East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley — Friday, Aug. 3, 2001

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

Fleetfoot and I started hiking at 1:15. One couple in front of us. Parking lot full. Couple of guys just came down. Many cedar stumps with springboard notches in them. Temp. is great for hiking. Many ups and downs- we begin to wonder if we are going to get to the river crossing. We pass young couple and lone hiker just before river. Large campsite in here is taken. We break at river- lone hiker goes on. Just on other side of river we meet a guy trying to give away food before going out. We trade a quart of water for a can of spam. Just about 4 o’clock as we head up rocks. Gain several hundred feet quickly then traverse uphill some. About 12 ladies come down from dayhike. Even though it is overcast it gets warm in here. Lots of bugs on lower section but not too bad as we go up. Pass lone hiker and break at Memorial Bridge. Couple adults with kids going down to site by river. About 800 feet of elevation from here but with lots of mud, rocks and roots. Trail seems to go on forever. Hopefully most people are out as we are tired and now plan to stop at first spot we see- had hoped to go to Ilswoot. On and on but we finally reach Jade lake- site at north end is taken. We spot another tent at south end- lucky us there is another spot. We stop. Lone hiker comes right behind us-he finds a spot. It is 6:45 –put tent up and get dinner going. Young couple come by. Call it a night at 9o’clock. Up at 7o’clock. Have warm Spam on bagel. Would like to see Al and Locket lakes but first to Emerald with lighter packs. Pass tents at Emerald and Opal lakes. Check at shelter built in 50’s.Trail is friendly in here as we go to end of basin. Take a break to decide if we want to go up by La Bohn lakes. No ice axes so we go toward Foehn lakes. Follow stream up rocks and decide to go for saddle between peaks 6263 and 6585. Take break by large rock- we set a 1o’clock turnaround time- 9:30 now so we leave our packs and head up more. Sloan peak and Glacier Peak come into view. Still some snow fields in here. Fleetfoot finds glacier glasses under a rock. About 10 o’clock we are heading up to saddle. Lots of loose rocks as we get off snow-little better above. WOW! What a view-Summit Chief, Chimmy Rock and Overcoat Pk..We can see a little of IronCap- La Bohn lakes and Foehn lakes. Our turn around time has arrived so we will not get to Tank lakes. Slowly down this section and back to our packs by 110’clock. Marmots and pika in the area. We want to get to Ilswoot as the food guy said the color was out of this world. A group camped here. We ask if a short swim will disturb their fishing. No! It has been sunny this morning but overcast now. I am not to sure about a swim but fleetfoot goes for it. I must also get the first swim of the year in. Cold- in and out. Little cross-country gets us to Jade at 1:15. Side trip to Ilswoot worth the delay- will have to get to Al and Locket some other time. Start back at 1:40. One couple and group of four going in. Back to car at 6:30-very tired. First backpack of the year. Excellent!!