Pleasure Trip on Highway 1001
Nearly everyone, when heading north from Chiang Mai, takes Hwy 107 or 118. That's why nearly noone knows that Hwy 1001 is much nicer! Excellent road, little traffic, and above all: Pleasant scenery all along! The road passes forest, a little mountain range, some smaller villages, and provides manifold views across variegated rural landscape. It ends at Phrao, the friendly little district town 94 kms north of Chiang Mai, whose slow pace still lets breeze the air of traditional relaxed „Thai way of life“ - and that now also offers quite a number of most attractive caching opportunities... ;-)
The most pleasant part of Hwy 1001 begins some 30 kms north of Chiang Mai, at the junction with Hwy 1414. You may get there of course on 1001 off Chiang Mai's Super Highway, through Mae Jo. But taking (4-lane equipped) Hwy 107 for the first stretch could be a bit faster. Before Mae Malai, turn right at the crossroads with 1414 (coming down from Pai), and after not even 2 kms of that new connection you will join the 1001. Just note: Phrao is signposted only after the turnoff, presumably to make sure that only a limited amount of well-informed connoisseurs go there...
All the caches are accessible directly from the road, and roadside parking for a quick grab is possible at their locations. Be sure to bring your own pen, as all of the caches are micro or even smaller.
Teakwood
The road passes an ample teakwood forest and plantation here. Accordingly, the village's name is baan paa mai („timber forest village“), and there is a shady rest area with some rustic eateries. A few 100 meters further, a road branches off that leads to the idyllic bua thong waterfall (3 km)). A nice side trip, if you have enough time.