This trip was a WTA logout. The East Fork Foss-Necklace Valley Trail is now logged out to Jade Lake, except for one duck-under log at approx. 3.5 miles from the trailhead. This one log unfortunately had some complications that kept us from making a clean sweep. 

The trail is very brushy from about mile 3 to mile 5. Watch out for nettles and devil's club here.

The Forest Service has fixed the rails on the bridge over the East Fork Foss River past 5-mile camp. We added rocks in the river so you don't have to scramble over a root wad to get on the bridge (at least for this season).

Flowers lower included fringe cup, tiarella, columbine, fireweed, and goats beard. Salmonberries and huckleberries were ripe. Heather was blooming close to Jade Lake. Snow-free as far as Jade.

Necklace Valley Trail is in great condition. First few miles before the climb are very brushy, recommend long sleeves and pants. Lots of water on trail, plan to get your feet wet, but the Foss was easily crossable. Small patches of snow remain up in the valley. The way trail to Locket Lake was tricky to follow but affords great views.

Bugs were terrible, I used a net but definitely should have used bug spray on extremities as well as my ankles and hands are covered in bites.

Besides that it was a nice, peaceful trip. Only four cars at the parking lot when we arrived, only ours left on Sunday afternoon.

The dogs needed a good walk and I wanted to check out more of the trail after the WTA work party last week so Necklace Valley Trail it is. The 3 miles of gravel road is in great shape. There are 5 cars in the lot when we arrive at about 11 a.m. n a sunny Wednesday morning. Toilet at the trailhead is nothing special but not a disaster either. Trail is in great shape all the way to the bridge about a mile in. Brushed well and not a single blowdown. The next mile or so to the crossover to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness could use a little brushing but was not bad and just two little blowdowns that were easy to step over. We hiked about one more mile to where we could see what is called Alturas Lake on the map but is more like a swampy bog. The dogs were getting hot so we turned around and headed back to the car. Total hike was about 6 miles and about 600 feet of elevation. We never saw another person. Loved this hike. Looking forward to coming back to get all the way to the lakes 7 or 8 miles in.

Trail in solid condition up to the scree field. Plenty of fun trail features to look at, although quite brushy in some spots.

I turned around at the scree field, about 5 miles in.

Almost nettle free which was nice.

Saw a WTA crew leader scouting their work parties for the weekend. Sounds like this trail is getting a fair bit of attention in 2024. Excited to get out there again with more time.

Went up today, and got 8.5mi in, to the north end of Jade Lake. Snow cover on the side of the lake has lots of air pockets underneath, so I did not head to the south end of the lake.

Snow on trail doesn’t start until mile 8 or so, but there are snow bridges and large air pockets underneath that look risky. I punched through on one foot and hit air.

A few blowdowns cross the trail along the way, with two or three having some challenge to getting across, but didn’t prevent me from getting thought

Almost missed the turn to head up hill (marked by cairns) after the river crossing, but it’s marked if you’re looking for it.

The whole place was filled with small widlflowers, and even some baby huckleberries. Not sure what berries will survive this early, but it could be a bumper crop that comes early this year in this location.