Necklace Valley Trail

Necklace Valley Trail (#1062), accessed from the Foss River Road area near Skykomish, is a long backpacking climb into Alpine Lakes Wilderness that’s built around a sequence of alpine lakes (starting with Jade Lake). The route starts out easier along the East Fork Foss River, then steepens into the Necklace Valley basin where most of the off-river effort pays off in lake camping options.

Route profile is distinctly two-stage: the first five miles gain about 600 feet while you travel along the East Fork Foss River corridor, including early forest travel through naturally-regenerated second-growth (logged by railroads in the 1930s). At about mile 5, the trail reaches the East Fork Foss River crossing; conditions at the foot log and snowmelt can make this crossing feel serious.

After the mile-5 crossing, the hike turns into a sustained climb into the sub-alpine valley. Expect a steep, grueling section gaining about 2,550 feet in roughly 2.2 miles to reach Jade Lake, followed by the valley terrain where camps are placed on durable sites rather than in fragile meadows.

Camping is a major part of how this route is meant to be ridden/hiked: there are established campsite areas on the river at mile 5 and again in Necklace Valley at Jade, Emerald, Ilswoot, Opal, Cloudy, Al, Locket and Jewel Lakes. Campfires are prohibited in the Necklace Valley area, and the meadows/vegetation are explicitly protected by requiring camping on established sites.

For logistics, the trail is within the wilderness with standard restrictions (no motorized use, bikes, or stock). Dogs are allowed but must be leashed, and group size is limited (maximum 12).

Permits and fees are part of the trip setup: a Northwest Forest Pass (or equivalent recreation pass for day use fee payment) is used at the trailhead, and an Alpine Lakes Wilderness self-issue permit is required for day and overnight use (issued at trailheads between May 15 and October 31). The trailhead also has vault toilets, with potable water not available at the site.

More information: Visitor information, Visitor information, Cynthia & Tex: PNW Hiking and Outdoor Adventures — Backpacking to East...