Index

An emergency fire vehicle heads past a barricade and towards Index as numerous agencies attempt to contain the Bolt Creek Fire on Sept. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

It was a classic day for a hike in WA’s Cascades. Then the fire came.

Matt Bishop and Steve Cooper were hiking at Baring Mountain when the Bolt Creek Fire erupted in 2022.

 

Firefighters and EMTs with Sky Valley Fire tour Eagle Falls while on an observational trip on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

Beautiful but deadly: Drownings common at Eagle Falls, other local waters

Locals and firefighters are sounding the alarm as Eagle Falls and the Granite Falls Fish Ladder have claimed five lives this year.

 

People float and swim at Eagle Falls on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Index, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Man, 24, becomes third to drown at Eagle Falls near Index this year

On the Fourth of July, three friends were swimming at the popular, but dangerous, swimming hole. One didn’t make it out, officials said.

 

Allan and Frances Peterson, a woodworker and artist respectively, stand in the door of the old horse stable they turned into Milkwood on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Old horse stall in Index is mini art gallery in the boonies

Frances and Allan Peterson showcase their art. And where else you can buy a souvenir Index pillow or dish towel?

Allan and Frances Peterson, a woodworker and artist respectively, stand in the door of the old horse stable they turned into Milkwood on Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

Index-Galena Road to open Monday — earlier than expected

Residents and recreation enthusiasts can rejoice as Snohomish County will open the road following a mild winter.

The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)
People float and swim at Eagle Falls on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 in Index, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

2 Eagle Falls drowning victims were visiting from Japan

The deceased were identified Tuesday as Hiroya Konosu, 21, and Takayuki Suzuki, 34. Their bodies were recovered Sunday.

People float and swim at Eagle Falls on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 in Index, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Titania ThunderLily, center, holds the maypole as Pagan revelers wrap red-and-white ribbon around it for a Beltane festival in May 2023, at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Index, Washington. Beltane celebrates the height of spring. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Pagan church finds ‘sacred space between the worlds’ on Index riverfront

At the Aquarian Tabernacle Church, rituals with ancient roots celebrate Pagan gods, the Earth and “the smell of smoke in our hair.”

Titania ThunderLily, center, holds the maypole as Pagan revelers wrap red-and-white ribbon around it for a Beltane festival in May 2023, at the Aquarian Tabernacle Church in Index, Washington. Beltane celebrates the height of spring. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A person sits and looks out at Mt. Index in Index, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Near Mt. Index, Forterra secures key piece in conservation puzzle

The nonprofit has been acquiring land in the region for decades. Now the project is complete, with funding from the county.

A person sits and looks out at Mt. Index in Index, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

Index-Galena Road, Mountain Loop Highway close for season

Only 33 days after its reopening, part of Index-Galena Road was shut down due to winter weather.

The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)
The town post office in Index, Washington on Wedesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Index, smallest town in Snohomish County, is No. 1 in voter turnout

Index has beaten the Snohomish County ballot return rate in each of the last 10 years. Snohomish County leaders have a few theories as to why.

The town post office in Index, Washington on Wedesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Climbers purchase 20 acres of famed climbing walls in Index

Climbing groups bought the parcel Monday, including Lower Lump and Inner Walls, calling it “the final big piece of the puzzle.”

The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)

‘The best day in 17 years’: Locals revel in Index-Galena Road reopening

Closed for 17 years after a storm, a road connecting Index to the Wild Sky Wilderness has been restored.

The newly rebuilt section of Index-Galena Road is pictured on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, near Index, Washington. (Jordan Hansen / The Herald)
Michal Rynkiewicz (GoFundMe)

Firefighter, 33, identified after deadly climbing fall in Index

Michal Rynkiewicz was a volunteer firefighter for Sky Valley Fire for two months, and he had just gotten married.

Michal Rynkiewicz (GoFundMe)
The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Volunteer firefighter dies in fall from Index Town Wall

The victim was rappelling at the popular site before falling 100 feet Friday evening, rescuers say.

The view from the top of Index Town Wall in Spring 2021. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

1 dead, 2 injured in US 2 crash near Index

The car left the road and crashed into a tree, according to police. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crash near Index briefly blocks U.S. 2 in both directions

By 11 a.m., traffic was alternating on U.S. 2, causing continued delays, but a bit of relief.

Espresso Chalet, seen here on Saturday, July 8, 2023, on U.S. 2, was a filming location for the 1987 film “Harry and the Hendersons” near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

BigFoot, Zombies and Viggo Mortensen: What’s been filmed near Index?

The casts and crews of “Harry and the Hendersons,” “Captain Fantastic” and “Z Nation” filmed in the area.

Espresso Chalet, seen here on Saturday, July 8, 2023, on U.S. 2, was a filming location for the 1987 film “Harry and the Hendersons” near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, Washington, on February 4, 2014. (Mark Mulligan / The Herald)

Body pulled from river believed to be man who fell into Sunset Falls

Last month, a Tacoma man, 40, accidentally fell into the falls near Index, his wife reported.

Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, Washington, on February 4, 2014. (Mark Mulligan / The Herald)
The Country Farm Salad with beet root, asparagus, radish, goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette at the Bush House Inn in Index, Washington on Monday, June 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Get a modern taste of Index history at North Fork Kitchen

Located in the restored Bush House Inn, this homey spot serves coq au rhum and sidewinder fries to locals and out-of-towners alike.

The Country Farm Salad with beet root, asparagus, radish, goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette at the Bush House Inn in Index, Washington on Monday, June 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)