Index

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)
Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, February 4, 2014.
Photo taken 20140214

Search continues for Tacoma man who fell into Sunset Falls

A 40-year-old man has not been seen since he fell into the waterfall Friday, sheriff’s office say.

Mark Mulligan / The Herald
Sunset Falls cascades down past the existing fish ladder along the Skykomish River east of Index, February 4, 2014.
Photo taken 20140214

Man missing after falling in Sunset Falls near Index

Searchers say they found a shoe and a pair of sweatpants Friday night that matched what the missing man was wearing.

The Wilderness Land Trust transferred a 354-acre property straddling the Wild Sky and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Areas to public ownership, adding it to the designated wilderness areas. (The Wilderness Land Trust)

Wild Sky Wilderness grows 345 acres, as transfer chips at private land

The Wilderness Land Trust announced it had completed a transfer near Silvertip Peak to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Wilderness Land Trust transferred a 354-acre property straddling the Wild Sky and Henry M. Jackson Wilderness Areas to public ownership, adding it to the designated wilderness areas. (The Wilderness Land Trust)
“The Tree Frame Cabin” at the site of the Index Cabins, also known as The Pietsch Pit, in Index, Washington on Friday, March 31, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

The Index Cabins showcase Sky Valley beauty — and millions of years of history

Nick and Nassim Pietsch’s property offers six ways to see your surroundings in a new light.

  • May 27, 2023
  • By Sara Bruestle Special to The Herald
  • LifeIndex
“The Tree Frame Cabin” at the site of the Index Cabins, also known as The Pietsch Pit, in Index, Washington on Friday, March 31, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Molly Hubbard and her five sisters at a family reunion. From left to right, Ann Kozloski, Janice Bisard, Kaija Walters Fry, Sheila Smith, Molly Hubbard and Bess Path. (Photo provided by Sheila Smith)

Family mourns ‘larger than life’ Index newlywed, 78, killed by train

Molly Hubbard fell while crossing the tracks in front of an oncoming train May 9 in Index. She’d been married six months earlier.

Molly Hubbard and her five sisters at a family reunion. From left to right, Ann Kozloski, Janice Bisard, Kaija Walters Fry, Sheila Smith, Molly Hubbard and Bess Path. (Photo provided by Sheila Smith)
Mushrooms found by members of the Snohomish County Mycological Society at Lord Hill Park on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

That’s a morel: Foraging for mushrooms, friendships in Lord Hill Park

The Snohomish County Mycological Society brings fungi lovers together and educates the public about their many uses.

Mushrooms found by members of the Snohomish County Mycological Society at Lord Hill Park on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

Heybrook Ridge Trail packs stunning views and a moss-covered forest in a 3.3 mile round-trip package.

Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).
Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Skykomish man dead after truck crashes on U.S. 2 near Index

The man, 69, was heading east when the Chevrolet Avalanche went off the road and landed on its side.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Work begins to stabilize Bolt Creek burn scar for winter weather

A U.S. Forest Service report released last week identified several high-risk areas for landslides and flooding.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
More than a dozen local leaders gather around to discuss short and long-term needs during a meeting addressing the environmental, safety and economic impacts of the Bolt Creek fire on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan, Washington. In attendance were State and U.S. politicians, the mayors of several Highway 2 towns, and other leadership from Snohomish and King counties (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘We’ve seen this coming’: Sky Valley plans for next Bolt Creek-scale fire

U.S. 2 has long needed improvements, but the “unprecedented” blaze lit a fire under policymakers, so to speak.

More than a dozen local leaders gather around to discuss short and long-term needs during a meeting addressing the environmental, safety and economic impacts of the Bolt Creek fire on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at Bubba’s Roadhouse in Sultan, Washington. In attendance were State and U.S. politicians, the mayors of several Highway 2 towns, and other leadership from Snohomish and King counties (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The sun turns a deep red as it sets beyond the Port of Everett and the Olympic Mountains on a hazardously smoky evening Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Finally, rain in the forecast for Western Washington

As wildfires in the North Cascades continued to grow, a new weather pattern was expected to bring welcome change by Friday.

The sun turns a deep red as it sets beyond the Port of Everett and the Olympic Mountains on a hazardously smoky evening Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Smoke settles in over Everett on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Smoky air to linger in Snohomish County, with no end in sight

The forecast is hazy, literally, with little rain on the horizon to dampen wildfires. In Western Washington. In mid-October.

Smoke settles in over Everett on Monday, Oct. 10, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
(Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)

U.S. 2 reopens east of Index as Bolt Creek wildfire moves north

The highway was blocked off earlier this week as the fire spread.

(Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)
U.S. 2 was closed from the Money Creek tunnel to Skykomish on Monday evening because the Bolt Creek fire spread close to the highway. (Washington State Department of Transportation)

U.S. 2 closed near Skykomish as Bolt Creek fire spreads

The highway was closed from the Money Creek tunnel to Skykomish, mile posts 46 to 50.

U.S. 2 was closed from the Money Creek tunnel to Skykomish on Monday evening because the Bolt Creek fire spread close to the highway. (Washington State Department of Transportation)
Crews work to clear debris from U.S. 2 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2022 after the Bolt Creek fire destabilized the steep terrain. (Lauren Bonney, PIO NW team 8)

US 2 now reopening Saturday, as Bolt Creek wildfire stays contained

The earlier-than-expected reopen date comes two weeks after the wildfire erupted north of Skykomish.

Crews work to clear debris from U.S. 2 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2022 after the Bolt Creek fire destabilized the steep terrain. (Lauren Bonney, PIO NW team 8)
Crews from Washington State Department of Transportation continue to clear debris from U.S. 2 earlier this week. (Inciweb)

U.S. 2 to reopen Monday as Bolt Creek wildfire calms

The move comes two weeks after the fire north of Skykomish prompted the highway to close.

Crews from Washington State Department of Transportation continue to clear debris from U.S. 2 earlier this week. (Inciweb)
A firefighter with Sky Valley Fire sprays water on a hotspot Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, along U.S. 2 as the Bolt Creek fire continues to burn between Index and Skykomish. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)

Bolt Creek wildfire now at 10,000 acres; U.S. 2 stays closed

Smoke flooded the Skykomish and Snoqualmie river valleys Monday, as winds shifted.

A firefighter with Sky Valley Fire sprays water on a hotspot Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, along U.S. 2 as the Bolt Creek fire continues to burn between Index and Skykomish. (Peter Mongillo / Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)
Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridge and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Scientists: Warming climate ‘loads the dice’ for wildfire in west Cascades

Heat plus spark times wind times fuel equaled a 9,440-acre wildfire. Record heat made the Cascades ripe for a fire like Bolt Creek.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes mountain ridge and tree layers just outside of Index on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crews work to clear debris from U.S. 2 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2022 after the Bolt Creek fire destabilized the steep terrain. (Lauren Bonney, PIO NW team 8)

Bolt Creek fire grows as containment efforts expand

Baring and Grotto residents can return home, but all are asked to stay vigilant and be cautious as new hazards emerge.

Crews work to clear debris from U.S. 2 on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2022 after the Bolt Creek fire destabilized the steep terrain. (Lauren Bonney, PIO NW team 8)