Around Tye Haus and Sky Haus
Things to do near Skykomish
The cabins sit in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on US-2, with trailheads, waterfalls and the Great Northern railway's trestles a few minutes away, and Stevens Pass fifteen minutes up the road. This is our own list, with the drive from the cabins for each.
From the cabins
- Town of Skykomish: coffee, deli, fuel
- 4 min
- Foss River train trestle
- 10 min
- Deception Falls
- 9 min
- Stevens Pass ski area
- 15 min
- Lake Serene trailhead
- 20 min
- Nearest full grocery store, in Gold Bar
- 30 min
Hikes
Most of these start in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness begins just south of the cabins. The numbers are from the Washington Trails Association. Read the latest WTA trip reports before you go: the December 2025 floods damaged several forest roads and bridges, and repairs are still coming.
Parking passes. Most national forest trailheads need a Northwest Forest Pass, an America the Beautiful pass, or the $5 day fee paid at the trailhead. Wilderness trails also need a free permit, filled out at the trailhead, from May 15 to October 31. Wallace Falls and Big Eddy are state parks and take a Discover Pass instead.
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Lake Serene
The classic hike from the cabins: a steep climb, with a side trail to Bridal Veil Falls, to a lake under the 3,000-foot cliffs of Mount Index. Very popular. The lot fills early on weekends; don't park on the road.
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Heybrook Lookout
A short, steep climb through mossy forest to a 1965 fire lookout with close views of Mount Index and Mount Persis. One of the first trails in the valley to lose its snow in spring. The lookout can be rented on Recreation.gov.
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Trout Lake (West Fork Foss)
The easy one for families: up Foss River Road from the cabins to a shaded walk, over a bridge across the West Fork Foss, 1.6 miles to Trout Lake. Strong hikers can carry on, steeply, to Copper and the Heart lakes.
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Barclay Lake
A nearly level forest walk along Barclay Creek to a lake under the sheer north face of Baring Mountain. The log bridge at about 1.2 miles washed out; in summer 2026 hikers crossed the dry creek bed, which can be hard after rain.
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Surprise and Glacier Lakes
Old-growth forest along Surprise Creek to two granite-rimmed lakes on the Pacific Crest Trail. The trailhead road crosses the railroad at Scenic, and a passing train can hold you up on the way out.
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Trap Lake
A steep climb past Hope Lake to the Pacific Crest Trail and a granite-ringed lake below Trap Pass, best in fall when the blueberry bushes turn. Tunnel Creek Road is rutted; take it slowly in a low car.
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Tonga Ridge
A gentle ridge walk through huckleberry meadows, ripe from late summer, with a steep optional spur to the 360-degree top of Mount Sawyer. Most of the drive is gravel; watch for the unmarked turn onto spur 310, which map apps miss.
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Necklace Valley
Five gentle miles along the East Fork Foss, then a steep climb to a string of granite-basin lakes, Jade, Emerald and Opal among them: a long day or an overnight. The footlog at about 5 miles was lost in the December 2025 flood, and the crossing is now a ford, shin- to thigh-deep in September 2026.
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Evergreen Mountain Lookout
A short, steep climb through an old burn and alpine meadows to a restored fire lookout at 5,587 feet, with views from Mount Rainier to Glacier Peak. Twelve miles of Beckler Road, then more forest road; the last half-mile is badly rutted, and low cars park at the final hairpin. Best in August and September.
Waterfalls
Two are a few minutes up US-2 from the cabins and barely need a walk; two more are proper hikes to the west. They run hardest in late spring, with the snowmelt.
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Deception Falls
Deception Creek drops about 105 feet in tiers right beside US-2. A short, steep paved path from the picnic area reaches a bridge over the upper falls. Part of the nature loop beyond was closed for bridge repairs in 2026.
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Alpine Falls
The Tye River slides over a broad granite step about 34 feet high, a short walk from a gravel pullout on US-2 just past milepost 55. The path is unmaintained, there are no railings, and the granite is slick when wet.
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Bridal Veil Falls
On the Lake Serene trail, a side trail climbs to the base of this tall, many-tiered falls. A good place to turn around if the lake is too far.
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Wallace Falls
A state park trail along the Wallace River to viewpoints of a 265-foot main drop, and a view down the Skykomish valley from the top. Open year-round; the lot is usually full by 11am on weekends.
Trains and railroad history
Skykomish grew up as a Great Northern railroad town, and the line through the valley is still busy with freight trains and Amtrak's Empire Builder. Watching one cross a trestle is worth the stop.
Stay off the tracks. The tracks and trestles are BNSF property and an active mainline. Walking on them is trespassing as well as dangerous. Watch from public roads and from the state park beach at Big Eddy.
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Foss River train trestle
The mainline crosses high over Foss River Road, the gravel road that leaves US-2 right by the cabins. Watch from the road. In winter the county plows it to just past the trestle.
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Big Eddy
A Washington State Parks river access on US-2 east of Gold Bar, with a sandy beach beside the railroad bridge over the Skykomish: trains crossing with the mountains behind.
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Iron Goat Trail
A restored red caboose and signs on US-2 mark a gentle trail along the original 1893 Great Northern grade, past concrete snowsheds and tunnel portals. Most of the December 2025 storm damage was repaired by summer 2026; a rockslide on the upper grade still needed a scramble in September.
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Wellington ghost town
Where the March 1, 1910 avalanche swept two trains off the line and killed 96 people, the deadliest in US history. Snowsheds, foundations and the old Cascade Tunnel portal remain. The turn off US-2 at milepost 64.4 has poor sight lines: the Forest Service suggests driving on to the summit, turning around and coming back.
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Great Northern & Cascade Railway
Volunteers run ride-on miniature trains through downtown Skykomish, over 5,000 feet of track with a tunnel and a snowshed, with a small depot museum alongside.
Hot springs
There is one hot spring you can visit near the cabins, and it takes planning. Garland Hot Springs, on the North Fork, is private and has been closed to the public since the 2025 flood.
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Scenic Hot Springs
Natural hot spring pools on private land in the forest above US-2, about 10 miles east of Skykomish. Book online first: visitors without a booking are turned away, and directions come with it. The person booking must be 18 or older; no children under 6 and no pets.
Winter
The ski area is fifteen minutes up the road, and the forest roads around the cabins make for quiet snowshoeing. Check WSDOT's Stevens Pass report before you drive: chains and traction tires are sometimes required.
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Stevens Pass
Run by Vail Resorts, on the Epic Pass. For the 2026-27 season you need a parking reservation to park before 10am on most weekends and holidays.
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Stevens Pass Nordic Center
Groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails and a snow-play area in Mill Valley, about 5 miles east of the summit. Open Thursday to Sunday in winter, with its own trail ticket.
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Foss River snowshoeing
In winter Foss River Road is plowed only to just past the railroad trestle, about 2.5 miles from US-2. Park where the plowing ends and the unplowed forest roads up the valley are yours; snowmobiles use some of them.
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Stevens Pass Snowboard Shop
An independent shop on US-2 in Gold Bar, on the way up from Seattle, with rentals, tuning and repair. Reserve rentals by 4pm the day before.
Rafting, riding and climbing
The Skykomish runs whitewater right through the valley, and Index has a granite wall to match.
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Outdoor Adventure Center
Guided whitewater trips on the Skykomish from Index, from a Class III run for ages 11 and up to the Class IV-V Boulder Drop. Trips depend on river levels; book ahead.
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Alpine Adventures
A Gold Bar rafting company running guided trips on the Skykomish and other Washington rivers, wherever the season's flows are best.
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SkyLand Ranch
Guided one-hour horseback rides through forest and along the Skykomish River outside Gold Bar, Wednesday to Sunday.
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Index Town Wall
One of Washington's best-known granite crags, with more than 500 routes, straight above the town of Index. Climbers gave the Lower Town Wall to Washington State Parks in 2026. It is not a hike: the unofficial way up is steep and badly eroded.
Eat and drink
Skykomish has coffee, a deli, a cafe and a tavern within a few minutes of the cabins; Index and the towns down US-2 toward Seattle add more. Hours are short and change with the season in small towns, so check before you go.
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Sky River Coffee
Espresso, tea and pastries on the ground floor of the 1904 Skykomish Hotel, with a fireplace and board games.
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LouSkis Deli on the Sky
Hot and cold sandwiches, breakfast burritos, soup and coffee at the US-2 entrance to town, with EV chargers out front.
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Cascadia Inn & Cafe
Home-style breakfast and lunch in a 1922 railroad hotel on Railroad Avenue. Open a few days a week.
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Whistling Post Tavern
The town's historic tavern, rebuilt after a 2012 fire and known for its fried chicken and jojos. It is a bar, so check before bringing children.
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The Mt. Index Sand-Bar
Beer and wine with a beer garden, fire pits and a view of Mount Index, at the US-2 turnoff to Index. Dog-friendly.
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Bush House Inn & Restaurant
Meals, cocktails and coffee in the restored 1898 Bush House hotel in Index. Book ahead at weekends.
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Zeke's Drive-In
A family-run burger stand on US-2 since 1968, with a long list of milkshakes. An easy stop on the way back from Lake Serene.
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Rico's Pizza
Pizza, calzones and stromboli in Gold Bar, to eat there or take back to the cabin.
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Alpen Drive-In
A classic roadside stand on US-2 for burgers, shakes and fish and chips, with picnic tables and no indoor seating.
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Sultan Bakery
Big breakfasts, sandwiches and maple bars on US-2 in Sultan. It opens early, and the pastries can sell out.
Groceries and services
Skykomish covers the basics. For a full shop, stop in Gold Bar on the drive in.
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Sky Gas & Grocery
The nearest fuel, snacks and basic groceries.
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Gold Bar Family Grocer
The nearest full grocery store, with a meat counter, produce and deli, on US-2 in Gold Bar.
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Skykomish Ranger Station
The Forest Service office just west of the cabins: trail and road conditions, fire restrictions, passes and maps. Staffed midweek only in 2026, so call first: (360) 677-2414.
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Skykomish Post Office
Weekday counter hours in the middle of the day. Staying a while? Ask them how to address mail so it reaches you.
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Sit & Spin Laundromat
Self-service washers and dryers in the old Maloney Store building on Railroad Avenue, open daily.
Questions about the area
What is there to do near Skykomish, Washington?
Hiking, waterfalls and watching trains cross the trestles in summer; skiing at Stevens Pass, 15 minutes east, and snowshoeing on the Foss River forest roads in winter. Closest to Tye Haus and Sky Haus: Deception Falls (9 minutes), the Foss River train trestle (10 minutes), Heybrook Lookout (15 minutes) and Lake Serene (20 minutes).
What are the best hikes near Skykomish?
Lake Serene (7.2 miles round trip, 2,000 feet of gain) is the classic, under the cliffs of Mount Index. Heybrook Lookout (2 miles, 980 feet) is short and steep to a fire lookout. Barclay Lake (4.4 miles, 500 feet) is nearly flat. Trout Lake on the West Fork Foss (3.2 miles, 500 feet) is the easiest with children. Wallace Falls (5.6 miles, 1,300 feet) is in a state park at Gold Bar.
Where can you see the train trestles near Skykomish?
The Foss River trestle crosses Foss River Road, a few minutes from Tye Haus and Sky Haus; watch from the road. Big Eddy, a state park river access on US-2 east of Gold Bar, sits beside the railroad bridge over the Skykomish. Both are on BNSF's active mainline: the tracks and trestles are railroad property, and walking on them is trespassing.
Is there a hot spring near Skykomish?
Scenic Hot Springs, about 10 miles east of Skykomish, is on private land and open by advance online reservation only, with a 2-mile hike in. Garland Hot Springs, on the North Fork Skykomish, is private and has been closed to the public since the 2025 flood.
Do you need a parking pass at trailheads near Skykomish?
Most national forest trailheads need a Northwest Forest Pass, an America the Beautiful pass, or the $5 day fee paid at the trailhead. Alpine Lakes Wilderness trails also need a free permit, filled out at the trailhead, from May 15 to October 31. Wallace Falls and Big Eddy are state parks and need a Discover Pass.
Where is the nearest grocery store to Tye Haus and Sky Haus?
Sky Gas & Grocery in Skykomish, 4 minutes away, has fuel, snacks and basic groceries. The nearest full grocery store is Gold Bar Family Grocer, about 30 minutes west on US-2, which is on the way in from Seattle.
Drive times are from Tye Haus and Sky Haus and approximate. Places checked October 2026; hours and road conditions change, so check before you go.
Stay in the middle of it
Tye Haus and Sky Haus are next door to each other in Timberlane Village, four minutes from Skykomish.