French
DeutschThe Skykomish Valley (sometimes Sky Valley) is a rural river valley in Washington State, containing the small communities of Sultan, Startup, Gold Bar and Baring in Snohomish County, and Index and Skykomish in King County.
Understand
[edit | edit source]During the last ice age, glaciers receded, leaving behind the U-shaped Skykomish Valley, and the dramatic peaks framing it, such as Mt. Index, Mt. Baring, Gunn Peak, and Mt. Persis.
In the 1890s the Great Northern Railway was built along the Skykomish River, crossing the crest of the Cascades at Stevens Pass. The railroad is still in use, but more people know the region as the scenic access drive to skiing and wilderness getaways.
Get in
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US-2, commonly called the Stevens Pass Highway, runs through the valley, connecting Monroe to Stevens Pass.
For Seattle residents, Leavenworth is a popular weekend getaway, and Stevens Pass is a major ski resort. Because of this, traffic is notoriously bad on weekends. Expect traffic delays eastbound on Saturday mornings, and westbound on Sunday afternoons.
Get around
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By car
[edit | edit source]US-2 is the only through road and connects all car-accessible points of interest.
See and do
[edit | edit source]Communities
[edit | edit source]Hiking
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- 1 Wallace Falls State Park, 14503 Wallace Lake Rd, Gold Bar (2 miles northeast of Gold Bar), ☏ +1 360793-0420, [email protected]. 8AM-Dusk. An easy hike through old-growth forest to a series of waterfalls, including the 265 ft (81 m) showcase.
- 2 Bridal Veil Falls. An easy hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in the region. Continue on a steeper hike to alpine Lake Serene.
- 3 Deception Falls (Milepost 56, entrance on N side of highway). A small waterfall, almost under the highway. A trail continues into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
- 4 Iron Goat Trail. A hiking trail along a retired stretch of the Great Northern Railway, through the abandoned townsite of Wellington. Learn about life along a mountain railroad stop, and the most deadly avalanche in US history.
Most of the surrounding mountains are administered as part of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Most trailheads require a parking pass, such as the Interagency Annual Pass or Northwest Forest Pass.
- 1 Skykomish Ranger Station, 74920 NE Stevens Pass Hwy, Skykomish, ☏ +1 360-677-2414.
River rafting
[edit | edit source]The Skykomish River is a popular rafting area.
Climbing
[edit | edit source]- 5 Index Town Wall (from Index, turn right onto Avenue A and drive about 1/2 mile). A huge rock wall, popular for aid climbing.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Grocery stores are available in Sultan and Gold Bar. Additionally, there are gas stations and general stores in Index and Skykomish.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- Sultan and Gold Bar each a variety of dining options.
- 1 Zeke's Drive In (between Gold Bar and Index). A solid roadside shake and burger joint with large portions. The burgers and fries are a popular post-hike food.
- 2 Cascadia Cafe (in Skykomish). A diner, decorated wall-to-wall with photos and artifacts from Skykomish's railroad heritage
Sleep
[edit | edit source]Camping
[edit | edit source]The US Forest Service runs the following campgrounds:
Go next
[edit | edit source]- West to Monroe, then to Everett or Seattle.
- East to Stevens Pass and Leavenworth.
US-2 through Skykomish Valley is part of the North Cascade Loop.
| Routes through Skykomish Valley |
| Everett ← Monroe ← | W  E | → Stevens Pass → Wenatchee |