Crescent Trail

The Crescent Trail runs 0.7 miles through flat forest between downtown Index and the North Fork Skykomish River park. The path is wide, mostly graveled or packed dirt, and entirely level except for the slight inclines getting on and off each end. Big second-growth trees shade the route, and you can hear the river through the trees even when you cannot see it.

Finding the trailheads takes a bit of sleuthing. The east end starts near the Bush House Inn, just across the railroad tracks, past an "emergency only vehicles" sign. The west end begins at the Index Town Wall climbing area parking lot, which has a newer pit toilet but requires crossing the mainline railroad tracks. The Index town park in between has open restrooms and makes a good starting point.

This is a leg-stretcher, not a destination. It works well paired with a visit to Index Town Wall or after coming down from Heybrook Ridge. The trail sees very light use and feels quiet even on busy weekends in the Highway 2 corridor.