I had not been on the trail prior to today so I drew a map, deciding on a route which took me through the Pharmacy Gardens, the CMU campus, and past the zoo entrance. When I reached the end of Chiang Rai Rd I needed to turn left but right was the only direction to go, so I walked right and after a quarter mile decided I was going the wrong way. I turned around and returned to Chiang Rai Rd, a locked metal gate being the end point of the road. I studied the gate and noticed it could be pushed partially open, wide enough for a person to squeeze through. I decided to pass through the gate and when I did so I turned left onto a quiet residential road. I passed a few desolate looking food stalls, then reached a road which went up the mountain. I was unsure if the mountain road was the correct way because my map ended at the gate.
I stood on the side of the road and pondered, and as I did I saw two westerners on bicycles, stopped and resting twenty meters distant. I considered approaching them but decided against it. Just then one of the bikers pedaled toward me and slowed to a stop a few feet away. I took this as a sign to approach and he directed me past the zoo, up the mountain, and to "look for the parking lot with lots of cars."
After a steep hike up the road I entered the parking lot and the fun began:
After resting at the forest temple I hiked down the mountain and reached home at 2:00pm.
Walking distance was eight miles round trip.
I was famished, ate lunch, and slept from 7:00pm-11:30pm.