East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley, Tank Lakes — Friday, Jul. 29, 2011

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

There's a bear warning currently in effect for the Necklace Valley. Overnight camping in the Necklace Nalley is not advised. The story is that a hiker left bacon in his or her tent while on a day hike. Well, I guess this bear really likes bacon, so it broke into the hiker's tent and stole said bacon. The bear has since tore into a few more (empty with no food) tents of the trail crew that's working there now. It still runs from humans. The bear may need to be put down. Check the skykomish ranger station website and the trailhead signboard before you go. The first half of 8.2 mile trail to the end of the #1062 is a meandering forest valley hike on a trail that's in really good condition. The trail crew has already been through this section so the brush has been beat back and mudholes fixed. There's some bugs, but it's not too bad. There's some interesting ferns, flowers, and fungus that I'm not used to seeing. After the trail crosses the east fork foss river, the trail turns pretty steep, rooty, rocky. There's 8-10 blowdowns. The trail crew is working this section now, so it should be better in the upcoming weeks. The snow starts at 4600' when you hit the first Necklace Lake, Jade Lake. Cross the sunbleached log at the inlet of Jade Lake to find the trail. I was able to follow other's snow tracks easily. There's only one dry campsite in the middle of Emerald Lake that I saw. Camp at your own risk (see bear warning above). There's also a hikers log cabin, but the wet floor makes it pretty un-enticing. Tank Lakes: The trail to Tank Lakes is completely under snow, if there is a trail. You should be comfortable with traveling off-trail and be in good hiking condition before attempting this. It's fairly firm and I only postholed a few times. Ice ax recommended. Crampons not needed now. I hiked up the gully that starts between Emerald and Opal Lakes at a heading of 220deg. If hiking starts to feel like climbing, you're on the wrong route. Foehn and Tank Lakes are both under snow, with a little blue water resting on the surface. There's great views of the Necklace Valley below, Glacier Peak, Sloan Peak, and Mt Baker in the distance from Foehn Lake. Continue from Foehn Lake at 220deg to reach Tank Lakes. From Tank Lakes, you get awesome views of Chimney Rock and the surrounding peaks and mountains.