East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley, La Bohn Gap & Mount Hinman — Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

Day hiked Hinman up the Necklace Valley to La Bohn Gap. First 5 miles are pretty easy, minimal elevation gain. There are nice campsites every mile or so during this section. Then the trail crosses the stream and gets a little steeper. Reaches the Necklace Valley around 8 miles. Some of the lakes are pretty dried up, but it is still a nice valley. At the end of the valley we left the trail and ascended the La Bohn Gap. We didn't take the "waterfall route," instead we just ascended the obvious boulder gully. It was pretty straightforward, mostly just class 2. One group did the waterfall route, said it wasn't bad. La Bohn lakes are beautiful, no snow around. From there we ascended the shoulder of Hinman and stayed on the North side of the ridge. A few snow/glacier crossings high on the ridge around 7000 ft, but we were fine in just running shoes. Most of the ridge is just class 2 with a sprinkling of class 3, but the biggest annoyance is by far the lose rocks. During the last 20 minutes, just about every boulder we stepped on slid or rocked. We stopped at the ridge around 7450 ft, so technically were 40 ft short of the true summit, but that involved a more serious glacier crossing and we didn't have the time or gear for that, so started back. Total about 24 miles and 7000 ft gain. An incredible hike and great views. Travel is slow from the end of the Necklace Valley because it is sustained class 2 and lots of loose choss. Definitely worth it though.