

Running along the ridge line
View attachment 124690

then it suddenly drops off
View attachment 124691

Comes to a road junction
View attachment 124693
Right goes back up in the mountains
View attachment 124692

left continues on down the hill gently on a bumpy dirt road to R1155 (& Wiang Kaen).
View attachment 124694

1.5 kms later you're on the main road R1155
View attachment 124695

An exhilarating steep steep 26 kms loop from the same point on R1155
View attachment 124696

Check it out sometime.
Here's how it looks in google Earth.
View attachment 124697

and oh yeah, I've spotted another mountain road which should stupendous views as well.

View attachment 124698

I never quite made it to the top at my first attempt. So it must be time for another look.
Too many roads & not enough time.
Looks an amazing road, David! I'll ave to find it when I'm back out soon. Great tip..!