Index Town Wall - Forks of the Sky State Park

Probably the best trail in the undeveloped Forks of the Sky State Park is the Index Town Wall. Used by rock climbers for years, this trail is becoming more and more popular with the hiking community. Variety is key with this short hike. You start by dodging freight trains crossing the Cascades, then passing under one of Washington's best rock climbing areas, followed by a steep forest climb, topping out on a high rocky perch where only pine trees seem to be able to gain a footing. So, next time you are passing this area, take just a couple of hours and give the Index Town Wall a visit.

Highest Elevation: 1,820 feet
Hiking distance: 1.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
Access: Paved

From US 2, turn off the highway onto the North Fork Road (also called the Index-Galena Road), signed for Index. In 1 miles, turn left onto 5th street crossing over the bridge. Go into Index, turning left at the second stop sign on to Index Ave. Follow for .3 miles (road will bend) and hit another stop sign. Turn right onto Ave A and follow 0.6 miles to a gravel parking area on the left.

From the parking area, find a wide dirt trail getting up to the railroad tracks. Cross the tracks and immediately turn right. Follow the tracks east a few minutes until the path goes left to the base of the rock wall and find a picnic table next to a sealed tunnel door. Behind the door is a 200-foot bore created to test a machine used for tunneling under the English Channel. Find the trail to the right at the forest edge. As the trail climbs, there will be several trail splits. Follow signs for the Upper Wall. The trail is steep but never gets near any of the cliffs. Just before the top of the wall, you will reach a cable fence blocking an old access road that is more like a stream bed. Follow this stream bed road a short distance up to the first viewpoint. Exercise extreme caution as the edge is not protected. The trail continues along the rim of the Upper Wall to several more dramatic viewing spots.

Train coming up the valley

Mount Persis from the tracks

Mount Index from the tracks

Start of the real trail up to the Upper Index Town Wall

Trail going between two rocks

At the first viewpoint looking down

Viewpoint looking to Wild Sky Wilderness, Haybrook Ridge and the town of Index

Upper Index Town Wall with Mt. Index and Persis in distance

200 foot deep bore behind the door

Mt. Index and the Skykomish River Valley

Taken around 1926 by Lee Pickett (rock etched in 1922)

These black and white images I have found in various photo archives. Most were labeled with Lookout Point