With fall season in full swing and a good weather window open for a day, I day-hiked Necklace Valley.
The fall colors along East Fork Foss River are peaking at the moment. Even if you don't intend to head up to Necklace valley, hiking the river valley is worthwhile by itself, especially early in the morning, as the fog is lifting from the golden trees in between the evergreens.
I started at the Necklace Valley trailhead just before 7am, getting on the trail with first light. I reached the bolder field across the river at the beginning of the climb to Necklace Valley before 10am. I made it to Jade Lake before noon. I hiked towards the far end of the valley to where the boot path towards Tank Lakes starts. I hit my turnaround time there at 1pm. On my way back I stopped by Opal, Emerald, Al and Locket Lakes before making my way back down. I crossed the East Fork Foss river by 5pm on my way back and was back at the trailhead by 7:30pm. My Garmin tracked 26.67 miles and 5,023 feet elevation gain. According to Garmin, my moving time was 8 hours, 40 minutes. I dumped the GPX track on CalTopo here.
I was the only person up there the entire day. There was no other car when I arrived and by the time I got back to my car, there were no others either.
There was a fair amount of snow (~4 inches) towards the far end of Necklace Valley from the weekend already. I could see fresh animal tracks in the snow (some smaller cats too, probably bobcats?). There was a lot more snow accumulated towards the ascend to La Bohn and Tank Lakes in the shadow of those ridges.
The trail was wet, slippery and muddy for many sections. Parts of the trail were flooded from snow melt. The log bridge across East Fork Foss River is in a good enough condition, just mind how slippery it is now. Some of the other log bridges were somewhat suspect or partially collapsed already. Many of the wooden boardwalks are unstable and slippery as well. Slow down, use your hiking poles and be careful.
The Necklace Valley cabin is falling apart now. The wood is in such a bad shape that parts of the roof are beginning to cave in. Don't expect to seek shelter in the cabin the next time you go up there.
I was hoping I could push myself to get up to La Bohn Lakes or Tank Lakes before the season ends, but it was a bit too far with how strenuous the trail conditions were already.
With more snow coming in this weekend, I'd say Necklace Valley is probably done for the season even for marathon day hikers now.
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