Another custom hike with some great views

2/28/2025 Heybrook Lookout to Heybrook Ridge

I created another custom route, connecting a couple of shorter hikes. The knee is still sore so I'm avoiding bigger hikes before I go on a much needed vacation.

Along Highway 2 just past the turnoff to the town Index, is the trailhead for Heybrook Lookout. The trail is pretty steep, but it's short, so it's about thirty minutes to the top.

Atop a few dozen stairs, the platform provides a commanding view of the Skykomish Valley. To the west the sun was rising over Mount Baring. To the south was the always impressive Mount Index, made even more spectacular by the morning sun.

 I saw on the map that Heybrook Mountain was a short distance from the lookout. It turned out to be a mostly uneventful view, bit it did lie along the power lines, which motivated me to explore phase two of the hike.

The AllTrails map showed a short connecting trail to a primitive trail that passed along the corridor carved out for power lines. As expected, there was no one else along this section. Although the towers and lines had an industrial feel, it was nice to follow a straight line with open views along the length of corridor.

After about 1.5 miles, I reached the viewpoint looking across to Bridal Veil Falls. This is the end point of the Heybrook Ridge hike, which starts from the north near the town of Index. The route to Lake Serene, which I hiked last weekend, passes at the base of the falls, which look deceptively small from this vantage point.