Necklace Valley
A long and somewhat strenuous hike out to a lush meadowy valley filled with a half-dozen alpine lakes sure to light your imagination.
Total Distance: 16.8 miles
Total Ascent: 3200ft
Highest Point: 4800ft
Total Ascent: 3200ft
Highest Point: 4800ft
To get there, take Highway 2 out past Skykomish just beyond milepost 50. Take a right onto FR 68, also known as the Foss River Road. Continue on the road for 4.2 miles (the road becomes gravel after about a mile) to the Necklace Valley Trailhead and parking area on your left. View Google Directions >>
From the trailhead, the Necklace Valley Trail #1062 begins very gently, following ancient railbed into the trees. Cross into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness at 1.5 miles. After 3.3 miles reach a decent campsite with another not far beyond at 3.8 miles.
Push onward to the 4.6 mile mark and a sometimes difficult crossing of the East Fork Foss River. Use caution during times of high water. After the crossing the trail leaves the bottom of the river valley to begin a rough and tumble climb up the ridge, following the Necklace Valley Lakes drainage creek. Ascend steeply, trading trees for open country dominated by talus fields, low brush and a dancing creek. After more than two miles of hard climbing reach Jade Lake at the 7.4 mile mark. The first of the Necklace Valley Lakes, it’s tempting to drop your pack here, but the show is just beginning. Press onward another 0.5 mile to a memorial cabin placed by the Trailblazers in a rolling meadow just above Emerald Lake at 7.9 miles. From here side trails branch out in many directions. The last Necklace Valley Lake is Opal, another 0.5 mile through the lush meadows. Other trails lead down to Emerald and beyond to Ilswoot Lake, where some of the best campsites lie hidden in the trees.
Also tucked in Necklace Valley find Locket Lake, Al Lake, Cloudy Lake and the Jewel Lakes. Further up the scree-covered slopes are Tahl Lake, Tank Lakes, Foehn Lake and La Bohn Lakes. There's a lot more to Necklace Valley, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!
Push onward to the 4.6 mile mark and a sometimes difficult crossing of the East Fork Foss River. Use caution during times of high water. After the crossing the trail leaves the bottom of the river valley to begin a rough and tumble climb up the ridge, following the Necklace Valley Lakes drainage creek. Ascend steeply, trading trees for open country dominated by talus fields, low brush and a dancing creek. After more than two miles of hard climbing reach Jade Lake at the 7.4 mile mark. The first of the Necklace Valley Lakes, it’s tempting to drop your pack here, but the show is just beginning. Press onward another 0.5 mile to a memorial cabin placed by the Trailblazers in a rolling meadow just above Emerald Lake at 7.9 miles. From here side trails branch out in many directions. The last Necklace Valley Lake is Opal, another 0.5 mile through the lush meadows. Other trails lead down to Emerald and beyond to Ilswoot Lake, where some of the best campsites lie hidden in the trees.
Also tucked in Necklace Valley find Locket Lake, Al Lake, Cloudy Lake and the Jewel Lakes. Further up the scree-covered slopes are Tahl Lake, Tank Lakes, Foehn Lake and La Bohn Lakes. There's a lot more to Necklace Valley, and you can learn all about it in Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide. You'll find a trail map, route descriptions, history, and more for this and many other hikes throughout the State. Help support hikingwithmybrother.com and the work we do by picking up a copy!
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