East Fork Foss - Necklace Valley, Tank Lakes — Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

Someone dear to me said that those around us can be a reflection of ourselves. I wonder if the same can be said of landscape. I sincerely would like to believe such a thing, especially given the beautiful and peaceful place I visited this weekend. It is a ready match for the warmest smile on the loveliest face; enough to evoke that sweet sense of belonging. Though worthwhile, this place requires considerable effort. The Necklace Valley trail always gives me a spanking; nearly half of its length is an obstacle course of rocks, roots, and mud holes. Plus it dallies about between contour lines for the first 6 miles, sneaking at least 500’ more elevation gain into the trip. The route from Necklace to Tank lakes starts at the head of the valley; follow the last stream upward where periodic cairns lend re-assurance through shifting slabs of granite. Foehn lake is about as inviting as a tarn can be, nestled amidst what could be described a rock quarry. The area is really just a raw jumble of terminal and lateral moraines. Once ridgeline is obtained the landscape eases into welcoming domes of bright rock and tiny tarns with grassy margins. South Tank has a cozy bedroom feel that invites one to quietly shuffle about in slippers, gazing at the views to Summit Chief, Overcoat, and Chimney. Tumbled blocks of granite gave the place an ancient aire, a-la Greek ruins. The serenity was shattered repeatedly on Friday by hot-dogging fighter jets, testing their mettle on a mountain obstacle course. My poor hound ran with a look of doom at every shrieking pass less than 200m overhead. They eventually saw us and seemed to make a point of passing even closer. I saluted them dutifully with fingers extended, god bless America. Mosquitoes were another nuisance, but they were easily repelled with a constant coating of DEET. It is not yet time to forego a tent for the tarp. This is the kind of place that reminded me that solo wilderness exploration can be as much an internal process as external. They are both rife with hurt and uncertainty, but in the end worthwhile. I plan on getting further into the unknowns while the opportunity allows; life is too short.