Pang Sida - Namtok Tham KhangKhao + Thab Sung

[Trekker]

This post is made as an initial look at the Namtok (waterfall) Tham (cave) khangkhao (bat) route in Pang Sida National Park. A route not very often traveled.

Our initial venture onto this 8 km (one way track) according to the old sign post was late one afternoon just to get a feel for the state of the trail. The initial 2 kms is a very solid track with no confusing sub-trails. From Google Earth view seems to stay similar for up to 6 kms and then becomes more uphill and follows streams on the side of hill/s.

Purportedly, the route leads to:

Tharn PlaPlueng waterfall
Tham Khang Khao waterfall (some 500 meters apart according to the DNP site)

plus possibly one other waterfall.

On the initial trail recce the rate of progress was 2.2 km in 45 mins - therefore end of trail should be achievable in (3 x 1 hour) for first 6k and say 2 hours for last 2 km therefore a 5 hour turn around max, 10 hour total.

The plan for a second recce would be - start at 7 am, recheck progress at 11 am, final turnaround time noon.

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Route is shown in reverse - i.e. recording from from furthest point back to road

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[Trekker]

Second Recce taken several weeks later...

Recently we took the opportunity to test this route further. Information from the rangers was very sparse and the day we tested this trail 3 out 4 rangers on duty had not even been to Namtok Tham KhangKhao (Bat Cave Waterfall). The fourth informed us that after the junction in the path it would be about another 4 kilos to bat cave waterfall.

The map board at rangers station #5 with the track on it

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The track can be split into three separate zones according to the depiction at the ranger station (see below), those being the a) route that leads to a junction and then b) a loop that leads to 2 waterfalls (incl Namtok Tham Khangkhao) and c) a spur that leads to another waterfall.

The route that leads to the junction is straight forward and easy to navigate being the believed route of a former logging trail. Its 4.5 kilometers to the "junction" which was a fork in the path. The route may be straight forward but it passes through stretches of bamboo growth and it quite tough going climbing through and diverting around the fallen bamboo stands. To get to the end of this section of track requires the crossing of 4 forest streams - hard to do without getting wet on a couple of them and may be very difficult after rains.

The track/s we walked

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Two kilometers into this pathway you will notice a small path leading off to the right, it is the path which brings you to the Tab Sung waterfall - its right next to the track and definitely is worth a visit when the rains come (it was dry except for a trickle in June).

We followed both routes of the fork in the path, although the "map" does show there should be 3, and on both routes the track gave way to be indistinguishable from animal tracks. We also had a run-in with a wasp nest on the northern track and both hikers were stung by a very interesting wasp that makes it's nest in leaves like a red ant. The southern most track requires the crossing of a large stream (stream crossing 5 on the track picture) and could be a bit hairy after rain.

Where the track were lost

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We set off just before 7 am and got back to the start of the track around 1:30 with a couple of rests. The total walked was 12.8 kilometers. If Khangkhao is another 4 kilos from the junction, then based on the state of the track its probably not possible to get there, rest and get out with any daylight left - add to that the ideal time to do the trail would be in the rains to see the waterfalls then its probably a guided overnight stay in the forest.

[Trekker]

This the GPS track to date, hopefully someone can push this track a little further or find at least one of the waterfalls

Pang Sida ThapSung Waterfall.GPX

GPS Track for download

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[Trekker]

The entrance to the trail can be found at 2 km past the Huay Nam Yen Ranger station (sub-station). It is difficult to spot but there was a sign a few weeks ago that have been pulled down by elephants. Just look for a small dirt pull in on the left of the road big enough for about 3 cars.

The entrance hidden away

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Stream crossings #1 and #4 may be difficult without getting wet after the rains and late into the rainy season.

The stream is very easy to cross at the moment but when the waters high you will have to butt shimmy across these two twigs...

Steam Crossing # 1

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You may just have to take your boots off on this crossing if the creek fills up

Stream Crossing # 4

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Note these photos are taken with the new Garmin 550 Oregon GPS. Terrible quality!