info for independent hikers and other outdoor activity enthusiasts
Trip Report : 20, May 2012 8km Hike Along Ridge Behind ‘Wat Doi Poothi Yaan’
20 kilometers directly east of Chiang Mai’s Old City is a crescent-shaped group of hills and mountains. None of the mountains are exceedingly tall with the highest being 750 meters high, but I live nearby and told myself I would hike that area eventually. I decided to break my excursions into thirds and for this hike I would start in the middle section.
I had hiked up once before but it was just a slippery slope I found behind the Crazy Horse Buttress (Tam Mueang On/Cave Mountain) in Mae On. But after making it to the ridgeline what I did find on that day was a marked path down to a wat. Today I decided to start at the wat, hike up to the ridgeline, then walk south for a few km’s and exit past the Technical College on the 1317/ San Kampaeng Road.
Wat Doi Poothi Yaan is located at 18.798591,99.231389 and the trail entrance is located at the top of the entrance road at 18.799017,99.228932. The last time I was there the monks had put the gates down so you may have to park in the lot and walk 100 meters or so past the gates.
Trail entrance
The trail is well-marked with pennant flags all the way to the top of the mountain. It is just over a 200 meter rise and I was huffing and puffing at times. There are only a few spots where you might have to get a hand-hold on a rock or tree.
Photos from the hike up the mountain
Great view of the back side of Doi Tham/Cave Mountain
Near the top
Little stupa at the summit.
There were great views from the top!
Mae Phrik Reservoir
Mae Phrik Reservoir 2
Looking south along the ridgeline
Another view of Doi Tham
Ridgeline shot 1
ridgeline shot 2
ridgeline shot 3
ridgeline shot 4
ridgeline shot 4
Looking into Mae On Valley
Doi Nang Lo. I have hiked this mountain. Really nice.
My attempt at a panoramic shot
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Mother Nature at work
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The Technical College on the 1317
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Another nice shot of Doi Nang Lo. My home is in this shot as well.
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Corkscrew
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Although there were nice paths along the way I did stumble across areas that looked like this
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Arrrg! The rain is coming! Lucky I was nearing the end of my chosen route.
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Civilization!
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I would not recommend my exit route. It was a bit steep and with the rain I slid on my bum quite a few times. I will get back up here and connect to a better exit route a little further southward.
I would say this route was not very difficult. For a short hike I would highly recommend at least walking up the marked trail from the wat. Take your time and the views at the top are worth it. I am sure there are some views of Chiang Mai as well. You see a lot of photos of Chiang Mai from Doi Suthep on the western side, but rarely see views of Chiang Mai from this eastern area. A nice find!
GPS Stuff
I attach a gpx file for those interested.
