Khao Yai - Haew Suwat

On our first full day in Khao Yai, we took a11 km hike from the visitor center through the jungle to Haew Suwat Waterfall.  We were required to hire a ranger as a guide, which was a good thing because the trail was essentially nonexistent in places.  In other places, the trail forked, so naturally we took it (sensu Yogi Berra)!

Barking deer.

These pigtail macaques look cute, but after they raid your belongings and steal your food, you quickly realize they are nothing more than devious rats with prehensile tails.

Sambar deer.

We started out at the visitor center by crossing a pedestrian suspension bridge over a river.

Lots of photos of the students walking though the forest on the way to Haew Suwat Waterfall.

This log is the result of one poacher getting bark for fragrances and another for the timber at the node of a branch.

We were not the only ones using the trail today.  These elephant droppings were rather fresh.

Evidently, I was explaining something.

Bryce is taking a closeup photo of bear claw marks on this tree.

Bear claw marks

This tree is gone.  There is a hollow central area where the tree used to be, but a strangler fig grew over the tree, killing it.

The tree on the left has lots of holes where woodpeckers and barbets created cavity nests.

Kristen is standing in front of a termite mound.

Not quite at the end of the hike, this is Haew Sai Waterfall.  Another 15 minute walk to the end...

This is Haew Suwat Waterfall, which is the famous waterfall featured in the movie "The Beach" with Leon Decaprio.  This hike took 5.5 hours.