This trip was a three day, two night backpack trip, camping the first night at Jade Lake and the second at Lower La Bohn Lake. Smoke was an issue on this trip. Friday was okay, Saturday was worse (especially in the morning), and Sunday was pretty bad. It's a pity because otherwise conditions would have been excellent, with good weather and bugs not too bad.
The East Fork Foss River trail is as advertised, flat and easy for the first 5 miles, then relentlessly uphill for a few miles after that. Fortunately, there are plenty of berries on the uphill section to distract from the pain. On Friday, a lot of the people we met were heading out past Necklace Valley to higher country, leaving Necklace Valley surprisingly quiet. No one else was camped at Jade. Took the rest of the afternoon to walk to nearby lakes. Emerald and Ilswoot are easy to access, and Al and Locket are a bit harder. I liked how the lakes were different from each other, in color, size, and situation. Lots of little frogs jumping around.
Past the end of the trail, travel gets more difficult. There are cairns marking the way up to LaBohn lakes so navigation isn't much of an issue, but the "trail" is mostly boulderfields and the rest is steep tread through the forest of the veggie belay variety. From Lower LaBohn over to Chain Lakes, it's pretty much pick your route through the boulders. There's a lot to explore down there, with a handful of little lakes, the old mine remnants, and some interesting rocks and minerals.
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