- Mount Index (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
Mount Index, named after the nearby town of Index, is an impressive granite slab known for its exposed summit ridge and incredible views. The towering 6,000-foot peak rises majestically above Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, inviting experienced mountaineers to make the tough climb to the summit. Lake Serene, located on the slopes below, provides a gorgeous panorama of the granite behemoth without the need for technical climbing skills—the steep but rewarding trail up to the lake is a popular hike in the area. The Index valley is also home to a secluded network of crystal-clear sub-alpine lakes, cascading falls, wild rivers, and stunning granite cliff faces, with plenty of opportunities for swimming, rafting, and fishing in waters that are loaded with salmon and rainbow trout. At the edges of the valley, granite cliffs extend upward hundreds of feet from the valley floor, drawing rock climbers from around the country.