The country road to the Town of Index winds through the woods for about one mile off the "beaten path" of State Highway 2. You may think you're lost until you encounter the new bridge that crosses the glacier fed waters of the Skykomish River. Mt. Index rises quickly, 5,000 feet above the valley. The residents are an eclectic mix of folk from all walks of life. Explore some of the colorful local establishments, such as the Mt. Index General Store, the Mt. Index Cafe, and the Pickett Museum. For a nostalgic Norman Rockwell experience, book your visit to The Rosehill Manor during one of the several Index village annual events.
4th of July Fireworks and Parade: Join the townsfolk along the parade route, featuring the local children and honoring the most senior resident of Index, Wes Smith, for whom the new bridge is named. The whole village turns out to line the bridge for the best view of the spectacular fireworks display. You'll be proud to be an American!
Sky-Fest: A well-attended gathering of river-sports enthusiasts in late June. Kayakers and whitewater rafters converge on the little town for a riverside equipment auction, classes, demonstrations, and workshops. Later, everyone parties to the sounds of a live band at the Grange Hall. Good old-fashioned fun!
Hallowe'en: Halloween in Index boasts the scariest hayride and haunted house west of Sleepy Hollow! Such an outstanding night of fun, you'll want to return year after year.
The Rosehill Manor overlooks the town on a hillside against a popular climbing area known as the "Index Town Wall." Climbers come from all over the world to experience the exciting challenge, famous for requiring a high degree of technical skill.
Affectionately known to the locals as the "Sky," the Skykomish River is the life's blood of Index. Monstrous boulders of granite and marble askew in the riverbed are a constant testimony to the awesome powers of nature. You'll find a picnic area and swimmin' hole near the Pickett Museum. Sometimes roaring, sometimes bubbling, its icy waters are teeming with salmon and trout, including the illusive "unicorn" of game fish, the steelhead. Fishing seasons are nearly year round, but we're told that late fall and early winter are best. Your hostess is happy to provide further information about lake and river fishing in the area. You might also try these helpful links: http://wdfw.wa.gov/;www.washingtonlakes.com; www.nwfishing.com.
For more outdoor adventures to suit a variety of interests, may we suggest the following:
Picnics, nature walks, Lake Serene, Blanca Lake, Wallace Falls State Park, www.parks.wa.gov, Bridal Veil Falls, and many more destinations.
Guided backcountry hikes available with advance notice.
Climbing, both assisted and free climbing, Mt. Index, and the "Index Town Wall." Visit www.stanford.edu/~clint/index for more information. A comprehensive book on the area's climbs is available for $10 at the Mt. Index General Store.
Snow skiing, snowboarding, tubing at Steven's Pass (25 miles East); www.stevenspass.com.
Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Steven's Pass, Wenatchee National Forest, day hiking and overnight. Over 700 alpine lakes and 615 miles of trails. Permit required for nominal fee at the trailhead; www.stevenspass.com; www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee.
Guided and unguided horseback riding and moonlight rides.
Outdoor Yoga lessons.
Not an outdoors buff? How about wine tasting at the Sky River Meadery, www.skyriverbrewing.com.
More touristy fun and sightseeing; The Town of Leavenworth, a Bavarian theme village with wonderful shops and resturants; Iron Goat Trail, a unique combination hike and museum excursion, www.irongoat.org; State Highway 2 is part of the National Scenic Highway system, as is the Cascade Loop, www.cascadeloop.com, Wellington train diasaster site; Sunset Falls fish elevator; Heybrook Lookout Tower, Cascade Tunnel.
Ask your hosts, Moon and Martin Kenney for further details. They will be happy to assist you.
