East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley — Saturday, Aug. 2, 2003

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

Easily one of my favorite hikes. 5th time: 3 times as a backpack, this was the second time as a day hike. Started out Sunday at 6am. About 12 vehicles- 3 suvs!- good to see some of them out hiking (or is it?) Had the trail to myself ( and cleared cobwebs) til just below Jade. Trail in good shape- used my hands in a few places below Jade- but I would not call it a ""pack trail"" as noted on the topo map. Just plodded along without really stopping, so the bugs seemed fine. Blueberries. Flowering Bear Grass. A slug and two snakes. Two dogs (one loud) at Jade Lake. Went on up to LaBohn Lakes via the outlet route. Too relaxed to continue on up Hinman- plus the clouds seemed to be moving in and getting darker. Gazed over at LaBohn Gap, Bear's Breast, Chain Lakes, Chimney & Overcoat. Turned around at noon. No litter anywhere along the route. As always, those last five miles allow plenty of time for introspection. Trailhead at 5pm. I was met by someone needing jumper cables (second time in my last three trips!).