I hit deep snow on FS rd # 62 just before the Tonga ridge road junction, so I turned around and parked about 1/2 way between the junction and the railroad trestle. A vehicle that's really good in the snow could make the junction, but it's snowmobile country beyond there anyway. I wasn't going to risk getting stuck to save a 5-minute walk. Daisy and I left the car at 11 am and we were at the summer trailhead 1 1/4 miles away in 45 minutes. I played some catch with the dog in the parking lot area, which was under a couple of feet of very firm snow. We hit the trail just after noon, snow about a foot deep but pretty good walking. There were some snowshoe tracks that quickly petered out, the only human tracks we saw. Following the trail was pretty easy, as I have been there several times before, and the snow was somewhat ""grooved"" by the passage of previous feet before the last snowfall. In places, usually deep woods, the trail surface was completely bare of snow. We next came to the bridge at Burn Creek, a high, true log bridge, covered in snow, with a raging creek and moss-covered rocks below. Crossing was no problem as the snow was not too deep and very compacted. Then came the wilderness boundary and the descent to the level of a meadowy, swampy area that surrounds the river at this point. The snow was getting deeper and softer, and we had come about 3.5 miles already, so we picked a nice spot with a little view and took our turn-around break. We stayed until 3, then headed back. It took two hours of hiking and 1/2 hour of resting to get back to the car. Our trip stats were: 7 miles R/T, 600 ft elevation gain/loss. Not a knockout trail by any stretch, but still a nice wilderness trek on a good weather day.

I went to the Foss River Road with my XC skis thinking I'd be able to take advantage of some fresh snow. No way! There is NO snow at this level. There is some compressed snow on the road at the intersection to Tonga Ridge. So instead, I found a trailhead and decided it was a good day for a hike. Just past the Tonga Ridge turn off, there is a parking lot and a well marked trailhead. I now know that this trail leads to the Necklace Valley. This was a nice fairly level hike along a creek and though a nice forest. There is a lot of water on the trail and many small creeks now cross the trail. (Goretex boots were greatly appreciated today!) After following the river for a couple of miles the trail dropped down into a damp valley. I could see the shape of mountains through the trees. Seeing how I was dressed for skiing and not for high mountain travel, I decided I'd gone far enough. It was a nice spontaneous hike on a day without rain.

As we were trudging up the slippery trail to Necklace Valley I was thinking of how I would write this trip report. We started July 5 and hiked the relatively easy 5 miles to a beautiful campsite. The last mile the bushes were overgrown and there were waist-high nettles just waiting to sting hikers. There are several nasty roots that could trip anybody who is not watching. That night it rained almost all night, and the next day the trail was wet and difficult. It seemed so much farther than 3 miles! The blueberry bushes were laden with raindrops that spilled on us as we slid by. The part from mile 6 to mile 7 was the worst, some of the trail was like a stream. The trail was generally easy to follow except soon after crossing the Foss river there is a log crossing a stream that seems to go nowhere, but really is a trail up a rock slide. In terms of flowers, we saw lots of twin flowers, dogwood, and higher up the bear grass was starting to bloom, one columbine, several queens cups. There was no snow left at the lakes (we only got to the first two). In terms of bugs, they were not too bad, several in the evening but the respected the repellent. And there was a black and white butterfly with orange-tipped wings, reminding us that not all bugs are annoying. We camped again at the five-mile camp, shortly before crossing the river. After dinner we hung the food and washed out our dishes and left the pans on the ground. When we were packing to leave the next morning we discovered a hole in the lid (see picture) - and the lid had been crushed down about 1/4 inch. We think it must have been a bear, although we didn't notice any tracks. Whatever it was didn't bother our tents or packs or the food that was hanging.

We walked a couple miles up the trail to Necklace Valley through lush forest and a smattering of forest floor flowers. Then we stopped for lunch and walked back enjoying the forest for a second time. This trail's not as flat as I remember it (and this was the part before it goes straight up the mountainside...). The road is in relatively good shape with a few potholes and the trail is fine, though it's starting to get a bit overgrown here and there. Only 5 cars in the parking area and we never saw another person during the hike. Did see a coyote cross the road just before we arrived in Skykomish. No bugs.

A boy and his dog hit the trail late 6/17. It was noted on the board at the TH there had been some bear activity, specifially a yearling had gotten into someones food at ""4-mile camp"". Thus we are all advised to do what we are all supposed to be doing already, HANG UP YOUR FOOD. The low trail is in good shape, having started so late we camped somewhere @4-5th mile before the river crossing. The only nocturnal activity that stirred me was bugs, as I slept under tarp w/ bug net that my pup decided to push open. In the morning we ate some delicous target trail mix and headed out. It had rained during the night leaving all the brush overhanging the trail wet and in process soaking me. It should be noted that the low trail has some patches of nettles both arm and knee height- wear longsleeves and pants. The 2-3 miles climbing are rough on a potbellied man like myself but wonderdog and I cleared it ok. As the last report says, the trail is very very wet right now, and while I think my crummy boots allowed my socks to sponge up most of it, I'll bet theres still some soupy mud to go around. The lakes are of course georgeous, and once up to the tippy there is plenty to roam around and plenty of good campsites. The fish were a bit finicky, not having any of my kastmaster, spoon, or black fly off my spinner rod. Hrrrumph. I wouldn't mind spending more time convincing them to strike, but the pup gets bored pretty quick. Having spent the day up there we decided to try to play adventure racer and beat feet out. My hurried pace resulted in a good bit of tripping and falling, slick going up=even slicker going down. Be careful. I would not want to descend from the lakes to low trail after dark. As it was it was plenty dark along the low trail on the way out. Overall, a wonderful trail. Good waterproof boots are a requirement to fully enjoy though. Take care!