Geezer Patrol at full compliment plus a spouse opted for the first 5 miles of this hike knowing that the path up to Jade Lake is now lost forever due the lack of warm beds and a hot tub. The "naturally regenerated" forest extends into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness about another mile before you begin to commune with the Ancient Ones. The trail is in fine shape with all water passages easily forded. Lots of fresh brush alongside and a few skeeters around near the damp zones. This trail has lots of small up and downs and you actually accrue 1000' elevation gain on the way in and another 300' on the way out. So if yer thinking of chucking a 10lb bag of M&M's in your pack cuz it's a cake walk, drop it to 5. On the way, your eyes can find the elusive and mysterious calypso orchid in the undergrowth and the views North to the granite wall a thousand feet above lends itself to those internal discussions about where to run when you hear the rock cracking above. The first campsite at 4+ miles is inviting but we continued on to the mongo campsite 200 yards shy of the footbridge for beachy sun bathing at the rivers edge. A fine place for the luncheon before heading back. The river and feeder creeks are really moving so some care is required during transits. Cold, clear snowmelt good for giardia free drinking and sore feet soaking.

This trail follows the E Fork Foss River, meandering up and down, first away and then alongside the river. There are lots of little side streams and small waterfalls, plus 'peak a boo' views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is a bit overgrown in spots, but easy to follow. The boardwalk bridges are crooked and some of the boards are beginning to rot. There is enough variation in vegetation to hold your interest all 5 miles. About 3 miles in you will reach the first river campsites. Continue along the river until you come to a crossing log. You will know it is the right log because you will see a few grooves carved in it that have not yet worn away. Continue on until you hit an obvious crossing log with a hand rail. Be careful, there is a section missing. Watch out for children, dogs and newbie hikers on both crossings. Once across there is plenty of room to eat your lunch on the log. The trail continues on across another log and runs into a boulder field on the other side of the river. There is supposed to be a trail up the boulder field to the Necklace Valley, we could not find it, but we really weren't looking. We are thinking of backpacking to the river and then dayhiking to the lakes later in the season. Does anybody know about the trail across the boulder field? Lots in bloom on the way up, first of the coralroots just opening up, trillium and orchids finishing. Backcountry loo at the campsites before the river crossings.

I was hoping to get at least to Jade Lake, if not Opal Lake or higher. Unfortunately I turned back about a mile short of Jade Lake, just after the Nesby(?) Memorial Footbridge around elev 3800ft due to (for me) unsafe snow conditions. The snow patches begin around 3200ft, and you'll hit continuous snow around 3500ft. The trouble is the disintegration of the snow right now. It's early summer snow, and the route is riddled with snow bridges where it has melted out from underneath. Several times I realized after the fact I had been stepping on 8 inch thick snow bridging over 3 feet of empty space. That's a recipe for turned or broken ankles. I took many falls but managed just a bruised butt. It's still a great snow-free hike to the campgrounds near the river fork (about 5-6 miles in) and about 3 or 4 parties seemed to be spending their Memorial Day weekend there. But I had my heart set on the Necklace lakes. It's still too early in the season (or too late in the season to do it as a snowshoe.) Maybe 2-3 weeks from now? If you make it let me know.

I woke up and wanted to get there earlier but arrived at the trailhead about 830AM with only 1 other car in the lot. (NOTE: on the way to to trail-head the gravel road forks. Right where the sign for northwest forest pass is. KEEP RIGHT, it will be clearly marked up on your left a little ways.) It was a wet morning with at least a light drizzle, for most of the day. I will say, the trail is very well defined and easy to follow aside from a few spots, bu tno gps needed for this one. Lots of birds singing to me, and LOTS of stream/river crossings. on, over and through them so bring your GoreTex/waterproof boots to stay dry! This hike had a pleasant noise of running and crashing waters for most of the way. In spots the little trench dug out from the walking path is completely filled with water, like a huge stream shaped pond. that mixed with some muddy spots and trying to re-route myself around fallen trees and the rest of the mess was a little fun for me, but pretty annoying if you just want a pleasant stroll along the river. its a very flat trail all until you cross the river. Turns out the 1 car i saw in the parking lot was an over-nighter that had camped out the previous night. i ran into him at the 1 nice little camping space right before the river crossing. he said conditions werent bad for sleeping, it rained a tad but the wind wasnt much of an issue. The major river crossing which requires holding on to the railing isnt too scary, just make sure to take it slow, the log is a little slick from all the rain. This is where i would definitely turn around if yo uwant to come for a dayhike. overall it will still make a nice 10 mile outing on flat ground, only gaining 600 ft overall. I however wanted to make it to jade lake, i got about 2 miles up the trail, and no further unfortunately.After going around 2 very annoying and hard to get around blowdowns on the STEEP trail upward,it went from no snow, to postholing past my knee in a talus field. the snow was very soft and i didnt have snowshoes (dont know how much better that wouldve made anything, the snow is so soft). i had crmapons and ice axe just in case bu werent needed. This is where i decided to turn around for the day because i didnt want to break an ankle or leg trying to make it there. I didnt have a problem with bugs other than running my face into a million spider webs. Also, take it slow on the gravel road, some BAD potholes.

Was a nice day, and I though I could reach the Necklace Valley lakes. Got out later than I thought, and eventually left parking area at 10:30...ick. Gave myself an absolute turnaround time at 1pm. Everything was frozen and crunchy underfoot, but the snow was hardened--no need for the snowshoes or even spikes. Crossed the bridge and started climbing--I have no idea whether I was on the actual Jade Lake trail section, because I climbed and climbed and climbed, and found no lake. Maybe I missed it in the snow? I have no idea. There was only a vague semblance of a path, and no prints from previous snow-hikers...so...who knows? I turned around at 1pm, exhausted, and headed down--wore spikes for that, but probably unnecessary. Avalanche danger was minimal after the cold weather and light accumulation. A long day--I was absolutely spent by the time returning to car...Maybe that lake is up there, or maybe I was in between the wrong peaks.