Skykomish Valley

The 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

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

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

By car

US-2 is the only through road and connects all car-accessible points of interest.

See and do

Communities

• 1 Sultan
• 2 Startup
• 3 Gold Bar
• 4 Index
• 5 Baring
• 6 Skykomish

Hiking

Double Rainbow at Wallace Middle Falls

• 1 Wallace Falls State Park (2 miles northeast of Gold Bar). An easy hike through old-growth forest to a series of waterfalls, including the 265-foot showcase. (updated Oct 2024)
• 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. (updated Oct 2024)
• 3 Deception Falls. A small waterfall, almost under the highway. A trail continues into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. (updated Oct 2024)
• 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. (updated Oct 2024)

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. (updated Oct 2024)

River rafting

The Skykomish River is a popular rafting area.

Climbing

• 5 Index Town Wall (From Index, turn right onto Avenue A and drive about 1/2 miles.). A huge rock wall, popular for aid climbing. (updated Nov 2024)

Buy

Grocery stores are available in Sultan and Gold Bar. Additionally, there are gas stations and general stores in Index and Skykomish.

Eat

• 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. (updated Oct 2024)
• 2 Cascadia Cafe (in Skykomish). A diner, decorated wall-to-wall with photos and artifacts from Skykomish's railroad heritage (updated Oct 2024)

Sleep

Camping

The US Forest Service runs the following campgrounds:

• 1 Money Creek Campground. (updated Oct 2024)
• 2 Miller River Campground. (updated Oct 2024)
• 3 Beckler River Campground. (updated Oct 2024)

Go next

• 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