Chiang Rai Trails

ianyonok

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Turning off 1089 through Huai Mae Hin Fon, you take a steep trail up the mountain which leads on to some great trails through the Lam Nam Kok National Park on the north side of the river.

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Past a new Akha grave

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After an hour or so, you drop down to Pha Kwang and a lovely part of the Kok River

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This is just to the SE of where a small river flows into the Kok and the furthest NE you can get on decent trails.

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After crossing the river at the Ruam Mitr elephant camp new bridge, I went to stay in Pong Nam Ron at the Akha Hill House. An out of the way place where you aren't likely to see other farangs. The 300 Baht VIP room has a nice balcony looking down the valley.

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There is a lovely waterfall nearby, after a 20 minute walk through the jungle.

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Back along the river on the south bank.....

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.... takes you to the old motorcycle bridge, which has had a new coat of paint and some repairs. It's not as exciting as it used to be though, now they have put handrails on it....

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It seems in regular use again after being closed for a while

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After riding along the south bank as far as possible to the NW, I turned south onto more great trails

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Across to the top of Doi Gart Phi east of the 3037 and NE of Wawi.

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Then onto the marvellous trail SE down to Khun Khon waterfall.

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More big jungle on this side of the river

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I had the trail on the GPS, otherwise, I would be wondering if there was really a trail..

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Then it opened out a bit again

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Wonderful cool riding and no-one around

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I remembered this felled tree, that appeared to have been put there deliberately to blocks vehicles, who may have been coming to check illegal activities

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By piling some broken logs around the low end, easy enough to get past.

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On to more overgrown areas of the trail before popping out at Khun Khon.

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Some days later, I went to check out the 4061 south of Wiang Kaen. This road winds up the mountain to Huai Laeng, west of the 1155, from the village of Lo.

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A little steep in places...

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... with the last section still unpaved, but should be finished soon, by the look of it. Just a small village at the top.

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Views across east to the Doi Pha Mon range and Phi Chi Fah

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Venturing inland, I followed a trail SW along the ridge

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Quite a serious gate, but it did slide open.

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What appeared to be selective tree poaching..

and several dead ends on different trails

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some nice old trees in some areas

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The area is a Royal Project, sponsored to help protect and restore the environment.

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Some traditional hill tribe houses up there

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Poor photo, but I was interested to see the old millstone and huge tray from a big old tree. This appeared to be still in use.

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and goats

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Generally, Huai Laeng is still a very quiet place, but that may start to change once the road is finished.

The view looking north from the unmanned raid towers, along the 1155 and towards Wiang Kaen

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Reactions: Ughetto
Mar 30, 2010
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Hmmm got me thinking to park the klx up that way and explore some of these great trails.

Nice pics and report.

Cheers

Brian
 

Rod Page

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Top report Ian. Some great finds well photographed & well reported. Keep them coming.
 

DavidFL

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