activities

While A Cabin on the Sky is an excellent place for relaxation and romance, the surrounding area also offers many opportunities for recreational activities.

Within walking distance from the house there can be found some of Washington’s best rock climbing and steelhead fishing. Within a five-mile drive you can be hiking a trail to a beautiful waterfall and a gorgeous lake at the base of Mount Index. There are also great rafting and kayaking opportunities within walking distance.

The Skykomish River splits just below the town of Index. The main river, as well as the North and South Forks, offer excellent steelhead and trout fishing. The North Fork offers a remote feel but is easily accessed by an infrequently traveled road which parallels it (road is currently closed).. The lower main river is one of the area’s premier steelhead fisheries.

Some of the best hiking and mountain biking trails in the Northwest are found in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains. From a short one-hour hike to a full day or even overnight excursion, you can experience a wide variety of terrain and breath-taking high mountain scenery.

There are numerous trails within a short drive from your front door at A Cabin on The Sky. Lake Serene is a moderately steep hike of four miles that ends at the base of the seemingly vertical Mount Index. The sparkling water reflects its towering majesty as the plentiful trout cruise below its surface looking for their next meal.  And don't forget Lookout Point, located on the Climbing Wall right here in Index.  It's a challenging hike but well worth the beautiful view of the town below.

A one half mile side trip off the main trail off Mt. Index, takes you to the base of the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls, and is worth the extra short walk.

The Skykomish offers some of the wildest commercially guided white water rafting and kayaking in the state. There is a ten-mile section of the Skykomish River above Index that is rated class III-V. For the adventure seeker, this river is where you’ll find what you’re looking for.

For commercially guided rafting and kayaking, we recommend Outdoor Adventure Center or Chinook Expeditions.  Both are local companies with an excellent reputation.

The town of Index has a classic rock climbing area with steep and challenging free and aid climbing routes. There is one 5.6 route on the Great Northern Slab, and a handful of 5.7 and 5.8 routes as well. The majority of the routes at Index are aid routes and steep crack climbs.

A few of the classic routes in the area include a three star 5.9 route named Godzilla and Town Crier, an airy multi-pitched aid route.

The wonderful granite and clean cracks of the area make Yosemite climbers feel at home.

Stevens Pass Ski Area is located on the crest of the Cascade Range. It receives an average of 450 inches of snowfall each year, covering 1,125 acres of ski-able terrain, including 37 major runs and numerous bowls, glades and faces. The ski area still retains the charm and characteristics that make it such a fabulous family area, but also contains an abundance of terrain for more adventurous skiers.

The Nordic Center features 25 km of wide, groomed trails and offers both traditional tracked trails and adjoining skating lanes for different skiing styles and abilities. The center is located five miles east of the Stevens Pass Ski Area on Highway 2.

And for those people who don't ski, Stevens Pass also features a tubing area with great rope tows and lots of downhill fun!