Big Heart Lake-Necklace Vally Loop, Washington

Another fantastic backpacking in Washington. 

Big Heart Lake-Necklace Valley loop in Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Total 24.6 miles (39.6 km) with 7300 feet (2225 meters) elevation gain

We did 2 nights/3 days, but the third day was only 1 mile. Did that way, because it was easier to camp in wilderness rather than hike out and search for a car campground or dispersed camp on the 2nd night. 1 nighter (full 2 days) is doable for this loop, but one needs to consider off-trail portion takes much longer than on-trail. Despite that,  some trail runners do this loop in a day.

Day1: West Fork Foss River trailhead to Chetwoot Lake

11 miles, 4000 feet elevation gain

First, the trail starts with rain forest. Washington gets a lot of rain for sure. It reminded me of the Hilo area of Big Island, Hawaii. It was another great trip we had a couple of years ago.

There is a very big tree! I don't know what kind of tree it is, but very tall as well as big diameter. Can you see the phone at the bottom of tree? It gives you the scale. 

Only a few mile hike in, you will see Trout lake. Some campers were still there for packing up. Since the previous night was big rain, I admired them. 

The trail is going up and up. The falls, Malachite falls (left picture) in the mist were pretty. Some people were day hikers going to Big Heart lake, some are only forest section to collect mushrooms. 

There is a 0.3 mile spur trail to Malachite Lake. It's only 0.6 mile addition, so we checked it out. Since nobody does spur trail (I admit that I am not a fan of spur in New England, but I DO spur in the West), it was peaceful and beautiful. Reflection of the mountains on the lake was amazing. It was cloudy in the morning, but some blue sky came in here. Still it was chilly and Mr.N didn't swim (surprising). We had lunch here. Our typical lunch is tuna pack and crackers. 

copper lake

Back to the main trail, now very big Copper lake appeared. Another nice lake. It is only 3970 feet here, but looks like alpine lake. Also, I was surprised that so many pikas live such low elevation. In Sierra, they live much higher elevation like 8000 feet above. Here you constantly hear "peeee!" during the hike. Interestingly, pikas here don't show up their appearance(shy),  although they are very vocal. In Sierra or Wyoming or Idaho, without effort, you see so many pikas. Here, even we stop and try to find where they are, because so many pika's voice was heard, it was impossible to see them. 

Little Heart Lake

 The next lake is Little Heart Lake. The color is attractive green. Compared to Copper lake, there is no access to the shore and the view is partially blocked. The trail quickly goes off the lake, but good to see a glimpse of it. 

Big Heart Lake

The next lake is Big Heart Lake. The left picture is the first view of Big Heart lake. Another different blue color. There are many kinds of blue here in one day. It is grateful to see such a variety of blue colors lake after lake. More importantly, they are all beautiful. 

Big Heart Lake

The edge of the lake has such blue color, then 5 minutes walk, the color changes and see the very big part of Big Heart Lake. The official trail ends here and most day hikers stop here and go back, which is 15 mile day hike. Day hikers usually take pictures and rest on the jammed logs you see in the left picture. From here, the off-trail section starts.  

Big Heart Lake

Although it is off-trail, clearly it used to be an official trail, since we saw signs of maintenance done long time ago. The old trail goes up and now see the Big Heart Lake below. More up and up, finally I was able to understand why it is called Big Heart Lake. The picture below explains clearly. 

Big Heart Lake

Big Heart Lake

Now the other end of Big Heart Lake can be seen. It IS big! I love the person who named Big Heart Lake. 

Other side of the lake is also different great blue. 

Other side we could see Trout lake below far away which was the first lake of the day. In the left picture, you see Trout lake in the distance and bigger Delta lake nearby. This can tell how much we climbed. Leaving the Big Heart Lake, the trail got more and more obscure and we took some time to travel. Only a short section after official trail used to be trail and other sections are actually off-trail.

Angeline Lake

The trail stays up, so it is not possible to go to shore, but Angeline lake is super pretty. This lake's blue is the most vivid blue I have ever seen in the wilderness. This is fascinating. 

Chetwoot Lake

Then we arrived at Chetwoot Lake. We set up a tent, and had delicious dinner. 

Day2: Chetwoot Lake to Necklace Valley, 1 mile before trailhead

13.6 miles, 3000 feet elevation gain

Chetwoot Lake

2nd day is sunny and we started the rest of off-trail. Going up the talus field and looking pretty Chetwoot lake below. From here some carin are helpful but took some time to find a correct route to the Iron Cap Lake. 

Iron Cap Lake

Another color is added to the list of lake colors at Iron Cap Lake. 

Otter Lake

Trail doesn't go there but Otter Lake was visible. I can't count the number of lakes anymore. 

Then great glacier mountain in the view!

Summit Chief Mountain, Middle Chief Peak, Little Big Chief Mountain. 

Chief series

Tank Lake with Chief Mountains! My favorite view of this backpacking. Someday I want to camp at Tank Lake. 

Tank Lake

After Tank Lake, it goes down down down the Necklace Valley. Once official trail comes back, it was much easier to hike. Love Washington hikes.