Doi Luang Tak l Rainy Season

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Rainy Season: Embracing the Lushness of the Forest

While many may shy away from the thought of trekking during the rainy season, it is precisely this time of year that the forest unveils its true splendor. The "Rainy Season," or "ฤดูฝน" as it is known in Thai, transforms the landscape into a vibrant tapestry of life, offering a unique opportunity to experience nature at its most abundant.

Our destination is "Doi Luang Tak", located in Namtok Huai Mae Kha National Park, Ban Tak District, Tak Province, at an altitude of 1,175 meters above sea level.

At the Stroke of Midnight: Embarking on a Journey

As the clock struck midnight on August 11th, the world slumbered in anticipation of the day ahead. While many reveled in the festivities of a long weekend, others embarked on journeys of their own. Our group of eight belonged to the latter category. Our ten-seater van hummed to life, leaving the bustling streets of Saraburi behind. Though our official starting point was Bangkok, the majority of our members hailed from Saraburi, making it a symbolic point of departure. After a five-hour drive, we arrived at the Tung Krasae Subdistrict Municipality in Ban Tak District, marking the true beginning of our adventure.

At 8:00 a.m. this morning, the air was hazy and the sky was overcast with rain clouds. Rain was starting to fall in the distance. Our mode of transportation was a pickup truck, old but well-maintained, with a modified steel railing in the back to carry passengers. This vehicle would take us from Thung Krasae Subdistrict Municipality to the starting point of our trek.

The path cuts through the houses of the people living in this area, winding its way out to the rice fields. As we were sitting in the back of a pickup truck, we were able to fully experience the fresh air. The cool air that hit our faces made us feel refreshed, a stark contrast to the city atmosphere we had left behind. In just a short time, we arrived at the starting point of our walk.

The Starting Point

"The nature trail on Doi Luang Tak, spanning 11 kilometers, is marked by a large wooden sign displaying the distance. This serves as a stark reminder that the hike ahead is no easy feat and should not be underestimated."

Khomkrit, our group leader, took the lead. We walked on flat terrain, following the stream. The forest on both sides was open, allowing for good air circulation. The walk was not too difficult.

Halfway there.

The journey was relatively smooth, with the path gradually ascending but not too steeply. From this point, we could see the peak of Doi Luang Tak, but today it was shy and hiding in the clouds.

The trail is divided into three main sections. The first section is a gradual ascent, similar to walking along a mountain ridge. The second section is characterized by walking on the crest of a mountain, which park rangers call the "knife's edge." We will have lunch at this point, as the surrounding area offers panoramic views on both sides. After lunch, the third section becomes steeper, with dense vegetation and a damp, muddy ground due to the constant drizzle.

Pine Forest and Wind and Rain

After traversing a dense, rain-soaked forest, we ascended a ridge to be greeted by a breathtaking panorama of towering pine trees standing defiant against the relentless wind and rain. This unique landscape felt like stepping into a primeval forest.

The surrounding area is flat, with towering pine trees standing tall and proud. The ground is covered with groundcover plants such as ferns and palms. The wind is quite strong, sometimes carrying with it a mist of rain.

Doi Nang Phaya

After traversing a dense undergrowth of ground-hugging ferns and palm-like plants, we stumbled upon a plateau known as the Coffin Plain. Before us lay a valley, its depth obscured by a thick blanket of swirling white clouds.

As we sat down to take some photos, the unexpected happened. A gust of wind swept away the clouds that had been covering the valley, revealing the breathtaking view below. The valley stretched out before us, offering a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains, including the magnificent Mon Nang Phaya.

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Doi Luang Tak

The rainy season is a fickle time, with unpredictable weather patterns. One moment the sky is clear, and the next it is overcast, leaving travelers in suspense about what conditions they will encounter.

After enjoying the scenery at Mon Nang Phaya for a while, the wind blew clouds in to cover the area once again. We were forced to continue walking to our campsite, which involved a detour through a banana forest. The path was muddy and slippery, and it took us about 20 minutes to reach our destination.

As if cursed by hell or tricked by heaven, it was only 3:00 PM, but the area around the accommodation was completely covered by clouds. Everywhere I looked, I saw only dark shadows. My intention to hike to the top of Doi Luang Tak gradually faded away. So we decided to set up our tents, change out of our clothes that were damp with rain, and prepare to cook.

After finishing our lunch, there was still a long time before nightfall. We decided to take a chance and hike to the summit of Doi Luang Tak, despite the unfavorable weather conditions.

And then fate was not too cruel to us. The wind blew away the clouds that covered the entire area, revealing the surrounding atmosphere. This event happened alternately all the time. Sometimes the sky was closed, sometimes it was open, making us have to use the little time when the sky was open to capture the atmosphere. We could see the peak of Doi Luang Tak intermittently.

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A new morning with the missing bright sky

On the morning of August 13th, at 5:00 AM, the area around the accommodation was still shrouded in fog, dashing any hopes of seeing the sunrise. Waking up so early was due to a restless night, with strong winds shaking the tent as if someone was constantly trying to shake it. The morning felt like surviving a storm.

After breakfast at 9:00 AM, we packed our belongings and headed up to Doi Luang Tak again to take in the scenery, even though the chances of clear skies were slim.

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Return

After a short descent, at 11:00 AM at Mon Nang Phaya, the clouds continued to flow into the valley as before. We took a break here at the last point, as after this we would be walking a long way down to the starting point to catch our ride back.

It took us a little over two hours to walk down to the bottom.

"Doi Luang Tak" is not an easy hike, but it is not too difficult for those who are determined. Hiking during the rainy season may not always meet our expectations, but its charm lies in the novelty of nature, which creates unique environments for us to encounter. Sometimes, we must accept what nature presents, even if it differs from our expectations.

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Note:

- Contact number for booking a trip to Doi: Mr. Nopadol 085-566-3202

- Brother Na's rice shop for all meals for convenience 087-844-1675

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