East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley — Saturday, May. 31, 2014

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

This trail follows the E Fork Foss River, meandering up and down, first away and then alongside the river. There are lots of little side streams and small waterfalls, plus 'peak a boo' views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is a bit overgrown in spots, but easy to follow. The boardwalk bridges are crooked and some of the boards are beginning to rot. There is enough variation in vegetation to hold your interest all 5 miles. About 3 miles in you will reach the first river campsites. Continue along the river until you come to a crossing log. You will know it is the right log because you will see a few grooves carved in it that have not yet worn away. Continue on until you hit an obvious crossing log with a hand rail. Be careful, there is a section missing. Watch out for children, dogs and newbie hikers on both crossings. Once across there is plenty of room to eat your lunch on the log. The trail continues on across another log and runs into a boulder field on the other side of the river. There is supposed to be a trail up the boulder field to the Necklace Valley, we could not find it, but we really weren't looking. We are thinking of backpacking to the river and then dayhiking to the lakes later in the season. Does anybody know about the trail across the boulder field? Lots in bloom on the way up, first of the coralroots just opening up, trillium and orchids finishing. Backcountry loo at the campsites before the river crossings.