Crescent Trail
Central CascadesBest Year-round
A short, flat forest connector between downtown Index and the Skykomish River.
About This 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.
Forecast
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Walked the Crescent Trail this morning after coming down from Heybrook Ridge.”
Last report: Sep 22, 2025
Scorecard
Very few people use this trail. Even on summer weekends you may have it to yourself.
Getting There
Limited parking at the west trailhead (3 spots plus a few across the street). Index town park or Heybrook lot offer alternatives.
Trailheads are not well-signed. East end is near the Bush House Inn across railroad tracks. West end is at the Index Town Wall climbing lot.
Recent Reports
Walked the Crescent Trail this morning after coming down from Heybrook Ridge. We parked at the Heybrook lot and walked over but you could also park at the Index town park (which has open restrooms) or on the west end of the trail at the lot for the big Index Town Wall climbing area (which has a newer pit toilet though you do have to cross the mainline railroad tracks to get to it.
Walked the Crescent Trail Thursday morning from the eastern end. Finding the trail on either end is a little tricky - on the east it starts just on the other side of the railroad tracks from the nice Bush House Inn except you have to walk past an “emergency only vehicles” sign to find the actual trailhead.
We were in Index for an arts & crafts show at the Bush House Inn. After the show, we needed a leg stretching walk.
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