East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley — Sunday, Jun. 15, 2003

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

At 9:30 AM Saturday I hit the Necklace Valley Trail, planning to hike as far as I could and still be back at the car by 4 PM. No other cars in the parking area-a perfect hike for solitude. Many creeks are rushing down across the trail to join Foss River, but there's no problem crossing any of them. Wet foilage hanging over the trail in the meadow areas got my boots and clothing temporarily soaked. Many wildflowers were in bloom, also saw several frogs jumping off the trail. Got to the log bridge to cross the Foss, and there standing on the bridge was a brown BEAR, looking down into the river! She didn't see me immediately, but then I backed away and she looked up, and ran off the opposite bank. I decided it was my turn-around time. Met two hikers comming in and alerted them of the bear. GREAT HIKE!