The mining town of Index (platted in 1893) is just a mile off the beaten path of State Route 2. The Skykomish Tribe had a village near what eventually became the townsite,
In addition to mining, the area has supported logging, quarrying, and recreation over the years. Currently, recreation provides the only economic base for this popular destination for kayakers, rafters, hikers, and mountain climbers.
You can find lodging, like the historic (and potentially haunted) Bush House Inn, stock up on hiking snacks, or book a whitewater rafting trip.
Mount Index towers over the valley, and views and photo ops are spectacular!
Doolittle Pioneer Park is the home of the annual Index Art Festival. It has a covered picnic shelter and restrooms, and a saw blade that cut Index Granite over 100 years ago.
Index Town Wall: a 500-foot vertical climb is considered to be one of the nation’s premier rock-climbing spots.
Heybrook Ridge County Park 1.6-mile trail is of moderate difficulty through natural regrowth forest and culminates in stellar views of Skykomish Valley at the top of the ridge. Parking is available but there are no facilities. The rule is, “pack it in, pack it out” (no permit needed).
