This is indeed a steep trail -- pretty level for the first five miles and then steep and rough for the next 2.5 miles. It's definitely harder than the typical 7.5 mile hike. But the lakes at the top are worth it. Really pretty, and even prettier as you go up toward La Bohn Gap and the Tank Lakes valley. There was no snow on the trail, and only a few tiny spots of mud. The bugs, on the other hand, were bad. They were on us almost all the time, even when we were moving pretty fast. In camp they drove us into the tent as soon as we finished cooking dinner. Let's hope they fade away soon.

Trail into valley is snow free with just a couple of established blow downs. Once you leave the valley snow starts about 5300 feet. The back wall of the valley with the gap leading up to Labonne lakes/chain lakes had too much snow to be passable without climbing equipment. The valley to the right up to Tank, Tahl, Bonnie etc was fine. Did a lot of rambling around up there. Good little lakes for skinny dipping right now. Found a route to Labonne lakes around the backside via Chain Lakes. Upper lakes are still full of snow but are melting out. If you haven't been on this hike before, just a navigation tip. at about 5 miles you'll hit a camp site by the river. Just go straight and a bit to the left and you'll find the continuation of the trail. A bit after that there is a nice river crossing on a footbridge/log with a rail. Continue up the trail on the left side of the stream coming out of Necklace Valley for a bit. The trail will suddenly end and there will be a log off to your right. Follow the trail markings and cairns across the stream on the log and then up through the rock slide to intersect the old trail in about 50 yards from the stream. One other navigation tip. After you get to the first lake, the trail crosses the stream at the head (far end) of the lake just past the big camp site. There are TONS of mosquitoes in the valley. Also recommend NOT camping too close to the lakes in the valley as you'll end up getting soaked in dew.

The East Fork Foss/Necklace Valley trail is a very easy 10.6 mile round trip with only 1200' gain up a gentle narrow woodland valley. We did not actually climb up to the Necklace Valley proper where all the spectacular lakes are. We turned around at the base of the steep part. We were a bit confused about the trailhead. We came to a parking lot off of the West Foss road. There was no sign on the road but inside where the trail actually starts is a sign for "Necklace Valley". The first mile is a very easy, pleasant walk in the woods. Then comes a bridge that is not as scary as it looks. At a little under 5 miles is a really scary log crossing made worse with slippery snow. Beyond that is a log bridge with a handrail. So far so good. Finally at 5.3 miles comes a difficult log crossing marked with cairns on either bank. From there the trail goes straight up into the rocks and snow and clouds. We didn't do that. There is fresh snow on the upper parts of the trail, soft and mushy. We cleared all but two blowdowns and one messy place - all of which are easily crossed. Normal water on the trail from the snow melt. Two blue tags for WTA indicating work points. All in all a very good lowland hike - 3 hours in, 2 hours out. When summer comes, this trail will be overgrown in places, especially on some puncheons which have become nurse logs for new trees.

This is a splendid early season trail with very little altitude gain and lots of deep forest and foliage to admire. The trailhead is well marked at a parking lot just a little beyond the Tonga Ridge road off of the Foss River Road. The first mile is through lush 2nd growth forest to a bridge that is sturdier than it looks. Up to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness sign the blowdowns have been cleared. For about the next 2.5 miles there are some large blowdowns but we cut the branches so they are easy to cross. A WTA crew was working out there today and they constructed some very nice drainage. At just over 3 miles there are nice big rocks down a the river for a rest and lunch. From there to the bluff gets a bit overgrown and then comes the really nasty blowdown mess where we turned around. Lots of flowers if you look for them: bunchberry, bleeding hearts, wild ginger, devil's club, skunk cabbage, foam flower and solomon seal,vanilla leaf and violets. We even found a calypso orchid. Also two frogs. A frog on the trail is good luck.

Wendy and I hiked in about 4 1/2 miles. Lots of trees down requiring to climb over or under. Some snow on the trail about 2/3 the way in. About a mile from the camp site on the river before the climb to Jade Lake, there is a serious slide with rock, snow, tree, etc, which takes out about 40 yards of the the trail. We found it and went on for about a half hour, then decided to turn back. We only ran into one other person and that was a few miles from the trail head as we were headed back. Lots of some flying insects, no bears..lots of fun for an 8 miler round trip. Ill try to down load pictures but I think they are too big.