Travel
Flight
Flying in?
While not so far out of the way, getting to Index still requires a few steps. If you are planning to fly, it is best to fly into either the SeaTac Airport (located south of Seattle) or into the Paine Field Airport (located just south of Everett). In either case, renting a car from the airport will offer the easiest way of getting to Index. Driving from SeaTac airport to Index can take 1.5-2hrs, depending on traffic and whatnot, so plan accordingly.
House Or Rental
Bush House Inn
There are several lodging options available in and around Index. We currently have the Bush House Inn entirely reserved for Friday and Saturday nights of the wedding weekend. This includes 10 private rooms of varying sizes. This is a historic hotel, so it is a great place to stay if you would like to transport yourself back in time (a bit). Some of the rooms have their own private bathroom while some share a bathroom between rooms. The best thing about the Bush House Inn is that it is a 1-mute walk from the venue! This is a great option if you want to book something easy, do not want to book a bigger rental house, and/or want to stay in a historic building in the heart of this quaint town! You can look up the Bush House Inn on their website to see what the accommodations look like. If you want more information or want to jump on one or more of these 10 rooms that are already reserved, please reach out to Annabel or Chris!
House Or Rental
Various Rentals
The next option is to book a rental through AirBnB, VRBO, or an individual rental company. There are no shortage of amazing options for rentals in the area. Many of these boast riverfront views and cozy cabin feels. We encourage people to coordinate with other folks they know to maximize the options. There are a few areas where rental houses are generally located. Click on the "View" box to see a map of the following rental areas. 1. The first of these areas is the town of Index, which has multiple rental houses available that are within easy walking distance to the venue. This is the preferred options if you’d like to not drive a whole lot once you arrive to the area. 2. Next, there is an area south of Highway 2 where many rental houses are available and clustered around the South Fork of the Skykomish River. This area offers beautiful rental houses tucked away in the woods and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. Most of these rental houses are about a 10- to 15-munte drive to the venue. 3. The third general area of rentals is located in the town of Baring, which is directly on Highway 2 and just east of the turnoff for Index. The rentals in Baring are also lovely and quaint and offer easier access back onto Highway 2. Driving from Baring to the venue will also take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 4. The fourth general area of rental is located along Highway 2 but just west of the turnoff for Index, near and within a development called Big Bend. Again, many rentals are available along the river in this area and will require a 10- to 15-minute drive.
House Or Rental
Various Hotels
Additionally, several hotels exist in the towns along highway 2, mostly to the west of the turnoff for Index. These options start in the largest of these towns, Monroe, and decrease with each town closer to Index (Sultan, Startup, Gold Bar, etc.). Similar to the Bush House Inn, these hotels serve as good options for those not interested in figuring out a rental situation. Be warned, though, that traffic along Highway 2 in these towns leading up to Index can be a bit challenging during a nice summer weekend (Friday and Sunday afternoon) when urbanites are flocking to and returning from the mountains. So, the closer to Index you can stay, the better!
Travel Note
Camping
Finally, if you’re feeling adventurous, there are two informal camping spots in town. Reach out to Chris and Annabel and they will send you the camping information
Travel Note
The History of Index
The history of Index is as rocky as the surrounding mountains. Prior to non-indigenous settlement, this area of the Skykomish River Valley was inhabited by the Skykomish People, who are broadly categorized into the Coast-Salish tribes of the Puget Sound Region. In the late 1800s, a gold rush brought the first non-indigenous people to this valley and around 1890, Amos and Persis Gunn and their six children established the first settler homestead in what became known as Index. During the following years, Index would grow along with the other towns established in the Skykomish River Valley due to precious metals mining as well as the construction of the Great Northern Railway, which eventually connected east and west by way of Stevens Pass. Successful mining operations brought Index to its peak population of around 1,000 residents in 1900. The Bush House, a historic hotel that still exists in the town center, was originally built in 1898. Index saw its heydays in the early decades of the 20th century when precious metal mining, timber extraction, and granite quarrying brought prosperity. In 1925, the Stevens Pass Highway (now part of US Highway 2) opened for vehicle traffic and became a thoroughfare for more economic activity. However, these good times came to an end with the Great Depression and World War II, during which non-essential mining was stopped and several timber and mining operations in the area went out of business. The post-war era saw several decades of stagnation for towns along Highway 2. Index also went through a period of change as the dregs of old industry dried up and the resident population steadily declined, but the attention of Seattle-based recreationists increased. Today, Index is known as a popular weekend destination for hikers, paddlers, climbers, and other recreationists alike. The original Bush House was recently refurbished and re-opened by local residents who also own the River House – the venue of our wedding weekend!