- The United States Geological Survey (USGS), founded as the Geological Survey, is an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior whose work spans the disciplines of biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. The agency was founded on March 3, 1879, to study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The agency also makes maps of extraterrestrial planets and moons based on data from U.S. space probes.
- 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.