Started a five day/4 night backpack to Necklace Valley on Thursday.  Only a few cars in the parking lot both on the day we started hiking and the day we left.

We did the same hike four years ago but stayed two nights instead of four.  The goal this year was to summit Mt Hinman so added a few days to the trip.  Last trip we stayed at Lake Ilswoot which was colder with less sun so planned on finding a site at Opal Lake.  Opal Lake is higher up in the valley and close to the trail leading up to the higher lakes. 

The first half of the hike (4.5 miles) is level with some sections in the forest and other sections in boggy/muddy areas.  At a shoe adjustment break two miles into the hike an owl flew down close to us and watched.  Very cool!

At about 4.5 miles the climb starts.  Up to this point there are several river crossings on logs but at this time of year the river is down so not as dangerous as crossing in the spring.  Cross the river and start climbing the boulders.  Be careful in the first boulder section to follow the brown dirt boot markings on the rocks or you will get off the trail.  Nothing is marked.  In about half a mile the trail reappears

The trail from here on out is at times muddy and full of roots.  There are three sections where long legs help because the step up is about 3' high.  I admit this section of the trail is one of the most difficult I have hiked and with a full backpack is down right awful.  We cursed and sweated our way up for several hours.  Drink lots of water. 

We headed straight to Opal Lake and after scouting for a camping spot found a shelf on the cliff across the lake from the trail where we easily fitted two tents.  Behind our site was Cloudy Lake where we filtered water.  The lakes are smaller than on the maps possibly due to the low water level in the higher lakes. 

The next day we made our way up to Tank Lakes (2 of them) where we had lunch and then hiked down to Foehn Lake and went for a swim.  There is not a marked trail so good idea to have a downloaded map.  The terrain is boulders and scree. 

The next morning we hiked around Cloudy Lake and bouldered to the north end where it drops down to Lake Ilswoot. No trails here but easy to navigate.  In the afternoon we scrambled to the top of the 5,000 peak north of Opal Lake where there are great views of the upper valley and Opal Lake. 

The next morning at 6 am two of our group started out for Mt Hinman.  There aren't trails so navigation is important.  It is a 2,600' climb over boulders.  They made it to the top and had 360 degree views.  It is good to wear gloves for hand holds and downloaded maps.  The boulders are sharp and larger.  I did not head to Mt Hinman but instead hiked and scrambled around the lakes including Ilswoot, Emerald, Jade, Al and Locket.  Couldn't find a way to Jewel Lake.  No bugs and perfect weather.  Only saw five people all day. 

The way was uneventful but slippery due to the muddy trail for the 4.5 miles down to the river crossing.  Poles helped a lot.  Again, no bugs. 

The climb out was uneventful and fast. 

My 12 year old son and I hiked to Jade Lake the first night and camped at the north end of Jade Lake. It's a stiff hike since the majority of the gain is in the last few miles. We fished the evening hatch and caught a bunch of little fish (less than six inches) and went to bed.

In the morning, we hiked past Emerald (weedy) and Opal (easy to miss if you're on the trail) and followed cairns up the valley to the west below La Bohn Peak to the rocky plateau filled with tarns. The swimming was excellent, the views even better, and the bugs weren't that bad. On the way back, we heard lots of stories of the black bear that was wandering around the lakes in the Necklace Valley, but we didn't see it. We fished again, but couldn't match the dry fly hatch so caught only a couple.

We got up early the third day and made excellent time coming down. We sampled berries throughout the trip. The best blueberries are above the cabin on Emerald Lake. There are red huckleberries and salmonberries below the bridge across the Foss. There's a small patch of wild raspberries that are excellent in the rock fall above the bridge.

I submit this report late in the game, but hope it serves as a warning: as a destination, Necklace Valley is a waste of time and effort. The trail is not rational (the number of ups and downs along E Fork Foss are too many to count, and maddening), after the river crossing the uphill grade is steep with an enormous plethora of roots to negotiate, and upon arrival, Necklace Valley is a narrow, damp, cold, deep defile, with no view whatsoever. The name itself, "Necklace Valley", evokes a splendid setting, but is a deception.

This hike is only worthwhile if the goal is to continue higher to Tank Lakes, which is a significant undertaking.

Hiked with friend to Jade lake. Camped at 5 mile first day. Trail is good, except heavily overgrown with brush. Needs Brushing. Also a very narrow log bridge just prior to 5 mile camp. 5 mile camp is excellent with good water and toilet nearby.

Next day went to Jade Lake. Steep trail with no switchbacks. Mostly rocky and needs some brushing. Jade Lake has 3 campsites or more on south end and one on the north end. Water is good and toilet is .3 mile to south up about 250 feet in elevation, just past the cabin. Went to Opal lake, but not as nice. According to other hikers, campsites not as nice.

Few young strong people went onto Tank Lakes, which were described as beautiful. Saw only a few people each day. In all, Necklace Valley has 3 lakes linked together, like a necklace. Also a very pretty flat valley. Came out on 5th day.

Arrived East Fork Foss trailhead at 10:30am on Saturday. The modest parking lot was full but we found easy parking along the road just outside the lot. My hiking companions were my two boys, ages 16 and 13, plus our young (and leashed) Labrador Retriever. This was the test piece for my new hip joint.

The first five miles to the river crossing was fast and easy, sometimes near the river and sometimes climbing up, away from the river. Bridges were in good condition during this section, though occasionally slippery. There are sustained sections where the bushes (and nettles) press in on the trail, so expect a few abrasions or wear pants. We had very little wind during our trip and these overgrow sections were muggy and warm.

The campsite near the river crossing was unoccupied and provided a good spot to rest and our refill water, in preparation for the coming climb. We met a Ranger at this point, who advised us that the first hundred yards of the ascent — which follow the river crossing — is a boulder field that can be difficult with canines.

We crossed the river and started the climb. The Ranger had told us that it would be fine to remove the dog’s leash during this section if we perceived a safety issue (though we didn’t find this necessary). Above the boulder field, the trail climbs steeply for another three miles among the trees, rocks, and berries. We arrived at Jade Lake roughly five hours after leaving the TH.

We pushed past Jade towards Al and Locket. When we came across the cabin, we realized that we’d walked past the Al / Locket spur, so we backtracked 30 yards and took the small footpath to the West, up and over a small ridge. This section is steep and not as well defined as the main trail, but quite passable. Passing Al, we proceeded to Locket and arrived to find the only obvious campsites already taken. We improvised a camp back up the hill between Locket and Al.

The mosquitos were terrible at our camp and almost everywhere once we moved past Jade Lake. Jade had far fewer insects, for reasons unclear.

The next morning, we quickly broke camp and hiked back to Jade, where our dog swam off some energy and we cast small dry flies to small rising trout. My boys caught about 10 beautiful cutthroat, the biggest maybe 8”. I couldn’t resist a short swim before setting off towards home. 

Departing Jade, we basically fell out of the high valley. We were back at the river crossing in 1h 45m. The final 5 mile walk out was uneventful. We concluded our outing with cheeseburgers and shakes at Zeke’s on Hwy 2.