Choose Monroe Spring/Summer 2021

Wound

SUMMER 2021

Volume 4 | Issue 1

In This Isssue

Mayor’s Welcome

Visitor Information

What’s New

Farm-to-Table

Camping & RV-ing

Reiter Recreation Area

Outdoor Adventure Events Calendar

Custer, WA 98240

Advertising Sales: Audrey Fraggalosch (888) 658-6878 x103 audrey@visitorsguide.com

Jennifer Coleman (800) 546-8401 x106 jennifer@visitorsguide.com

Design: Katie Darrow

Contributing Writers: Chris Hendrickson, Ellen Hiatt

Contributing Photographers Chris Hendrickson, Jake Campbell

ON THE COVER

Anthology Ranch owner Caroline Scull with her sheep.

WELCOME TO MONROE

At the base of the Cascade Mountains, the City of Monroe is where your adventure starts: river sports, ORV-ing, camping and RV-ing, shopping, farm-to-table produce, and more. I invite you, your friends, and family to venture off the highway and explore all Monroe has to offer. Stay in our community at one our many options including Thunderbird RV & Camping Resort or Glamp at Falling Water Gardens (pg. 14). In the morning, hop in your WATV, and drive to historic downtown for breakfast at one of many restaurants. Once you’re full and satisfied, make your way on Monroe’s WATV friendly roads up to Reiter Recreation Area for a day of bouldering (pg. 22). If you prefer to hike, head to Heybrook Ridge or Lookout (pg. 28), and be sure to stop by the town of Index for refreshments (pg. 32). Before leaving Monroe, shop local goods and produce at our one of many farm stands (pg. 12) or if it’s a Wednesday, our local Farmers Market. For more information about events and activities throughout the year, check out www.ChooseMonroe.com.

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas

Visitor Centers

Choose Adventure - Choose Monroe

The Visitor Information Center, in the heart of Downtown Monroe located at 125 S Lewis Street, is open year-round and is run by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long time local, we are your one stop to learn about everything to do in Monroe!

Visit ChooseMonroe.com to learn more about our local year-round events, dining options, parks and hiking and beloved shopping destinations in town! Monroe is situated along the Cascade Loop, the most beautiful scenic highway in Washington.

Monroe Historical Society & Museum

207 E Main Street, Monroe, WA (360) 217-7223

www.monroehistoricalsociety.org

Situated near the Skykomish river, historic downtown Monroe is filled with fine dining, antique stores and boutiques, historical museum, and performing arts theater! Monroe is treasured by its residents and tourists for its active, and outdoorsy lifestyle. Surrounded by mountains, we are a destination for outdoor adventure seekers year-round with fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, horse-back riding, hiking, kayaking, and off-terrain motorcycles right at your fingertips! We promote NASCAR at Evergreen Speedway, year-round events at Evergreen State Fair Park, and triathlon competitions at Lake Tye Park.

Whether you are coming to attend one of our free concert series like Music in the Park, stroll through the pop-up shops in Downtown, attend our weekly Farmers Market, experience the Evergreen State Fair, visit a food truck event or savor that cup of espresso from one of our local coffee roasters, your adventure doesn’t stop here - it’s where it starts!

Monroe Visitor Center 125 S Lewis Street, Monroe, WA (360) 794-5488

www.choosemonroe.com

Sky Valley Visitor Center

320 Main Street, Sultan, WA (360) 793-0983

www.skyvalleychamber.com

Chamber President Mike Buse

What’s new

Crooked Label Brewing Company

Crooked Label Brewing

This cozy brewery offers outdoor seating and is kid and dog friendly. They offer beer such an IPA, Red, Golden, and their Haff-Witt. Growlers and beer to go. Follow them on Facebook and stay up to date on brand new beer releases.

Located at 773 Village Way, Monroe, WA, they share the building with Sky Valley Marine.

J&L BBQ

We’d like to welcome J&L BBQ to Monroe. Owner Joel Sexton was born and raised in Snohomish County and attributes all he knows about BBQ to his family. “Bringing the best BBQ experience to Monroe and Snohomish County, has been my passion. Slow-cooked, fall-offthe-bone and juicy is our goal to provide a dynamite-eating experience.” Dine in, or take out for your mouthwatering choice of brisket, tender ribs and other slow smoked meats with a great selection of sides. Located at 19191 U.S. 2, Monroe, WA.

Lewis & Main Restaurant & Brewery

(Three Skies Inc.) Owners: Chef Josh Soult, AJ Sorbello, and Brian Fischer have collaborated to bring you Lewis and Main Restaurant and Brewery, a casual-upscale destination featuring American farmhouse cuisine. With integrity of service and a passion for hospitality, Lewis and Main will complement Monroe’s current lineup by offering some of the best local food, craft beer, spirits and Washington wines available. “With a renovation behind us, we simply wanted to create something special where patrons can get away to relax, visit, dine in comfort, and enjoy good times to remember together. Lewis and Main would like to acknowledge the warm reception we have received from the community, local business leaders, and the City of Monroe. We are honored and humbled to be a part of the greater Snohomish County family. With gratitude, we look forward.”

Located on the NW corner of Main and Lewis Streets, Monroe, WA.

Anthology Ranch

An Infusion of Animals & Art

When you think of art, a working farm might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But Anthology Ranch owners Michael and Caroline Scull have elevated farming to an art form, smoothly merging beauty and elegance with the earthly bounty they cultivate with passion, care, and a lot of hard work.

Anthology Ranch is a small

BY CHRIS HENDRICKSON

family farm nestled on 15 idyllic acres just outside the Monroe city limits. Established in 2016 by Michael, Caroline and their three children – Rebecca, Charlotte and Patrick – Anthology is dedicated to sustainably providing fresh, organically grown produce, eggs in several varieties, humanely bred and raised heritage livestock, plus their own line of custom-made

treasures conceptualized and brought to life by Caroline’s skilled savvy at all things crafty.

From the custom labels on their cartons of eggs, to the tiny charms adorning the delicately packaged, handmade goat milk soap, beautifully crafted herbal smudge sticks, carefully harvested fruits and vegetables, the entire ranch is infused with art.

Anthology Ranch is located at 22320 Yeager Road, Monroe, WA. For more information on the ranch, visit: www.anthologyranch.com.

HOW TO ORDER

They are extremely responsive. Customers can text the farm to place an order for eggs and have confidence that the drive-through pickup system is safe. Further, Anthology offers multiple options for convenient, contactless digital payment processing, including Venmo and PayPal.

For those who love the in-person experience, you can find Anthology at the Monroe Farmers Market, which runs May through September at Galaxy Theatres, or you can visit their farm stand located at the ranch on Yeager Road. One of their goals for 2021 is gaining the ability to accept alternative forms of payment, including WIC and SNAP/EBT (food stamps), so that everyone can access fresh produce and eggs, even those with financial barriers.

They additionally offer a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a 12-week program active June through August that assures its subscribers fresh, delicious produce on a weekly basis.

a unique location

An inspiring canvas in and of itself, the bulk of the creekside land at Anthology Ranch is preserved as natural habitat. Anthology Ranch is perfectly suited for its locale, boasting a vibrant stretch of Woods Creek shoreline, lush green pastureland, woodsy forests, and various wildlife including a pair of nesting eagles, owls, hawks, and even the occasional black bear.

Since acquiring the property in 2016, the Sculls have continually worked to improve the farm. In 2018 they erected a 24-foot by 36-foot greenhouse, which has extended

their growing season and enhanced their spring crops.

animals at the farm

But before there was produce there were animals, starting with a small flock of birds. Poultry has been an underlying theme for the Scull family. Their daughter Rebecca is truly gifted when it comes to poultry, and she enjoys every aspect of caring for the feathered fowls.

Of course, one of the best things about having a farm is having all types of animals, which is one of the things that fueled the Scull’s move to Monroe. Once they were settled, it was not long before the herd began to collect and diversify.

Michael and Caroline knew they were interested in Nigerian Dwarf goats, a petite breed of goat known for its rich milk, gentle personality and adorable appearance. Soon, they welcomed Nibbles and Domino, and after that came Vincent and Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa has become the matriarch of the herd and is a charming, sweetnatured goat who greets visitors with a reassuring calmness.

The magical little creature is the proud momma of two new kids, Winston and Stanley, born in midFebruary. Anthology has a plethora of newly born kids, and customers interested in acquiring a Nigerian Dwarf goat can visit the Anthology

website for more information. Nigerian Dwarf goats are wonderful companion animals and take up remarkably little space.

“They’re great milk goats,” Caroline said. “We make soap and cheese and just about anything else you can make out of goat’s milk because it’s such wonderful stuff.”

Anthology is home to humanely raised livestock with an emphasis on heritage breeds, which are traditional, authentic livestock breeds that have withstood the test of time. Heritage livestock breeds are pure breeds that are much more self-sufficient than livestock bred in modern agriculture.

Heritage breeds are a step above, rife with sustainability and steeped in tradition. And beyond that, a visit to Anthology Ranch reveals that whether raised for meat, milk, eggs or companionship, Anthology livestock live their best lives every single day of the year.

Their Southdown sheep – a heritage breed known for its premium meat and quality fiber –are friendly and personable. The Berkshire/Duroc pigs are pastureraised with access to muddy puddles meant for delighted rolling and splashing. They also offer meat chickens and turkeys.

Each year the Sculls seek to enhance their productivity, improve the property, and diversify their crops, sometimes based on a whim and other times based on suggestions from their customers.

in the community

Rebecca, a Special Olympics athlete, grew up showing dogs and poultry in 4-H, and still enjoys participating in 4-H alumni activities at the Evergreen State Fair.

She now shows independently and is eager for the fair to return so she can show her minipig, Allie, and her Berkshire/Duroc pig, Petunia.

Her experience caring for animals, combined with her involvement in Special Olympics and her overall advocacy for the special needs community, will be a tremendous asset to east Snohomish County. Rebecca is especially excited to provide children and adults with special needs an inclusive, safe environment to come and not only enjoy the animals, but also learn about their needs and how to take care of them.

Youth and Anthology Ranch go together hand in hand, and Michael and Caroline have opened their farm as a weekend campground for a local 4-H group. The 4-H weekend not only allows them to come, pitch tents and enjoy the property, they get to interact with the animals and help Rebecca with farm chores.

Though they have been in Monroe a relatively short time, Michael and Caroline love to give back to the region that’s graciously accepted them as a vital part of east Snohomish County’s farming community. They’ve spearheaded two food drives, most recently in November/December of 2020, in which they collected nearly 800 pounds of food and delivered it to Monroe’s Sky Valley Food Bank.

Whether you visit them at the farmers market or the farm stand, you can be sure that many of their items were picked that day. It’s hard work, agree Caroline and Michael, who also operate a graphic design business, but it’s worth it.

“It’s a wonderful lifestyle,” Caroline said. “If we didn’t just love the heck out of it, we wouldn’t be doing it. It’s our customers that keep us going because they’re so lovely.”

What sets Anthology apart is their dedication to quality, their passion for their craft, and their ability to provide true farm- to- table freshness and make it accessible to anyone.

FARM TO TABLE

If there’s one thing that stands out in our hearts and our minds, it’s the resiliency of our farming community. Everything was cancelled in 2020 except our farmers markets. This was thanks to fiercely determined market organizers, farmers, volunteers, and customers, who successfully navigated new restrictions. All to bring fresh, healthy food to our communities.

While the healthy food was treasured by all, perhaps even more important was the sense of normalcy the markets returned to our lives. If you visited a farmers market in 2020 than you know exactly what we’re talking about. The joy in the air was palpable, unforgettable and infinitely inspiring.

We look forward to the 2021 farming season and are excited to share a few of our favorite markets and farm stands.

DOWN TO EARTH FARM

37003 Mann Road, Sultan, WA Farmers markets, local pickup

Launched in 2013 by a husband and wife team, they offer organically grown vegetables, blueberries, and honey from treatment free bees. The area’s microclimate contributes to making their blueberries undeniably sweet. Find them at the Monroe Farmers Market, or join them on the farm for Blueberry U-Pick on Fridays and Saturdays in July and August from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Visit: downtoearthfarm.net.

DUVALL Farmers Market

3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, May through September

Taylor Landing at 16201 Main Street N.E., Duvall, WA

Opening day is Thursday, May 6! Located near the Snoqualmie River in the beautiful Taylor Landing, the Duvall Farmers Market offers fresh

produce, local meat, gorgeous eggs, delicious baked treats and even knife sharpening. The market strives to be as inclusive as possible, and participates in and accepts EBT/ SNAP (also known as food stamps), and the SNAP Market Match program, which matches up to $40 in SNAP funding per market day per participant. The market also accepts WIC and Senior FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) checks. Visit: duvallfarmersmarket.org.

HEARTH AND HAVEN FARM

13225 Woods Lake Road, Monroe, WA

Pick up service available

Located outside of Monroe, Hearth and Haven produces duck eggs, herbs, specialty produce, and microgreens. This small family farm also produces limited quantities of fresh whole duck throughout the year, and rare-breed pork in the fall. Hearth and Haven animals are fed organic, non-GMO, local feed, and raised with respect. This means that ducklings are hatched onsite, raised by their mothers whenever possible, and hand-raised with care when it’s not. Hearth and Haven happily accepts orders via their website, and offers safe, contactless pickup service. The farm stand is typically stocked with the freshest latest goodies, so check the Facebook page to see what’s for sale. Visit: www.facebook.com/ HearthHavenFarm.

Monroe Farmers Market

3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays, May through September

Galaxy Theater parking lot at 1 Galaxy Way, Monroe, WA

Mark your calendars because opening day is Wednesday, May 26! Organized by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe Farmers Market features around 60 vendors offering handmade items, fresh produce, baked treats, local meat, and much more. This is the market’s third year of operation, with many returning vendors including Hayton Farms Berries, Cazeres, Anthology Ranch, Heavenly Soap and others. There are many new farms this year and more options for payment. Visit: www.facebook.com/monroewafarmers.

ORANGE STAR FARM

or at one of their other drop spots. In addition to online market sales, Orange Star offers weekly veggie box subscriptions with local pickup options available. They specialize in pastured duck meat and eggs as well as a wide variety of vegetables. To help make fresh food available to everyone, Orange Star accepts SNAP/EBT payments and offers sliding scale vegetable boxes. Visit: www.orangestarfarm.com.

SNOHOMISH Farmers Market

3:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, May through September

Corner of Cedar Avenue and Pearl Street, Snohomish, WA

this market a happy birthday! Visit: www.snohomishfarmersmarket.org.

tualco valley FARM

Farm stand located at: 17821 S.R. 203, Monroe, WA Farmers markets, farm stand pickup service

21429

Old Owen Road, Monroe, WA Farm store, CSA, local pickup

We love the mission at Orange Star Farm, which is simple and elegant: “At Orange Star Farm we grow food, cultivate variety, build resilience for the future.” They offer an online farm store, with an onsite farm stand where customers can pick up their items during the growing season. Place an order online May through November and pick it up on the designated day at the farm stand

Happy 30th birthday to the Snohomish Farmers Market! After temporarily relocating to Stocker Farms to help cope with space requirements, the market is happy to announce its return to historic downtown Snohomish. Located in front of the newly refurbished Snohomish Carnegie building, the Snohomish Farmers Market features nearly 100 local farmers, artisans and food makers every week, with over 65 percent of its sales coming from farm and food. The market is hyperlocal, with many of its vendors driving just a few miles to come and offer their goods. Stop by and wish

Tualco Valley Farm has been a reassuring and familiar presence at the Monroe Farmers Market throughout its different iterations over the past six years. Tualco offers fresh peppers in a multitude of varieties, onions, tomatoes, carrots, pickling cucumbers, beets and much more, plus all your favorite berries including raspberries, cherries, golden raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. In the fall, customers can pick up pumpkins, squash and gourds. Located in the lovely Tualco Valley between Monroe and Duvall, Tualco Valley Farm is a small, family farm that specializes in organic farming without the use of pesticides. Look for them at other local markets as well. Visit: www.facebook.com/ TualcoValleyFarm.

Glamping to Camping

Gorgeous Glamping to the Glorious Outdoors, find your Moment of Bliss

BY ELLEN HIATT

THUNDERBIRD RV AND CAMPING RESORT

Pull right up to the edge of the Skykomish River, settle into the RV life, and listen to the water make its way westward while you put the hot dogs on the grill and let the kids play. Such is life at Thunderbird RV and Camping Resort.

Laneta Nauman’s family has had a Thousand Trails membership

at the park for years, providing her grandchildren a favorite place to spend the summer. Visitors rent an RV, tent site, cabin or yurt. Throw a line in the Skykomish River in the summer or fall and pullout salmon and steelhead. Thunderbird is a full resort with shuffleboard, a pool, Saturday night movies, and mini-golf.

“The grandkids just love it,”

Gold Bar, WA: D&A Cabin Rentals

Index, WA: Heybrook Lookout Monroe, WA: Falling Water Gardens

Thunderbird RV and Camping Resort

Snohomish, WA: Flowing Lake Campground

Nauman says. “They could swim in the pool all day. There’s two pools by the red barn and a hot tub. We really enjoy Thunderbird.”

While you’re there, try your hand at horseshoes, play some basketball or volleyball, join the Saturday communal barbecue, and relax next to Thunderbird Creek, which runs smack dab through the middle of the park.

D&A Cabin rentals

Like Thunderbird, so many campgrounds and parks in this region are blessed with water and beautiful scenery. On a clear day, Mt. Index hovers over the cabins at D&A Cabin Rentals. On a rainy one, you can hear the water pitter-patter on the Skykomish River. It doesn’t really matter what the weather is, you’re guaranteed serenity.

Andrea Wickizer gets more enjoyment from perusing the guest book comments than she does profit from the cabins.

“I just want people to have fun and see this little bit of beauty. People can do this,” says Wickizer. Her four cabins provide two double beds — you bring the linens. Coming with kids? Bring a tent and there’s room for all.

From your cabin, spend an entire day doing nothing but soaking in the sounds of the forest and river, or use it as a jumping off point for a hike to Lake Serene, or a drive through Jacks Pass. Feeling like a cold beer is in order? You’re in luck. Andrea and her husband Devon also own the Mt. Index Sand-Bar, within walking distance of the cabins.

“We attract a lot of the outdoorsy folk who hike and climb, then come back to the cabin and hang out with us for a good beer,” Wickizer says.

“It’s really laid back and people have a lot of fun here.”

Tent sites, yurts, cabins, and RV’s are all available — complete with mountain views, waterfalls, babbling brooks and winding rivers. The foothills of the Central Cascades and the people in it know how to envelop you in serenity.

Glamp at Falling Water Gardens

Maybe you want luxury but not with too many other people around… enter the glamping experience of Falling Water Gardens. This, my friends, is true glamping — glamour camping for real. The 10-acre display garden and aquatic nursery with Koi showing off for treats, peacocks, alpacas, goats and roosters all about. Camp overnight in safari-

Enjoy everything from a cozy cabin to glamping in a 10-acre garden, incomparable views in a fire lookout to the creature comforts of an RV. There are so many options for an amazing camping experience in the Skykomish Valley and foothills.

Falling Water Gardens

Body Therapeutic Healing Center

117 W Main Street, Monroe WA

Hellerwork Structural Integration Bodywork Injury Treatment/Lymphatic Drainage

Occupational Therapy/Insurance Accepted Also Featuring Massage Therapy Hypnotherapist, Laser Acupuncture Life Coaching/Intuitive Reader Janaki Rose. OTR/L 360-863-2701 or 206-799-6771 Monroe, Index and Seattle

size tents, complete with a bed, seating, antique dressers and nightstands. Coffee, power, a fire pit, and a s’mores kit are all provided. And, of course, a hammock. You’re outdoors, but with all the luxuries. Why would anyone want to leave?

“It’s like staying in a five-star hotel, but in the morning you wake up and hear the sounds of the day stirring around you, and feel like you just slept under the stars,” says owner Rick Perry.

HEYBROOK LOOKOUT TOWER

If that seems too cushy for your tastes, then take a hike. Literally — up 2.6 miles of moderately difficult trail to the Heybrook Lookout Tower. (Learn more on page 28).

The lucky few with a reservation stay the night in the tower — a cozy cabin aloft in the sky. The last of the evening sun across the tower’s bank of windows are seen gleaming from across western Snohomish County like a beacon. You’ll be behind those windows, sleeping bag already set up on the bed, hot cup of tea in hand, taking in views

www.reneeuribe.johnlscott.com

Flowing Lake Campground Snohomish County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

of Mount Baring bursting out of the Skykomish Valley, the three distinct and unmistakable spires of Mount Index and the more rounded summit ridge of Mount Persis standing above the tiers of Bridal Veil Falls. It’s a glorious place to make your bed for the night.

FLOWING LAKE CAMPGROUND

Another bit of glory is found in Flowing Lake Campground near Snohomish. Surrounded by trees and snug between two smaller lakes, it feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. This well-kept county campground provides plenty of amenities, including a play area for the kids, amphitheater, showers, and flushing toilets. Bring your boat and go skiing, drop a line for stocked Rainbow Trout or resident Largemouth Bass, or jump in for a refreshing dip.

Whatever your style, from Thunderbird RV park to a perch in the sky, you’ll find a cabin, park, lookout tower, tent, or yurt calling you to explore the Skykomish River Valley. Come camping with us, and find your moment of bliss.

NEED TO KNOW

Much of the land in the foothills of the Cascades require either a Washington State Parks

Discover Pass or a US Forest Service Recreation Permit. Scope out your destination and line up the required permits before you head out.

Discover Pass: tinyurl.com/tbttm6zn

Forest Service Permit: www.fs.usda.gov/visit/passespermits

D&A Cabin Rentals

CAMPING & RV-ING

D&A CABIN RENTALS Index,

WA

Glorified camping in the cabins of D&A Cabin Rentals are just what the doctor ordered for a relaxing stay along the Skykomish River. These cute cabins have limited amenities (no bathrooms or kitchens); a bed is provided, but you’ll bring the bedding. Visit: www.facebook.com/DA-CabinRentals-1823143561324079.

Eagle RV PARK Eagle

Park Dr, Monroe, WA

This well-kept RV-only park is a hidden gem along Woods Creek, which runs into the Skykomish River. Reserve one of a handful of spots for RVs up to 35-feet in length and no older than 20 years. The park provides electric

and water hookups, tables, a grill, toilets, and a playground. It’s in Monroe for anything you might need, but tucked away amidst evergreens for that moment of relaxation calling you. With a beautiful open grassy area, Woods Creek alongside, and a covered pavilion for gathering.

EVERGREEN FAIR PARK RV CAMPING

14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe, WA

Evergreen Fair Park bustles year-round with activities, from drag races on the speedway to equestrian events and the annual fair. The park includes 96 RV sites that accommodate RVs as long as 42-feet. Water, electricity, showers, and a dump station are nearby. You can’t camp during the fair, otherwise, reservations are accepted for visits between April 1 and Oct. 31.

FALLING WATER GARDENS

17516 WA-203, Monroe, WA

Falling Water Gardens and Aquatic Nursery’s canvas, safari-sized tents provide true 5-Star glamping. One tent sleeps two, the second can sleep up to four, both complete with comforter and pillows. The hosts will build your campfire and provide all the comforts of home. Have your meals delivered, or bring in groceries and fire up the barbecue. Visit: fallingwatergardens.com/ glamping.

FLOWING LAKE CAMPGROUND

17900 48th St SE, Snohomish, WA

Flowing Lake is just five miles northeast of the City of Snohomish and is the middle of the “Three

Flowing Lake Campground

Michaela Fisher Snohomish County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Lakes” chain that includes Storm and Panther lakes. At just over 132 acres, you can motorboat and water ski. Bring a tent or RV, camp overnight, and enjoy full amenities like restrooms, showers, and a fishing dock. Campsites are far apart, offering privacy inside the forest of cedars with clinging moss and ferns. Bring a raft and enjoy swimming and floating. Walk the lush trail, and take in the enchanted forest. Visit: snohomishcountywa. gov/5361/Flowing.

Heybrook lookout Index, WA

A twin bed and spectacular views are waiting for you 67-feet above the top of Heybrook Ridge. Fall asleep under the stars inside the 196 sq. ft. fire lookout, one of only 106 lookouts that remain in the state. The 2.6 mile hike to the perch will be rewarded with incredible 360-degree views. Bring your sleeping bag and pack in your water.

where to get your Camping & RV gear

Pacific mountain sports

120 W Main St, Monroe, WA

Get treated like a local, and gear up at Pacific Mountain Sports. From tuning and fitting to renting and selling, the staff here will make sure you get what you need. Snow gear, summer gear, it’s all here. Pick out an E-Bike; they swear it will change your life and help you go farther and faster than ever. Have you scoped out one of those rooftop tents to go atop your SUV or Jeep? They’ve got ’em. You definitely want to check out this place. Visit: pacificmountainsports.com.

COASTAL FARM & RANCH

19881 U.S. 2, Monroe, WA

The Monroe location of Coastal Farm and Ranch provides everything local farmers and ranchers need, but they also know that “all work and no play is no fun.” So, prepare to gear up and Camp the Cascades. From fashionable to functional, Coastal provides a variety of quality outdoor branded clothing, shoes, and boots. Also, stop in for the best hunting, fishing, and boat gear and accessories. Visit: www.coastalcountry.com.

BIG 5 SPORTING GOODS

18669 U.S. 2, Monroe, WA

Like a lot of folks, you may have come to the Skykomish River Valley for a day and discovered you want to stay a few nights under the stars. We don’t blame you. Stop by Big 5 Sporting Goods — easily found right off U.S. 2 in Monroe — and stock up on a full line-up of camping and outdoor sportsman gear. Everything you could possibly need is available at Big 5. Visit: big5sportinggoods.com.

AN OFF ROADER’S PARADISE

Reiter Recreation Area provides ‘sheer and total excitement

Monroe community members have a love affair with Off Road Vehicles, 4x4s, ATVs, and trials bikes, designed to scale rocky trails and navigate extreme obstacles. Nowhere are such rigs more at home than downtown Monroe, and at Reiter Foothills Recreation Area. Locals deliver espresso via ATV, drive their rigs to the grocery store, and meet up at “Reiter Pit,” where

BY ELLEN HIATT

they test the limits of their ORV and their own bravery.

THE PIT

“The Pit,” as the recreation area is known to locals, is an Off Road paradise, with obstacles and tight turns. Among the massive boulders in the area is the ever-popular and challenging “Candy Corn,” a 30foot high rock formation perfect

To learn more, or to book a tour with Chinook ATV go to: chinookatv.com

Or Call: (206) 948-9713

for 4x4s, which teeter at the top before grabbing a tire hold on the descending side.

“It’s funner than fun,” enthuses Casey Stokes-Miller, event organizer of the annual Reiter Rock Crawl. As word spread of the competition — the only one of its kind in Western Washington — attendance jumped from 200 competitors, volunteers and spectators, to 500 in its first

three years. About 100 of those are event staff and the rock crawlers themselves, but it wouldn’t be the same without the audience, StokesMiller says.

decidedly unlike golf in that it’s riproaring fast and comes with a lot more noise, slinging dirt and rocks, and engines that roar above the fervor of the crowd.

The development of the Reiter Foothills Recreation Area for ORVs was in response to a clear need. The area’s miles of logging roads were already attracting ORV enthusiasts. To tame the wild west scene, responsible riders, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and local agencies collaborated to create the groomed trails. The foothills are managed forests that are privately and publicly owned. The DNR crafted a management plan with the public that created more than 20 miles of

ORV trails and four miles of nonmotorized trails for equestrian and mountain biking use. The gravel base route includes added obstacles that keep the ORV public off sensitive areas. The ORV community helps police the area for compliance with the rules of the road.

Book an atv tour

The trails are a hit in the summer months especially, and they offer up incredible views. Take a ride up the mountain with Anthony Vega’s Chinook ATV Tours. “At almost four thousand feet up the view is just stunning,” Vega says. His guides are all certified Wilderness First Responders, and his guests come

Spectators and competitors alike arrive from British Columbia, Oregon, and all parts of Washington. And why not? It’s free to watch and provides jaw dropping moments of excitement.

The event, organized by the Timber Tamers 4x4 Club, includes four classes of vehicles taking on nine different courses. Stock type of 4x4s are on the moderate end, moving up to modified buggies with sticky tires, a soft rubber tire with ridiculous grip on the course. Each team — a driver and spotter — have 10 minutes to complete each of three courses through the day.

It’s like golf in that the winner accumulates the least amount of points, doled out by hitting cones, using reverse or winches. It’s

“You see these 4x4s crawling over bussized boulders and the crowd oohs and ahhhs.

You hear them gasp with sheer and total excitement, it makes it so fun. Of course, a lot of the event is showing off what me and my rig can do. So the spectators are a pretty big part of it,” she says.

from all over the globe.

“We’re incredibly popular with Ukrainians, and we get guests from Venezuela, Russia and all over,” he said.

Most tours climb to 3,500 feet with a well-trained crew for a soul-stirring view from every side: the North and South Forks of the Skykomish River, the Henry M. Jackson and Wild Sky Wilderness Areas, Mt. Index, Mt. Baring, Gunn Peak, and its neighbor Gunnshy Peak — the highest and second-highest peaks in the Wild Sky Wilderness. Their pencil-sharp tops and jaggy sides will make you stop in your tracks to take in the view. At the best viewpoints, Chinook riders get to stop for selfies and a catered lunch.

“I come up here a lot,” Vega says, “and it’s incredible to take in every time.”

The recreation area is nestled in the foothills of the Central Cascades, between Wild Sky Wilderness to its east, Forks of the Sky State Park to its south, and Wallace Falls State Park near its entrance to the northwest. The Skykomish River can be seen bending its way through the forest floor below. In the summer months, young guests who ride with Chinook ATV Tours are almost guaranteed a freshwater trout when they stop to drop a line in Reiter Pond.

On Chinook’s tours, you’ll learn how to ride an ATV and feel the buzz of the engine and the jostle of the wheels take you over rocks and obstacles, providing a thrill you won’t soon forget. Stop to look over Reiter Pond where the kids catch trout amidst the managed clearcuts and absorb the beauty of the land and also the benefit. The managed

Mural by David Hose

forests of DNR help to fund local schools.

Had enough riding for the day? Head back to Monroe, settle into your Airbnb or hotel, and order up that cup of coffee from Original Pilot House Coffee. Your “Cup of Happy,” as owner Heather Rousey calls it, will be delivered on an ATV. If you’re in town Saturday mornings, just know that her home baked cinnamon rolls sell out by 9 am. What’s better than a day on an ORV, mountain views and a “Cup of Happy” with a home-baked cinnamon roll? Not much.

NEED TO KNOW

A Discover Pass is required for your vehicle parked in the recreation area parking lot. Stay on trails marked for your type of vehicle.

EVERYTHING OFF ROAD

ADVENTURE MOTORSPORTS

320 N Lewis Street, Monroe, WA

You won’t find a staff member at Adventure Motorsports who doesn’t ride off road, except maybe the bookkeeper. With more than a decade in average tenure at the company, the sales and service members can keep you spellbound with all the options available. You’ll find more than 100 used motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, side by sides, snowbmobiles, street bikes, dirt bikes, and PWC watercraft — of all brands. Their pre-owned inventory is five times that size. It’s also the place to go for custom installations, turbo installations and kits, lighting, custom wheels and tires and sound systems. You’ll be tricked out in no time.

premier polaris

122 Charles Street, Monroe, WA

Once you’ve been on an ORV in the foothills, it won’t be long before you’re thinking about owning one of your own. Premier Polaris is a great place to start your search. They sell all things Polaris, from snowmobiles, to ATVs, quads, UTVs and side-by-sides. You’ll find parts, service, and a whole lot of knowledge about your best options. In fact, there are only a handful of Polaris Certified Master Elite Technicians in the entire state, and three of them are at Premier Polaris. Their customers will travel from over 100 miles for the service and no-nonsense assistance. Visit: premierpolaris.com.

cHINOOK ATV TOURS & RENTALS

49313 U.S. 2, Gold Bar, WA

Chinook ATV is a great way to experience Reiter Foothills Recreation Area, whether you’re a complete newbie or a skilled ORV rider. Guided by Wilderness First Responders and leaders, the Indexbased company can get you up into the foothills for spectacular views of Mt. Index, Gunnshy Peak, and waterfalls. Their half-day tour will get you up to 3,500 feet in elevation. They also give ORV lessons. Join them for a custom fishing trip including fly fishing lessons. Hunters can sign up for a guided archery or modern hunting expedition. Expect a catered lunch and all the safety gear, as well as some really friendly folk to show you the best of this beautiful stretch of the Central Cascades. Visit: chinookatv.com.

Adventure Motorsports

MONROE WATV MAP

MONROE WATV ROAD RULES

Off Road vehicles are such a part of the culture of Monroe that they’re legal to drive on city streets. They’re the best ride for a quick trip to the grocery store and they’re the perfect delivery service for your Cup of Joe. The rules of the road for Wheeled All Terrain Vehicles (WATVs) on Monroe city streets are pretty similar to driving any vehicle: It has to be registered for road driving, include all the safety elements of turn signals, mirrors, stop lamps, and a horn, and drivers have to have current driver’s license and liability insurance.

More items to be aware of:

• WATVs are allowed on any city street with a speed limit of 35 or less, except on State Route 522

• Wear a motorcycle helmet unless your rig is equipped with seat belts and roll bars, or an enclosed passenger compartment

• You can’t tow a trailer, equipment or, seriously, a person behind your WATV

• Two WATVs are not allowed to ride side-by-side in a single lane

Source and to view a map of all Snohomish County visit: www.washingtonhometown.com/ohv-wa

HISTORY With A View

BY CHRIS HENDRICKSON

As you seek adventure in east Snohomish County, the Skykomish River Valley greets you with stunning views, forested tree lines, breathtaking waterways, and compelling history.

One of its most charming, unique, and infinitely gorgeous regions is located near the postage stamp-sized town of Index, tucked quietly off U.S. 2 roughly 22 miles

east of Monroe. You can breathe a little easier when you’re in Index, as the air is crisp and replenishing. Index is where the river runs wild, the snow-topped mountains are so close you can practically reach out and touch them, wildlife abounds and the people are authentic. Trains race along the tracks as they did in a bygone era, the scenery is dramatic and beautiful.

Heybrook Lookout

United States Forest Service, 2.6 miles, 850 feet elevation

Heybrook Ridge Trail

Heybrook Ridge County Park, 3.3 miles, 775 feet elevation

There is simply no better place to get away from it all and experience nature, with two opportunities for incredible hikes – Heybrook Lookout and Heybrook Ridge – that will leave you invigorated and inspired.

Whether you’re traveling for the day or planning to spend the night, either Heybrook trail is a wonderful way to get exercise and reap some of the benefits that come from

engaging in outdoor activities. Time and time again, studies have shown that connecting with nature has significant health benefits, including lowered stress levels, improved mental health, and increased energy.

HEYBROOK LOOKOUT United States Forest Service, 2.6 miles, 850 feet elevation

The trail eases you in gently as it departs from the roadside parking area, greeting hikers with lush, green-lined pathways, moss covered branches, and a compelling stretch of boardwalk.

It starts to gain elevation almost right away, promising excellent views as it pitches steeply upward through this richly fragrant secondgrowth forest. This region of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest showcases a diverse population of trees, including alder, big leaf maple, western red cedar, western hemlock and Douglas fir. If the air seems fresher and more oxygeninfused, that’s because it is. Sword ferns drape gracefully from mosscovered boulders and huckleberry bushes rise from the long-ago shorn cedar stumps that they’ve claimed as their homes.

A late summer adventure offers tart fruit to hikers on their way to and from the top.

Sometimes formed out of smooth dirt and wooden rounds, other times trekking precariously through haphazardly cast stone, the trail twists through a serene, beautifully forested setting.

And while the view from the top is nothing short of spectacular, be ready to elevate your experience by braving the historic Heybrook

Lookout. The lookout tower at Heybrook is a longstanding piece of history that’s been a presence on the ridge since 1925. Operated by the United States Forest Service, the tower was an integral part of the forest service’s fire prevention program, meant to house forest rangers tasked with fire detection. Throughout its history, the tower structure has gone through several iterations, as necessitated by deterioration and environmental wear.

The most recent version of the tower was built in 1964 and was a revolutionary structure, shooting 67 feet up and featuring a small cabin at the top. It was a proud

moment for the Skykomish Valley, as it was the first of its kind to be erected by the U.S. Forest Service. The groundbreaking design was completed by former Washington State Governor and United States Senator, Dan Evans.

In the late 1990s, the Everett Mountaineers restored the 196 sq. ft. cabin perched at the top of the tower, replicating it based on its original plans. Today, bold adventurers who don’t mind hauling their overnight gear up the tower’s 84 steps can rent the lookout tower for an uncommon overnight camping experience. Overnight accommodations must be arranged with the U.S. Forest Service. (Learn more on page 21).

Whether you decide to spend the night or not, the stunning, panoramic views of Mount Index, Bridal Veil Falls, Mount Baring, Mount Persis and the Wild Sky Wilderness are amplified by a climb to the top of the lookout, while less adventurous souls are welcome to relax at the

picnic table at the tower’s base.

Trailhead: the Heybrook Lookout trailhead is located on the north side of U.S. 2 at milepost 37.5, approximately two miles east of the Index-Galena Road turnoff leading into downtown Index. The

U.S. Forest Service would like to remind trail users to practice good housekeeping on the trail. This means if you pack it in, pack it out, with strict adherence to leave no trace principles. Please do not create shortcuts by circumventing trail switchbacks and please don’t litter.

HEYBROOK RIDGE TRAIL

Heybrook Ridge County Park, 3.3 miles, 775 feet elevation

Heybrook Ridge. It’s been called one of the Skykomish Valley’s greatest environmental successes, preserved in 2008 when a 95-acre timber harvest threatened its heavily treed ridgeline.

Saved by a small but mighty grassroots advocacy group called Friends of Heybrook Ridge, with support from the Snohomish County Parks Department and others, the thickly forested area near Index boasts some of the most spectacular viewpoints in east Snohomish County. Efforts to preserve this stunning forest resulted in the formation of Heybrook Ridge County Park, an approximately 144-acre refuge located between the north and south forks of the Skykomish River.

The Heybrook Ridge Trail mimics the Heybrook Lookout Trail both in distance and in difficulty level, but subtle differences along the relatively short, challenging wooded pathway make this trail a worthy addition to your hiking repertoire.

A relative new kid on the block, the Heybrook Ridge Trail was constructed in 2016, made possible through the continued partnership between Snohomish County Parks and Friends of Heybrook Ridge. The trail was laid out and built by

Washington Trails Association (WTA) volunteers, expertly carved out of the rocky hillside, embracing and showcasing the beauty of the area.

The trail juts upward in a series of switchbacks that provide just enough challenge to earn the trail its grade of “moderate difficulty,” and to give the hike a bit of spice. The climb up extends approximately 1.7 miles (3.3 miles roundtrip) and gains roughly 775 feet in elevation. Just like with the Lookout trail, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Skykomish River Valley at the top, including Mt. Persis to the west, Mt Index and Bridal Veil Falls to the south, and Mt. Baring to the east.

Your view of Bridal Veil Falls is closer than ever from the Ridge trail, as its westerly location positions you just a smidge closer to the iconic cascading waterfall than at

the Lookout trail. One of its most endearing features is the overgrown old logging road at the top.

Trailhead: the Heybrook Ridge Trail trailhead is located off the Index-Galena Road near Index. From U.S. 2, travel northeast

on the Index-Galena Road. The parking area is located on the south side of Index-Galena just before the bridge leading into Index and is owned and maintained by Snohomish County. Visit the Snohomish County website for more about Heybrook Ridge.

BEFORE/AFTER YOUR HIKE Index

There is no better place to quench your thirst for adventure than the tiny town of Index, a Skykomish Valley gem tucked right in between Monroe and Skykomish off of U.S. 2. Home to fewer than 200 souls, Index is a force to be reckoned with despite its size. The town is framed to the north by the 1,200-foot Index Town Wall, a notorious cliff of sheer granite that beckons climbers from all over the United States. To the south it’s bordered by the awe-inspiring wild and scenic Skykomish River.

From the green forests, to the quaint homes, to the nearby mountain tops, everywhere you turn, you are greeted with beauty. Index is a one-of-a-kind place, filled with resilient people who love the town like it’s their family. And that’s because it is their family.

The next time you find yourself in Index preparing for a journey up to Heybrook Ridge or Heybrook Lookout, here are some great places to visit before and after you hike.

ESPRESSO CHALET COFFEE SHOP & MORE

50010 U.S. 2, Gold Bar, WA

The iconic Espresso Chalet has earned its esteemed position in Sky Valley history as the 1986 filming site of the classic comedy, Harry and the Hendersons. Even more remarkably, this rustic coffee boutique has been around for nearly 30 years and just keeps getting better. The coffee is well worth the time it takes you to pull off the highway, and the scenery makes it a must do. Enjoy delicious coffee with your choice of 13 different types of milk and take a selfie with Harry himself as you sip. Espresso Chalet offers Bigfoot-themed clothing, gifts and souvenirs, plus specialty baked goods including Bigfoot cookies. They also have books penned by local authors, including This Deep Panic by writer Lisa Stowe. No

matter where you’re from, this east Snohomish County-based thriller will have you riveted! Grab your copy at Espresso Chalet today and read a page or two as you enjoy the spectacular views of Mt. Index and Bridal Veil Falls on the deck. Other decadent treats include ice cream, truffles and assorted pastries.

Time your visit around Saturday, July 3, 2021, and you’ll experience the Bigfoot Art Festival! Check the Espresso Chalet Facebook page

for updates on this unique, quirky Index-style arts festival featuring local artists, crafters and artisans.

Bigfoot sightings are guaranteed at Espresso Chalet and look for the custom coffee house in the upcoming horror film, The Stairs! Drive-through or walkup service available. Visit: www.facebook.com/EspressoChalet-687251244640139.

The mt. Index sand-bar

49315 U.S. 2, Gold Bar, WA

The Mt. Index Sand-Bar (formerly the Mt. Index Cafe since 1948), is a 21-and-over beer and wine bar offering local craft brews, wine, and a limited food menu. Perched right on the corner of U.S. 2 and Index-Galena Road, this fun, beachthemed spot boasts spectacular

views and a dog-friendly, outdoor beer garden with firepits. Mt. Index Sand-Bar brings the beach (and pirates), to the Sky Valley, with a fun, shipwrecked vibe that captures those lazy, sandy, sunny moments we all know and love. Visit Saturday evenings to partake in karaoke. Visit: www.facebook.com/The-MtIndex-Sand-Bar-101545134957328.

ThE BARING STORE

63501 NE Stevens Pass Hwy. (U.S. 2), Baring, WA

If you’re traveling on the Stevens Pass Highway, the Baring Store is worth a stop. Home to the historic Baring Post Office, the Baring Store is truly a piece of Sky Valley history and a living legacy. The Bavarianthemed storefront has operated for decades providing weary travelers with a convenient place to pull off the highway for a few moments of relaxation and replenishment. The cozy little grocery store provides basic staples, like produce, milk, eggs and other groceries, plus espresso, coffee, Italian sodas, hotdogs and custom apparel. They also carry everything you’d expect from a convenience store, including beer, wine, soda, ice cream, snacks, and even firewood. The Baring Store features fun,

locally made products, including darkly humorous, custom-made gifts from Sultan’s own Knotty Nest, which makes kitchen towels, coffee mugs and other items adorned with phrases that could make a sailor blush… And then laugh hysterically. Visit: www.facebook.com/ BaringWashington.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

River house café & events center

444 Avenue A, Index, WA

Owned and operated by Bill and Karen Corson, their son and daughter-in-law Blair and Kathy, and other members of the Corson family, Outdoor Adventures offers countless opportunities to experience the river and the surrounding natural environment. Their signature

adventure menu includes familyfriendly river float trips, inflatable kayaking, high-adventure whitewater excursions and much more. This year, they are adding a brand new urban-to-wilderness survival series, with training in personal safety, emergency preparedness, and essential life and survival skills. The Corsons are excited to serve Original Pilot House Coffee and fresh bakery items at the Café, and are happy to announce the return of wedding season. Poised alongside the mighty Skykomish, River House is a beautiful backdrop for any occasion. Whether there for an event or a short visit, guests can enjoy outdoor seating with lots of space for families and groups. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for updates about the new outdoor music venue. Visit: www.outdooradventurecenter.com.

Events

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