East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley — Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2010

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

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.