Hi we are thinking of heading up to Doi Mon Cham around Christmas time this year. Will be driving from Khon Kaen and stopping at C Mai. Not sure whether to take public transport from C Mai or drive up there. Both me and the car are a bit old and not too good going up/down steep windy hills, struggled a bit with Baan Rak Thai last year. Is it easy to get a red songthaew there from Chiang Mai? And once there do you need your own transport? many thanks for any help

Went up there on a new turbo charged diesel van with my family few years back.

There is a short step slop. Saw a few rather old Toyota pickups ( Toyotas are powerful pickups ) slided down. Once up there the view is magnificent and worth the climb.

Traffic jams of minivans with tourists are the bigger issue going up there.  I suggest to skip it.

There is a road that goes up around the back to Mon Cham that is much more scenic and deserted... check out the waterfall on the way ;-)

Reading a post card on my Sala with  Doi Mon Cham  the back ground...more fun on a bicycle...wonderful loop. 

This was on the road up to Mon Chaem. Its a lot steeper than it looks

At New Year it was totally crowded with traffic jams for miles,

Even on dirtbikes going the other way it took us ages to get through

The road is not quite as steep as the road up to Baan Rak Thai, but there are still a few steep short sections with hairpin turns. Traffic will be heavy during the holidays and moving slowly.  There are actually better views across from Mon Jaem closer to the cell phone towers such as Mon View Ngaam and Mon Tawaan.

 

There is no regularly scheduled public transport from the city but of course you can hire a vehicle for the day and enjoy the rental, with or without a driver, to visit all around the Samoeng Loop.

 

Below is an image in the late afternoon from Mon Tawaan, a somewhat rustic camp site where you can buy some drinks and enjoy the view, the highest venue in that neighborhood.

On 5/21/2017 at 9:46 AM, sfokevin said:

There is a road that goes up around the back to Mon Cham that is much more scenic and deserted... check out the waterfall on the way ;-)

 

Oh, nice!  Is there a national park entry fee for that one?

Yup!.. 20 baht for Thai... 100 baht for farrang... 30 baht for car...

 

But but worth it as it is usually deserted... bring a picnic lunch ;-)