If you’ve traveled to the Skykomish and Snohomish River Valleys to make lasting memories, you’ve come to the right place. Set in the majestic Cascade Range, the communities of Baring, Gold Bar, Index, Lake Stevens, Monroe, Snohomish, Skykomish, Startup, and Sultan can feel a bit like stepping back in time.
The pace of life here is just a bit slower, leaving plenty of time to linger in a bakery, small boutique, or vintage shop. In the Skykomish and Snohomish River Valleys, you can sip locally roasted and brewed coffee and strike up a conversation with a friendly local.
This visitor’s guide is a collaborative effort between the cities who call the Skykomish and Snohomish River Valleys home. We use this opportunity to highlight the personalities and talents of some very special people who are shaping the culture and creative landscape of our cities and towns. We’ve also shared bucket list excursions and itinerary ideas that make it easy to choose your own adventure, whether it’s a relaxing girlfriends getaway or an action-packed family weekend.
We acknowledge that the Skykomish and Snohomish River Valleys are the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, in particular the Tulalip, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes.
Lake Stevens
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Let Lake Stevens get you in the holiday spirit with their Lights of Lake Stevens and Winterfest events.
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Make a polar plunge a regular occasion with the Lake Stevens Open Water Swimmers.
Snohomish
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Like something out of a Christmas movie, historic downtown Snohomish mixes old traditions with new festivities for the whole family this holiday season.
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Cheers to the sweet things in life! Fall in love with Snohomish wedding venues and vendors at the Sweethearts’ Stroll Engagement Showcase. Then, raise a toast to local and regional wines at the Snohomish Wine Festival.
Monroe 20
Find vintage treasures throughout the year in Monroe’s shops and yearly events.
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Visit the one-of-a-kind Reptile Zoo in Monroe to visit the most extensive collection of reptiles on display in the Pacific Northwest.
Sky Valley
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Saunter through the Skykomish Valley for a refreshing, peaceful, winter getaway.
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Don’t let the treasures of Index pass you by, book a stay at A Cabin on the Sky and explore all Index has to offer.
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Where are the Skykomish & Snohomish River Valleys?
34–44
3-Day Trip Itineraries
Plan your next adventure with our itineraries for Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, and Sky Valley.
45 Lodging
A guide to local lodging options in the Skykomish Snohomish River Valleys.
46 Events Calendar
Browse our events calendar for fall and winter events and activities!
Debbie Copple (Director) and Melody Dazey (Economic Development and Tourism Manager) are the Sky Valley Chamber Team. The team works to run community events and engage our visitors at the Visitor Information Center, strategically located at the beginning of the Cascade Scenic Byway. They both work every day to attract and support guests and residents in the beautiful Sky Valley they call home.
Debbie Copple has been the force behind Sky Valley’s businesses and tourism for years. She serves as President of the Cascade Loop Foundation, and collaborates with the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Board, Sultan Education Foundation, Sultan Arts Foundation, and many, many other groups in the Sky Valley. Melody is new to the chamber world with a classic business background and community service. She is focused on communication in today’s modern world for the events, businesses and areas that they serve.
Katie Darrow (Events & Tourism Coordinator) and Rich Huebner (Management Analyst) are the City of Monroe’s tourism team. With a combined background in Graphic Design, Event Management and Marketing, Katie facilitates events within the City and helps bring visitors to Monroe. Rich manages the City’s lodging tax funds, collaborating with the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to support events and projects that attract visitors to Monroe. Rich is the former Tourism Promotion Coordinator for Snohomish County and Sports Sales Manager for the Snohomish County Sports Commission.
Ellen Hiatt is a freelance writer who revels in telling the human story of our valleys — the people who bring energy, celebration, advancement and creativity. Your experience in the Snohomish and Skykomish valleys is crafted by communities who Ellen knows well, having written about the greater region, from the Salish Sea to the Cascade Mountains, for decades.
Matt Tabor is the President/CEO of the Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining the Chamber of Commerce in 2019, Matt’s experiences included working in the nonprofit sector helping adults with disabilities and addiction issues. He worked closely with clients to manage their benefits and tax prep with his family’s accounting firm in Portland, Oregon. Matt was also the chairman of a National Motorsports event for 9 years.
Matt lives in Lake Stevens with his wife, daughter and two dogs. He loves motorsports – rally and Formula One especially – soccer, particularly the Snohomish County Football Club (Go Steelheads!), and a nice red wine; especially those from Washington State.
Brady Begin is the Economic Development & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Snohomish. Born and raised in Washington, Brady recently returned to the Evergreen State after graduating from the University of Georgia with a master’s degree in public administration. He is a local government enthusiast who developed a passion for economic development while working with small communities across Georgia. Brady engages, supports, and promotes the diverse businesses that make Snohomish the beloved community it is. His background also includes experience in microfinance and historic preservation.
The Sky & Sno Adventure Guide is published by Colibri Northwest for the City of Lake Stevens, the City of Snohomish, the City of Monroe, and the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Publisher
Peter Philips, Colibri Northwest (206) 284-8285 • peter@colibrinw.com
Advertising Sales
Katie Higgins, Colibri Northwest (206) 914-4248 • katie@colibrinw.com
Writer Ellen Hiatt
Photographers
Nichole Gaertner Photography & Jake Campbell Photography
Theappetite for good cheer is evident in Lake Stevens, and it’s community-wide. From the Lights of Lake Stevens to the city’s Winterfest, in its fifth year, there is plenty of joy to go around.
Either before touring the Lights of Lake Stevens or after, when the kids are worn out and looking for some hot cocoa to warm their bellies and spirits, Biscuit & Bean is the place to go. Only on the evening of Winterfest, Dec. 3 (lakestevenswa.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2229), do they stay open late (4:00-7:00 p.m.), as a kick-off event for the Lights of Lake Stevens, and serve up their full menu along with cocoa and other treats.
“People are just so happy it’s the holidays,” said manager Christina Stafford. “It’s definitely a fun night for us here, for sure.”
The Lake Stevens Holiday Maker Fair (formerly known as the Dickens Fair) will also be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cavelero Mid High School). With more than 100 craft vendors selling handmade goods, it’s an opportunity to jump start your holiday shopping, and enjoy it with live music and dance performances. Bring a non-perishable food item or donation for the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank
The Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce hosts the holiday lighting contest, Lights of Lake Stevens, that is the cherry on top of the Lake Stevens holiday season. It begins with Winterfest and runs all the way through the end of the year. An interactive map on their Facebook
page (fb.com/lightsoflakestevens) is your guide to find all the locations.
Families from near and far kick off the holidays here, arriving with pajama-clad kids packed into cars, stopping first at a “Sleigh Stop,” held on the final Saturday of the annual contest (Dec. 17 for 2022). Reshal Ploeger, past president of the Lake Stevens Rotary Club, said it’s great fun to watch the cars pull up, kids excited to receive candy and a toy before driving off to witness all the decorated houses and businesses. Other non-profits that are scheduled to participate in the Sleigh Stops are the Lake Stevens Food Bank and the Lake Stevens Education Foundation.
For the past eight years or so, Chris Burnett has been decorating his Lake Stevens home with holiday lights, piping out music themed and timed to the beat. It’s become a destination for so many, including people who ride their bicycles all the way from Granite Falls, he said.
The icing on the holiday cake is the latest and greatest addition to his display: the snow machine, interactive for every visitor to create snow with a foot pump. Oh, the glory of it all! It’s like being in the middle of your own personal snow globe!
Every year, Burnett says, he debates creating the display. Yet, every year, it gets bigger and bigger.
“Either I don’t do it at all, or I go big,” he said. Besides, people from all around town ask him every year if he’s going to do the display again.
“I’m kinda roped into it now!” he said. “But everybody loves it. They come back every year.”
Like Burnett’s home, Scott and Maria Corley’s split level has been a local holiday staple long before the contest. The Corleys can’t wait to decorate for the holidays. In fact, they decorate for just about every holiday – all with inflatables. Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, 4th of July – you name it – there is something to bring fun to the neighborhood year-round.
Maria runs a daycare, so it’s a natural fit for the fun environment. But they really do it for themselves. They’ve decorated with inflatables at every home they’ve owned, whether in Marysville, Arlington, or the San Juan Islands. Lake Stevens is just lucky enough to have them after their collection has grown.
Christmas is by far the biggest display. With well over 40 inflatables, the couple had to expand into their neighbor’s side yard, with permission of course.
“If he sells, we’ll have to tell the buyers that we need to put our inflatables there,” Scott said.
Maria laughed when she shared that the enormous display was once an embarrassment to their youngest son, whose classmates on the bus puzzled at the unusual sight.
The same son, now grown, helps his parents install them every season.
“It’s all inflatables and lights for everybody driving by and the kids,” Scott said. “It’s the best time of year.”
In Lake Stevens and wondering what to do on New Year’s Day? Jump in the lake! You’ll be in good company as the Lake Stevens Open Water Swimmers are taking a chilly dip for their annual Polar Bear Plunge.
The sandy bottom at Lundeen Park on the lake’s northern point allows swimmers to tip toe out into the water.
“You don’t want to jump into the water,” said Devin Schildt, a member of the swimmers group. “Even seasoned swimming veterans don’t do that. You don’t want to shock the system.”
From fall through spring the group meets up at Lundeen Park at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday, and again Tuesdays at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at the smaller beach at North Cove Park. Everyone is welcome.
For Hazel Borden, it’s always been a group affair. Hazel already had a long-standing tradition of jumping in the lake to kick off the new year. From her lakeside dock, she and friends would start every year by freezing their swimsuit clad bodies in the frigid temperatures of Lake Stevens. In January, the temperatures here drop frequently to 40 degrees, and the water isn’t any warmer.
Hazel and her husband Casey, both triathletes, formed a Facebook group, “Lake Stevens Open Water Swimmers,” to get athletes together during the pandemic-forced isolation.
It turns out, more than a few athletes were stuck without their gyms, and the communities they built around their workouts.
If jumping in frigid water sounds like fun to you (there are reported health benefits, as well), then join the crew.
The New Year Polar Bear Plunge has moved from Hazel’s dock to the public beach at Lundeen Park, where the swimming group meets.
“Most folks are wise enough to not get in 40 degree
water,” said Devin. Hazel and Devin build off each other’s excitement, sharing the joys of open water swimming and the people who join them for the thrill, any time of year.
“That’s where you get the adventurous people who want to try!” Hazel retorted energetically.
The group takes safety very seriously, though, and provides advice, a warming tent, and some good hot cocoa for a reward at the end.
The Polar Bear Plunge is just one of many traditions the group has. Swimming the perimeter of the lake is a challenge that some of them take on with gusto. It’s just over six miles to circumnavigate Lake Stevens by water. So, it’s only fitting that if you take on swimming the lake’s perimeter, somebody should at least ring a cowbell.
Andrea Duerr welcomes the swimmers at the brewery she co-owns, Lake Stevens Brewing located downtown on Grade Road. An athlete, she has joined the fun. But, she has decided, swimming isn’t her jam. She’s not adventurous enough to circumnavigate the lake, she said. And she only joined the crew a few times.
“Swimming is not my thing, per se, all the time!”
“...I took her hand, and we jumped in together... it takes all of us to be that encouraging for all of us to take the next step.”One by one, into the deep Dan Evans
“I’m not a ‘swim the perimeter’ type. But it’s pretty fun. And they always give new people a new swim cap,” she added.
Open Water Swimmers find freedom in the vastness of the lake. The lake itself has an area of more than a thousand acres, the largest natural lake in Snohomish County. It’s also the deepest — as deep as 150 feet in some places. So, swimming its perimeter is no easy feat. The challenge can be daunting to even experienced swimmers.
Devin recalled swimming with a new member of the group, who was an experienced swimmer but had never swam open water before.
“She was totally trembling. She was scared to jump in,” he said. “She was a grown woman, and I am a grown man, but I took her hand, and we jumped in together. She swam a mile. It takes a village. It takes all of us to be that encouraging for all of us to take the next step.”
“Absolutely,” Hazel responded.
Part of that village is people like Andrea. She may not want to swim the perimeter, but she’s happy to jump in the kayak and serve as a “spotter,” paddling alongside a swimmer headed out into the open water or around the lake’s edge.
The swimmers are a fun group, she said, with moms swimming and pulling their little ones in a raft behind them, cowbells ringing, and a clear air of support and encouragement.
The group has about 430 members total, with around 120 of them showing up at any point throughout the year. Most swims see about 20 people in the water. The Polar Bear Plunge on the first day of every year draws a much larger crowd, though.
“We see a spike in participation when we do silly things, like costume swims for Halloween, or the Polar Bear Plunge,” Hazel said. “That’s when we have close to 100 people.”
The events, she said, are part of their “communitybased goal.”
“We are a pretty inclusive group, and I would like to add that we really pride ourselves on being a very familyfriendly group. Kids who are eight or even a few years younger swim… moms who put kids in rafts and pull them behind.”
Of course, there is also a “most improved award,” which usually goes to someone who swam the 2,100 yards from North Cove to the point, returning to North Cove Park’s dock.
“Lake Stevens is an incredibly active outdoor community,” Devin said. “There is always a paddle boarder, walkers, runners, cyclists. There are two different running clubs. Unfortunately, it creates a backlog at the brewery to get a beer. It gets a little busy with us! Us athletes… we get a little parched.”
That may be an excuse, but let them have it. Lake Stevens Brewing (lakestevensbrewingco.com) is a low-key place, serving up good brews to visitors and locals alike. Pull up a chair, enjoy some conversation and cross the street for one of their many food trucks that pull up to feed the hungry crew.
Swimming does, in fact, whet your appetite. But the appetite here in Lake Stevens is for more than food and beer. It’s for fun and connection — the kind you’ll find jumping in a freezing lake, or lacing up your tennis shoes for the run club that meets every Tuesday at the brewery, or the dedicated crew with the Lake Stevens Rowing Club, (lakestevensrowing.org) a local institution for more than 25 years.
After all, when you come to one of the most beautiful lakes in the region, with a vibrant community of people and businesses, there is no end to the ways you can enjoy yourself.
While you’re here, if you want a free swim cap, a fun community, and a chance to jump into Lake Stevens, check out the group at tinyurl.com/2p85ncxv.
It’s almost not fair to the neighboring towns. Snohomish. Bah Humbug! All shiny, and happy for the holidays. All those fun events. All the lights. If you must know, and you must go, then we’ll share the line-up with you. All the joy, and all the fun.
In all seriousness, though, the mighty little historic city of Snohomish knows how to make the holidays a time of gathering and celebration.
“It’s just a very quintessential small-town vibe,” said Maygen Hetherington, Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association (HDSA). “Basically, if you could step into Stars Hollow, you know from the Gilmore Girls show, or a holiday themed Hallmark Movie — that’s the experience you get in downtown Snohomish.”
The organization is responsible for quite a few events this year, some of which are new while others have been adopted from early organizers.
Snohomish City Councilwoman, Karen Guzak, and her husband, Warner Blake, started the Winter Solstice Walk 17 years ago. It’s a magical, relaxed walk along the riverside. Short and sweet, maybe a quarter of a mile, this walk between the
historic buildings of First Street and the Snohomish River is lined with glowing luminaries to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
The Winter Solstice Walk runs from Kla Ha Ya Park to Cady Park on the Riverfront Trail, 4-7 p.m., Dec. 21. It’s fitting that the trail is lined with hundreds of light-filled vessels as it’s the shortest day of the year, a time when either of Earth’s poles are at maximum tilt away from the sun and a point marked by rituals and festivals in many cultures.
“It was Warner’s bright idea; he comes from a background of theater and set design,” said Karen. “The most memorable time was when it was snowing like crazy. It was magical. It was so white!” It had snowed so hard that they couldn’t drive the luminaries from their house to the trail, so a neighbor hauled the couple and their luminaries on a sled.
“It’s a beautiful thing. People, after several years, would bring their music down, violins or guitars, or come sing Christmas carols,” she said. “It’s a peaceful, lovely thing.”
HDSA has more recently taken over the event, ensuring its continuation for the many residents and visitors who have come to appreciate the moment.
“People usually are wearing Christmas lights around their neck or hats, and dogs have lighted collars,” said Maygen, describing the scene. “It’s more of a quiet event.” There will be a coffee truck at Cady Park to warm up with espresso or hot cocoa, as well.
To get into the holiday spirit early, head down to First Street for the Holiday Open House (Nov. 11-12, 11 a.m.8 p.m.). Dozens of shops stay open late for holiday shopping. Shop, sip, eat, and partake in the raffles and other fun activities at participating shops.
Events really get going after Thanksgiving. That’s when the Miracle on First Street: Window Displays for Charity kicks into gear. The downtown window displays are full of dreamy, wish-making, holiday cheer. Vote for your favorite between Nov. 26 and Dec. 23.
Santa Claus pays Snohomish a visit every year, and this year he’ll arrive in time for the tree lighting on Nov. 26 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the recently renovated Snohomish Carnegie building. The historic former library will host Santa and families for pictures. Bring your camera!
Snohomish’s own international children’s entertainer, musician, actor and writer, Tim Noah, will perform. Snohomish High School’s jazz band will play inside the Carnegie as well.
Come back anytime to Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater (thumbnailtheater.org) and enjoy Friday Night Open Mic, or bring the whole family for an afternoon show with Jose Gonzales Trio performing Vince Guaraldi’s composition of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Dec. 18. It’s sophisticated jazz that matches Charles Schulz’s wry tone. The historic theater is a small, intimate setting in a former church.
If you want professional Santa photos, there’s nothing like the rosy cheeks of a friendly Santa in family photos taken by
local photographer Brian Thompson (yoursnohomishsanta. com). A tradition for families over many years, “The pictures are always priceless!” said Missy Elliott.
You will also have the opportunity to take your own photos with Santa in town, as he will visit various businesses on Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 27 through Dec. 18.
The fun does not stop there. Winterfest 2022: Miracle on First Street begins on Dec. 9 and offers a variety of events throughout the weekend. You’re in for a real
treat on Dec. 10, Breakfast with Santa in the Feather Ballroom! The ballroom is yet another of Snohomish’s renovated and glorious historic buildings, complete with an embossed copper ceiling and the original springy floorboards of the dance floor.
The Historic Downtown Snohomish Association has created a new event for the year: Tools of the Trade Ice Sculpting, which will be held Dec. 10 at The American Legion Post 96.
Maygen expects about four tradesmen, including a heating and air conditioning specialist and a general contractor, who will create sculptures out of ice using the tools of their respective trades. The Tools of the Trade Ice Sculpting Contest promises to be entertaining as well as inspiring!
Also on Dec. 10 is the Winter Wine Walk, where you can sip while you shop. It starts at the John L. Scott/SnoWorks building and continues down the city’s 150-year-old
streets, all decorated for the holidays. A different winery is featured in each participating shop. Tickets will be available online.
The Winterfest Historical Walking Tour begins at 11 a.m. on Dec. 11 at Cady Park and is followed by a gingerbread house decorating competition and cookie tasting at Top It Frozen Yogurt.
Whew! It’s hard to hold onto Bah Humbug! when the good folks of Snohomish have just dazzled you with holiday cheer in a dozen different ways.
The events are fun and celebratory for sure. But the real treat is the opportunity to enjoy the historic town’s traditions, shop at the wide variety of boutiques and antique stores, and enjoy the fine food and cocktails from some of Snohomish’s best chefs and mixologists. And you can do all of this while you shop for holiday gifts, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the best little town on the Snohomish River.
Snohomish knows how to celebrate the sweet things in life. From wine to weddings, romance to life’s little moments, they come together as one to bring out the best in town.
Known as the region’s wedding capital, the town is home to historic wedding chapels, charming barns on working farms, rustic and woodsy outdoor venues, a historic ballroom, elaborate gardens, and more. The wedding planners, venues, and broader event service industry came together to form the Snohomish Wedding Guild (mysnohomishwedding.com) to bring this bevy of celebratory resources to the public.
“We continue doing what Snohomish does best — which is tours. We have the wine industry and breweries, and now we have wedding tours,” said Sharon St. Marie, president of the Guild and owner of Belle Chapel. The little chapel is a 137-year-old Methodist church where Sharon helps create lasting memories for the important moments in life.
The chapel is a smaller venue holding fewer than 150 people, whereas larger weddings are often at home in the cavernous barns surrounded by open fields. Sharon finds the chapel is perfect for the weddings of older couples who no longer desire the large affair or have winnowed their friends list down to a meaningful few. And in recent years she’s seen an enormous uptick in weekday elopements, spontaneous weddings for the daring and romantic.
“People are prioritizing what’s important to them. The pandemic showed us that we all lost people that we adored. We realized we don’t necessarily have days to waste,” she said.
St. Marie’s own son was married at Hidden Meadows, a fifth-generation farm converted to an event venue for as many as 350 guests. The barns that once housed hundreds of dairy cows have been creatively converted into an elegant venue.
Natalie Fisher of Marysville married her sweetheart at Hidden Meadows, as well. “The moment I stepped out of my car when visiting venues, I said ‘Oh my God! This is the place. I don’t need to look anymore!’” she said. “I fell in love of the view, the entire venue right away and I even put our deposit down right then and there.” There are a couple chances throughout the year to learn about all of the wedding resources in the valley. The Saturday before Valentine’s Day, at the Feather Ballroom, the Guild will host a Sweethearts’ Stroll Engagement Showcase (11 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 11, 2023).
The stroll, which has been accompanied by chocolate and wine walks in the past, is a great opportunity to explore the Feather Ballroom as well. The ballroom was built in 1906 and retains its grand staircases, the original “sprung” dance floor with springs beneath the floorboards for that “floating on air” feeling, and its original, multi-layer embossed copper ceiling. Grand, indeed!
In June, the Guild also hosts a wedding tour (11 a.m.-5 p.m., June 4, 2023) — an opportunity to visit all the region’s venues. There is no better time to tour 15 different wedding venues and meet over 100 vendors who can supply everything from linens to appetizers to officiants. Romantic inspiration awaits in Snohomish!
As Sharon said, Snohomish knows how to celebrate. Wine lovers have been celebrating in Snohomish
“...I fell in love of the view, the entire venue right away, and I even put our deposit down right there and then.”Breanna Plus Kevin
for some time now. The everpopular Snohomish Wine Festival draws nearly two dozen wineries and cideries, with creators of kombucha along for the ride.
Snohomish Chamber of Commerce Manager Nancy Keith said the festival is in its 13th year in 2023, when it will occur on Saturday, March 4.
“We feature usually somewhere around 20 or 22 wineries,” she said. “It’s just a great opportunity for our guests to try lots of different Washington area wines. We feature a lot of local wines, local to Snohomish and the Snohomish area as well.”
Held inside the Thomas Family Farm’s airy and down-to-earth barn, the festival feels spacious even when it’s at its busiest. And it can get busy! The 2022 festival welcomed 800 visitors.
The chamber introduced “bubbles” to the line-up last year, as well. “That’s anything sparkling,” Keith said.
“There’s good food, too,” she said. “We’re lining them up.”
Keith suggested coming for the VIP experience. VIP tasters get some alone time with the vintners to talk about a grape’s provenance, how a wine was made, or what it best pairs with.
“It’s an elevated experience,” she said.
iving somewhere between a thrift store and an antique store is “vintage shopping.” Whether you find yourself at a garage sale, where someone’s trash is your treasure, or downtown Monroe, where the little shops with rarefied pieces live, waiting to be found, or in the spacious Evergreen State Fair Park where, twice a year, The Great Junk Hunt draws thousands — Monroe has something for you.
Local vintage stores and vendors provide aisles of memories made and yet to be made. Some of them can be found with their own stall at The Great Junk Hunt, as well, putting their own spin on things.
Among the local venues, an event-based market, Pickin’ @ The Barn (pickinatthebarn.com) puts a new spin on the “junk hunt,” combining an artisan market, a vintage and antique fair, food vendors, live entertainment, and music. Up next is the Hallelujah for the Holidays, “like a moment out of a Hallmark movie.” Stay tuned for an early spring event in April 2023. There’s always something to find at the barn.
Considered by a few reviewers (OK, more than a few!), as the best place to go vintage shopping in the region, Black Barrel Vintage Co. (blackbarrelvintageco.com) is tastefully displayed and decidedly uncluttered, yet full of great vintage finds. A mix of vintage and new, even soy candles, clothing, and handcrafted soaps, the store features goods from multiple vendors. On your way out of Black Barrel stop next door at Las Tres Marias for some of their homemade tamales, sample some charcuterie at The Box and Board, or stop in for a beer at Good Brewing. Junking on Main Street in Monroe is all kinds of fun!
Another popular destination on a corner of Monroe’s Main Street, you’ll find one-of-a-kind items at M&M Antiques (fb.com/MMAntiques). Inventory turns over quickly at M&M, so customers, including Seattle interior designers, return again and again to see what the latest find is from the many vendors. The stand-out difference here is a tendency to stock high-quality and unique vintage and antique pieces, versus shabby chic-style reproductions.
A “local treasure” to vintage shoppers, Cobweb Antiques (tinyurl.com/3et47xx9) has a barn off Yeager Road that’s big enough to hold “everything,” and it does! If it doesn’t have exactly what you want, the owners will go on a hunt until they find it. How else would Monroe store owners stock their shelves with so many great finds if they didn’t love junking themselves?! Spindle-back dining chairs hang from the barn rafters and old trunks tell of time past, next to dolls, jewelry, silver, quilts, and linens.
Linda Albers is creator and owner of The Great Junk Hunt (thegreatjunkhunt.com), an event that comes to the Evergreen State Fair Park (evergreenfair.org) twice a year: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023 and Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 and again in November.
“They love it in Monroe,” Albers said. She began her own love affair with vintage when she was a store owner. But it left her little time to do what she really loved – going “junking.” So, she started the Great Junk Hunt first in Puyallup, then, about seven years ago, opened it in Monroe. She now has events all over the nation.
The 60,000 square feet of space at Evergreen State Fair Park is filled corner to corner in early February, and again in the fall, with junk of all kinds. It’s a fullon party with cocktails and live music. It’s a big deal here. Albers tried to conjure a solid number for visitors.
“It’s thousands upon thousands,” she said. “Maybe 10,000 people come to the Monroe event. There’s a lot of people that like junk. It pulls you into your childhood to reminisce. And then you get to find very cool ways to use old stuff in your home.”
Antique sales have fallen dramatically over the past few years, following a trend toward more modern, light-filled rooms – big on minimalism and a lot of throw pillows and short on dark and heavy furniture. But that
doesn’t mean people don’t still enjoy old things. It takes a little more creativity, though, to use what Albers lovingly calls “junk” to create a bright and welcoming home with a more modern vibe.
“I think things come around again,” she said. “Right now, there’s a new trend called granny chic. Upcycling has been around. People want to keep things out of the landfill. They find different ways to re-use it. You will take something that maybe somebody used in their kitchen and now you are using it in your bathroom as a hook on your wall for a robe. It’s been a trend for a while. People want to leave less of a carbon footprint.”
And there is the thrill of the hunt. “We are kind of all inclusive. I wouldn’t put it past any of my vendors, or myself – I have done this myself – I have dug through dumpsters myself because I saw something peeking out of it. So free is even better, I guess!”
Dumpster diving may be the cheapest junk hunt, but in Monroe — from reliable vintage stores to seasonal events — there are plenty of options to satisfy the thrill of the hunt.
Beginning near sea-level, the towns of the Skykomish-Snohomish River Valleys stretch along Highway 2, part of the Cascade Loop Scenic Byway, high into the Cascade Mountains.
Explore cozy restaurants, historic lumber towns, and a burgeoning agritourism community. Kayak, hike, or ride through the forests beneath the towering spires of the North Cascades. Visiting the towns of the Skykomish-Snohomish River Valleys feels like a trip back in time, where small town charm exists.
STILLAGUAMISH/SAUK RIVER VALLEYS
SKYKOMISH/SNOHOMISH RIVER VALLEYS
GOLD BAR 2
By Ellen Hiatt
At the Reptile Zoo in Monroe, you’ll either thrill or chill, but you won’t be disappointed. The zoo is either a kind of intensive immersion therapy for the bug and snake averse, or it’s a safari into the wild for the lover of all things creepy crawly. You decide.
Isaac Peterson has been around the critters for most of his life. His father, Scott Peterson, a biology teacher, founded the business before it moved to its Highway 2 location just east of Monroe (thereptilezoo.org), and eventually Isaac took it over. Most reptiles live between five and 20 years, he said, but some, like the 350-pound, 31-year-old alligator, Barnabus, have been with the zoo since its beginning. Barnabus could prove an outlier, as American alligators can live to be 80.
Another standout exception to the limited age range of creatures whose bellies are close to the ground is turtles. Isaac’s 160-inch-long Aldabra giant tortoises, Alley and Sarah (both, ironically, males) can grow to 600 pounds and live as long as 120 years — or up to 200, even, depending on who you ask. Either way, it’s a very, very long time. Isaac plans to get a female Aldabra tortoise to keep the boys company.
“For me, this is like touching a dinosaur,” said Isaac, obviously delighted with his slow-moving friends. Giant tortoises like Aldabra and Galapagos have been around for over 200 million years, he said.
The reptile zoo is home to two sets of Siamese twins — two-headed turtles named, collectively, Pete and Repete, and Matrix and Glitch. Isaac said he’s had visitors who think their existence is sad, and that they should be put out of their misery. It’s not sad, he said, it’s just an anomaly of nature, and he gives them a safe place to live out their lives safe from predation.
The zoo is home to 95 different species, with 120 critters on display. A Puff Adder, Black Mamba, Egyptian Cobra, a Columbian Boa Constrictor named Vulcan, and Baroness the Baron Green Racer are all among the many snake species housed here.
Tacked to each enclosure is a description of the creature whose home you’re peering into, along with some fascinating facts. Did you know that there are three kinds of snake fangs, including hinged fangs called “solenoglyphous?” Vipers and Rattlesnakes have those. Baroness’s fangs are “opisthoglyphous,” and are grooved. Draco the Black Mamba (he would be the deadliest snake in the world if he retained his venom) has “proteroglyphous” fangs, which are short, hollow, and deliver a deadly, venomous punch.
Another factoid: only 25 percent of snake species in the world are
venomous! And there is only one genus of poisonous snakes on the planet, the Rhabdophis or Keelback snakes.
In the zoo there are lizards, toads, turtles, gators, tarantulas, frogs, geckos, and even a cockroach.
The creatures are ectothermic, or, as Isaac calls them, solar powered. They thrive in warm conditions, as they don’t create heat from their food intake. The forked tongue of the Gila Monster is an olfactory one. “He’ll eat anything that moves,” Isaac said.
Many of the reptiles housed here are rescued from unsafe conditions. The zoo also has an adoption program, with some strict conditions for care but no adoption fee.
The mission of the reptile zoo, since Isaac’s father founded it 26 years ago, has been to educate and inspire a reconnection with the natural world and some of its least loved creatures.
For years, the zookeepers have taken the show on the road. While the pandemic interfered with the popular reptile shows, they are starting to pick up again, said
Isaac. It’s a family affair, with his sister April Jackson participating, as well as his father Scott.
The shows have been a hit for private parties, public events, and in schools.
“He comes to our school every year,” said Natalie Fisher, a special education teacher in Marysville. “And everyone loves him and the reptiles.”
Bill Phillips is also a fan of the zoo. “The staff is great, the animals are obviously loved and well cared for, it’s
educational, and the caretakers have a great sense of humor. Worth a visit…”
“The biggest thing we’re looking for is reconnecting people with nature,” Isaac said, “making it personal, because when it’s personal you start doing something about it. For reptiles, there’s not a big movement to keep them safe, like polar bears, but the more people get excited about it, the more they’ll want to protect them.”
Without reptiles in the world, insect and rodent populations would be out of control, damaging crops and bringing disease. Reptiles are an important part of nature. Snake venom has been used to create healing medicines that treat heart attacks, blood diseases, brain injuries, strokes and other disorders. What’s not to love?
Visit the zoo Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., or Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The Friday night feeding is 5:30-8 p.m. and is open to the public, but the exhibits are closed from 5-5:30 p.m. to prepare.
You can also schedule your own party at the zoo, or book them to bring the reptiles to you. With a 40-minute presentation and a chance to have a snake wrap itself around you, it’s an unforgettable opportunity.
And if it’s a more low-key experience you’re after, just bring your picnic lunch, pet a turtle, and enjoy your sandwich in the courtyard. There is so much to learn here, you’ll want to hang awhile.
“I don’t like either the word [hike] or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains, not ‘hike’!” – John Muir
If nature is your place of communion, then the Upper Skykomish Valley is a cathedral. John Muir knew the value of slowing down, of appreciating the glory around you, when in the mountains. The very word “saunter” has its roots in pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
For the Native American tribes whose spiritual and physical lives were sustained by the land, from the ocean to the mountains, the high mountain land of the Skykomish region was a summer garden for hunting and berry gathering. In the fall, today’s mushroom hunters seek the bounty found on the forest floor and clinging to the decay of a maple or an oak.
In the winter, it’s become a destination for thrill seekers, flying down mountainsides on skis and snowboards, and strapping on snowshoes or spikes to traverse snow-covered trails.
Anthony Vega sees them all. As the owner and lead guide of Skykomish Outfitters, he’s hauling hikers off the Pacific Crest Trail into town for a respite, or gearing up to rev the engines on ATVs into Reiter Foothills for spectacular views across snow covered peaks.
Vega can introduce a newcomer to cross country skiing, or show them snowshoeing on a flat, half-acre practice track, bring them up into the mountains for a half day tour, or rent them snowshoes and give
them directions to the best trail. For his own personal enjoyment, Vega doesn’t set his sights on elevation, he prefers to snowshoe alongside the river and “check out the fish” in the Foss, Tye and Beckler tributaires to the Skykomish.
“It’s wonderful. It’s in the woods… it’s peaceful… it’s all white… the river is running through it. The rocks in the river are capped with snow… the beauty and serenity of it, the quiet…” Vega’s words fade as though he’s on that snow-covered trail already, hearing the gurgle of the East Fork Foss River, watching the branches of the fir trees, weighted with snow, dipping their needles into the water. After the fall rains begin and before the snows come, colleagues Jim Knight and Milan Stefanac, a retired paramedic and anesthesiologist respectively, are pairing up to hunt mushrooms. Mushroom hunters would rather die, it seems, than tell you their best hunting grounds. But they will give you some tips.
“At the end of summer, after a good rain, and then another light rain, the chanterelles bloom. They will continue to bloom for a month,” Knight said. “I always like to get out
early and go looking and if there’s none and it’s just a nice day in the woods, that’s OK.”
Some good places around here: Heybrook Ridge, all around the forests of Index, Lake Margaret behind Duvall, the Sultan Basin – all are excellent locations to find chanterelles, shared Knight. Morels and oyster mushrooms come out in the spring, as well.
The Bolt Creek fire, though, covering more than 13,000 acres near Index, stymied this season’s mushroom hunting efforts. But look out for next season.
“Avid mushroom hunters will tell you that fire is essential for finding morels. These fungi, distinguishable for their dark, honeycomb-like caps, pop out of the ground by the bushel in spring after a large wildfire,” wrote Michelle Ma in a University of Washington blog post (tinyurl.com/ mr3sz2hd). Indeed, researchers in Yosemite revealed it’s true.
“I have actually been able to grow them on my property where I have a fire ring,” said Sultan pharmacist and local mycologist Greg Hovander. “I planted some morels there one spring. The following year I had morels grow up on
my own property in the Skykomish Valley here in Sultan.” For the best findings, you have to get them right away after the burn. In the years that follow, he said, “they might not be so plentiful.”
Morels, he said, like different habitats, including old orchards, “civilized places like my home,” and other places where the soil has been disturbed. “Some morels like the willows and the trees that grow along streams and the mountains and in rural areas. Others prefer conifers,” he said. “The conifer lovers, I found, usually like pine the best.” This spring, look to the stream banks where the Bolt Creek fire passed through.
Hovander will also help you with free identification of your wild mushrooms if you stop by his pharmacy, Sultan Pharmacy and Natural Care — the only pharmacy around with a mushroom expert on staff! “It’s only right to help people medicinally as well as nutritionally and to do it safely,” he said. He even offers guided mushroom hunting walks, followed by identification and a gourmet meal with the mushrooms they find. Space is limited to 16 people. Call the pharmacy at (360) 793-8813 to sign up.
Snowshoeing and mushroom hunting have something in common: you might get your heart pumping climbing elevation, but you’re not in a hurry. You’re there to take in the sharp and earthy smells of the forest, hear the crunch of pine needles or crusted snow beneath you, and look with your soul as much as your eyes.
“It’s so good for us,” Stefanac, who’s also a botanist, shared. “It’s rejuvenating, and forces you to slow down and get close to nature which you don’t really do much of these days. It gets you in a different plane of mind and spirit. I think it’s really good for us. Plus, you get the benefits of a meal that’s healthy for us.”
So next fall, hike into the mountains where there are remaining stands of old growth forest, gazing under ferns and moss on the sunny side of the slope. The chanterelles hide under the canopy of the ferns, near hardwood trees like beech and oak, or under conifers or hemlock.
Stefanac and Knight look for lobster mushrooms, their red caps standing out from the forest floor, coral mushrooms
that resemble a cauliflower, and in the spring, morels. They don’t hunt for ones they’re not familiar with and know without a doubt are safe to eat.
Stefanac shares what he said was the best mushroom hunting advice he ever received: find a local mycology group. They’ll take you out on hikes and teach you how to find mushrooms safely.
As for snowshoeing, this is the season, and your opportunity to get in on the fun is ridiculously affordable. The U.S. Forest Service will provide the snowshoes along with the lesson. Learn all about winter ecology while venturing out into the Mt. BakerSnoqualmie National Forest. A small donation is requested. Make your reservations by calling (360) 677-2414. Weekends from January through March, take a 2.5-hour tour and learn about Stevens Pass history, the ecosystem, and wildlife.
Vega’s Skykomish Outfitters will also take you on a guided hike, pointing out the flora and fauna, and identifying mushrooms with you.
There are so many ways to appreciate the many gifts of the Skykomish that you’ll want to return every season. Come back in December with the family and find a special Christmas tree. The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Skykomish Ranger District can issue you a tree permit (tinyurl.com/4zbrvh73). If you stop in at the station (74920 Stevens Pass Hwy) or the Sky Valley Chamber & Visitor Center (320 Main St., Sultan), you can pick up your permit and get some good advice on what rules to follow for both cutting a tree and harvesting mushrooms, or anything else for that matter.
After all this sauntering the Skykomish, you won’t want to leave. Why would you?
Pull into Skykomish, find the LouSkis Deli off the highway, or turn the corner into town. There, at the Cascadia Inn , breakfast and lunch are served Friday through Tuesday. Get yourself a room in the historic 14-room hotel, pull a chair up to the dining room table, and watch the trains rumble by. It’s a good day to be alive in Skykomish.
The colonial heyday of felling trees and crossing the nation with the iron horse has given way in the lower Skykomish region to hiking, rafting, and relaxing.
You can hit Highway 2 and blow past the small towns, tucked off the highway. But why would you do that? We suggest you plan to stay awhile, rent a cabin, and get outside. Fall and winter are a great time to explore the Central Cascades.
Start at A Cabin on the Sky (acabinonthesky.com), a small cabin on the North Fork of the Skykomish River, at home in Index. The cabin sleeps two, and is a great jumping off point to explore the Forks of the Sky State Park, Heybrook Ridge, and the Wild Sky Wilderness.
“We had the BEST time staying here! It was the most relaxing weekend getaway we were hoping for!” Online reviewer Leona S. gushed about the location with multiple exclamation points. “The sound of the Skykomish river lulled us to sleep each night, and was there to wake us each morning.”
Proprietor David Meyer says Index is idyllic, indeed. A mile off the highway, it’s confined between the Skykomish River’s north fork and the Index Wall. Scenic views and the sounds of the river are enough to warrant making Index a national monument, if not a national park, he said. Thankfully, the Bolt Creek fire that threatened the town was confined before it reached town.
The cabin is the perfect starting point for more adrenaline-pumping adventures. Most of the trails north of Index have been temporarily shut down due to the Bolt Creek fire, which consumed 13,000-plus acres. But there is still plenty to do nearby.
Out of Index, you can climb the famed Index Wall, a state-owned, 500-foot high granite wall where peregrine falcons nest. Or catch a river rafting ride out of Outdoor Adventure Center. The rafting company is housed in the River House, the restored historic building that cozies up next to the little bridge that takes you into town. Hikers and climbers all gather here for a beer before their next adventure. It’s picturesque to a fault.
A not-to-be-missed adventure on your bucket list is Wallace Falls State Park. Head east towards Gold Bar and catch the trail for a 4.9-mile hike on Woody Trail. It’s a three-mile round trip from the trailhead to the Middle Falls. The trail is on the easy side of moderate, with the lower falls a first destination for an even easier hike.
Wallace Falls is such a spectacular hike, as accessible to new hikers as it is popular with veteran outdoor enthusiasts, that it can be, well, a little crowded on the weekends. Keep in mind and prepare for company, or take a well-deserved vacation day and enjoy a
little more elbow room on a weekday. It’s worth it, either way.
Wallace Falls Trail is everything you could hope for in a Pacific Northwest hike: thick, evergreen forests and magical trails, picturesque views, and a rushing waterfall.
Whether you stop at the lower, middle, or upper falls, views of the evergreen forest and waterways of the Central Cascades surround you in all their glory.
Come prepared for winter conditions with spikes for your hiking shoes, and all the appropriate gear. The National Park Service is a helpful guide (nps.gov/articles/000/ winterhikingtips.htm).
After all this adventuring, it’s likely you’ve decided to settle in for the night at the Bush House Inn, or A Cabin in the Sky. If so, kick back. Pizza is delivered. Rico’s Pizza in Gold Bar will deliver if you call early enough. Meet up at the Mt. Index SandBar for a cold beer or a glass of wine in a little bit of the tropics right here in the Sky Valley. It’s a great place to meet up with friends for an evening of fun!
If you need some inspiration while planning your visit, our itineraries are a great place to start!
Spend a few days exploring the Past, the Present, and the Future plans of Lake Stevens. The history of Lake Stevens can be explored while in town for a few days, and you’ll be able to sample some of where the city is moving towards as well. Full of scenic parks, friendly people, and our beautiful lake, you’ll enjoy your time here with these few suggestions.
Try to get into town early in the afternoon and check into either the Mansion Inn, a beautiful bed & breakfast that overlooks North Cove, or one of the many Airbnb properties lakeside. Drop luggage off in your room and head down to Lundeen Park for a quick walk out to the end of the pier. From there you will get a stunning panoramic view of the 1,000-acre lake. Next, stop by the Lake Stevens Visitor Information Center to find out about the latest events going on in town, pick up a few pamphlets about area attractions, or get restaurant recommendations from our staff. They’ll probably recommend one of many local favorites, including The Pines, their sister restaurant LJ’s Bistro, or downtown favorite, Francisco’s (featured in the Spring edition of the Sky & Sno Adventure Guide). Armed with a map from the Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce, you can hit up one of those suggestions for some dinner before you head back to your lodging for a good night’s sleep.
Wake up on Saturday morning and head out to new Lake Stevens favorite The Sweet Life Bakery for some pastries and a strong cup of coffee to get your day started just right. This recently opened shop is located at 7315 10th St. SE, and is easily accessed from northbound Highway 204 after an easy drive around the east side of the lake to 20th St. SE. From there it’s a peaceful drive up to find the Lake Stevens Monster not far away. The city of Lake Stevens is home to the largest glacial erratic in the state of Washington, and some suggest in the whole of the United States, locally known as the Lake Stevens Monster. There is a short path around the giant green rock, which measures 34 feet tall, 78 feet in length, and is 210 feet in diameter. Made of serpentinized green-stone that is formed when basalt lava is subjected to low grade metamorphism (heat, pressure, etc.), it was likely carried there by eruptions from the floor of the Pacific Ocean and carried inland.
It’s lunch time is next and there are quite a few fun places to choose from. Pacific Northwest favorites such as The Ram and Taco Time can be found in the Frontier Village area and make for a filling midday meal. If your weekend
in town happens to coincide with the Lake Stevens Makers Fair (the first Saturday of Dec.), this is something not to be missed! Hosted by the Lake Stevens School District and taking place at Cavelero Mid-High, hundreds of craftsmen and artisans bring their wares to this once-a-year market that promises something for everyone on your list! This WILL take your afternoon to get through, but if you are in town on another weekend, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in and around the Frontier Village. And if you’ve brought the family dog along, you can take them to the Cavalero Hill Dog Park off South 20th St. after stopping at Trestle Station for a hot cup of coffee from the Union Coffee Bar drive thru.
In the evening, you should find your way downtown. Bundle up and walk through the festival street to imagine what the future holds for this area: a new, multilevel museum is planned for space next to the Grimm House, an original home built during the era when the Rucker Mill stood in this space and preserved by the City of Lake Stevens for posterity. The new museum, when complete, will have recreations of the old high school (dubbed the Pink Palace for the color of its walls), photos and artifacts from the Rucker Mill, and a recreation of the soda fountain that was in the historic Mitchell’s Drug Store. If you are indeed in town on that first Saturday of December, in addition to the Makers Fair, the Lake Stevens WinterFest and tree lighting will be taking place in North Cove Park and on that same festival street. Vendors, music, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, and of course Santa Claus will all be on hand! Grab a quick bite to eat at the diner-style Buzz Inn before calling it a night!
Wake up and head back downtown for donuts from Lake Stevens Donuts and some of the best coffee in the region at Biscuit & Bean, which recently opened a location in Los Angeles. If you need some exercise, perhaps a quick walk up the Centennial Trail after bundling up would do the trick before packing up and heading back home. Or maybe just sleep in, as visions of those Lake Stevens Donuts dance through your head!
The Inn at Snohomish is a boutique hotel with close access to all the fun and activities that Snohomish has to offer! When you arrive, be sure to check out historicdowntownsnohomish.org/events for events happening in the Snohomish Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
FRIDAY
Begin your Snohomish adventure at Vista Clara Coffee. Pick up a pound or two of locally roasted beans to enjoy during your stay or as a delicious reminder of Snohomish once you’ve returned home. Then grab a slice at Brava’s Pizza and Pasta before heading over to Hammered Dwarf Cider for small batch cider or Haywire Brewing Co. for award-winning beer.
SATURDAY
Start your day with coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Java Haus Café then head across the parking lot to McDaniel’s Do-It Center for any gear you might need, or just to browse their beautiful plants, garden art, and gifts. From there, you’re just a few steps away from the Centennial Trail where you can take an easy walk north toward Machias or south into downtown Snohomish. Be sure to check out the short and beautiful river trail.
Interested in a little more hiking? Lord Hill Regional Park is a short drive toward Monroe and offers over six miles of beautiful trails of varying intensity across its 1,463 acres. Enjoy the last colors of fall before winter arrives. On a clear day, head up to the higher points of the park for views of the snow-capped Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges.
Head back to town for lunch and enjoy one of downtown’s many eateries. Spada Farmhouse Brewery offers a variety of classic and new American food — the roasted brussels sprouts will not disappoint! Spada also features a nice selection of beers brewed in-house. Just down the street, Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse is known for its always spot-on pub food. The Asian nachos and lobster bisque are perennial favorites.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon holiday shopping in Snohomish’s many boutiques. Canine Matters has a fun selection of toys, treats, and gifts for your favorite pups. Be sure to stop at Joyworks, a Snohomish staple for more than 30 years where you’ll find a large selection of women’s clothing, home décor, and gifts to fit every style and taste. You also won’t want to miss Arts of Snohomish, filled with paintings, photographs, jewelry, and more from some of our area’s
most talented artisans. Newer to First St. is The Petal and the Stem, featuring fresh flowers and plants as well as a wonderful variety of décor, jewelry, and gift items.
A glass of wine at Blanc & Rouge or Randolph Cellars may be the perfect way to round out your afternoon. Prefer to end your day with something more lively? Head over to Collector’s Choice Restaurant for dinner and catch live music in their sports bar next door.
Start with a hearty homestyle breakfast at Cabbage Patch Restaurant (no judgment if you opt for a slice of house-made pie for breakfast instead) and then explore Snohomish’s outer reaches. Board and Brush Creative Studio and Burkhead Art Center offer fun activities for those looking for hands-on experiences (perfect for a rainy day!). Warm up with a swim at the Snohomish Aquatic Center or try out a class at Spark Hot Yoga. As your weekend in Snohomish comes to an end, stop by Josh’s Taps and Caps bottle shop for a thirst-quenching souvenir, enjoy the delicious fare of Best of Both Worlds Catering at Sound to Summit Brewing, and then swing by Bliss Small Batch Creamery for one last sweet treat for the road.
As you arrive to Monroe, be sure to grab your first Instagram-worthy shot at our Monroe sign either coming north on State Route 203 or at the State Route 522/Main Street Roundabout. Then head to your beautiful bed & breakfast, Ponderosa of Sky Valley, to check in. This privately owned bed & breakfast sits on 10 acres of Sky Valley serenity. Their tag line, “easy to get to, but hard to leave,” truly encompasses the venue. The B&B also hosts experiences taught by talented professionals and artisans; contact them ahead of time to see what they are offering during your stay. After you have unpacked and settled in, if you don’t find it too hard to leave, head to the Monroe Visitor Center to see what events and activities are happening during your visit that might spike your interest.
The weekend is a great time to embark on the Monroe Brewery Tour. While you are at the Visitor Center, be sure to grab a Brewery Tour Card and start off at Good Brewing, walking distance from the Visitor Center. Along with premium craft beer, Good Brewing offers seltzer and wine for the non-beer lovers out there. Once you’ve sampled a flight and worked up an appetite, walk east on Main Street to find a dinner spot. Before you cross Lewis Street, be sure to check out the Wagner Swift Sculpture created by Kevin Edwin Pettelle. The sculpture celebrates the gentle and sweet-natured Vaux’s Swifts, birds which make Monroe’s Wagner Center chimney their home during their twice-yearly migrations. Then as you cross Lewis Street, take in the city’s newest sculpture, Guardian of the Mountain Pass, designed and built by Milo White and Jay Bowen. This piece encompasses everything Monroe is about: gateway to the Cascade Mountains, idyllic rural landscape, powerful rivers, and lush green forests. Now time to decide on dinner. Feeling like BBQ? Check out The Amarillo Restaurant and Tavern, or maybe you’re feeling Thai on Main for a bit of spice? Or, check out a staple: Jeno’s. Jeno’s was established in 1970 and serves delicious Italian, but come prepared as it is cash only. Truly a unique experience.
After dinner, an evening cocktail is never a bad idea, and the Burnt Barrell Whiskey Bar has you covered. Unique craft cocktails, a curated collection of whiskey, bourbon and scotch, jazzy music, relaxed lounge vibes, and no televisions create a perfect atmosphere for a quiet evening of people watching on Main Street.
If you are in Monroe on Dec. 3, you must not miss the Pickin’ @ The Barn Holiday Market. An event-driven market of hand-crafted items, from decor to treats to eat and drink. All the vendors are local, small businesses handpicked to suit the season. It’s a one-of-a-kind shopping experience and, as it’s often called, a community gathering place. “December has often been described by shoppers as a Hallmark Movie event! We just love Christmas and all the magic of the season,” market owner Jenn Edelbrock said.
If you miss the Pickin’ @ the Barn Holiday Market, don’t worry! Historic Downtown Monroe offers a variety of storefronts to satisfy your inner shopper. Check out Milkwood for creative, locally made décor and handmade furniture. Be careful though, you might find yourself squeezing a live edge, wood table into your car. Modern Home Furnishings is Main Street’s newest addition and offers a boutique shopping experience. Want more adventure? Stop by Pacific Mountain Sports and get inspired for your next trip to Monroe.
Once you are shopped out, it’s time to relax and continue your Brewery Tour. Next on the list is Bugu Brewery. This family-owned nano-brewery recently celebrated its 1-year anniversary in October, but don’t let the “nano” fool you. Bugu has a large variety of beers on tap, If you want a sneak preview, check out their website for a complete list and descriptions. Next up is Dreadnought Brewing. Tucked away in the city’s industrial area, this brewery has it all: beer, cider, hard seltzer, and a rotating schedule of food trucks for on-site food options. If you hit this brewery on Friday, enjoy live music and an open mic from 7-10 p.m.
If you prefer a sit-down dinner, might we suggest 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 offers some of the best local food, craft beer, spirits and Washington wines available.
Sunday is the day to sleep in. Wake and enjoy the beautiful tranquility at the B&B while enjoying a hot breakfast on-site. Continue your relaxing day with a driving tour of the many David Hose murals Monroe has to offer.
One of our region’s most prolific muralists, Hose has quite literally painted the Sky Valley. In doing so, he has transformed many old walls into beautiful, detailed, one-of-a-kind works of art that tell a story. Each story is told so vividly you feel as though you can step into the walls and become part of the world he has created.
After your driving tour, hit the last brewery on the list, Crooked Label, which is located at the entrance of Sky River Parkway. Crooked Label offers a friendly and inviting atmosphere and has a moto of “Always Be Kind. Always.” They host
For a complete listing of all the David Hose murals in the Sky Valley and to learn more about the artist himself:
regular open mic events, and if you follow their Facebook page you are sure to have an occasional laugh.
If you leave town Monday, stop by the visitor center with your completed brewery tour card to receive a commemorative brewery tour cup.
FRIDAY
As you make your way along the Nationally recognized US2 Scenic Highway take in the views of rivers, mountains, beautiful vistas that frame the natural beauty of the Sky Valley. The highway winds through farms, past iconic landmarks towards seasonal sights and activities for all your fall and winter adventures.
As you reach Sultan take a moment to stretch your legs by walking Suzie’s Trail along the Sultan River leading you to Osprey Park. Enjoy peekaboo views of the salmon spawning in the fall, and the gorgeous river flow into the cooler winter. Designed to be a fish nursery, Osprey Park is a beautiful city park that feels like you are deep in the woods and one with the natural area. The park includes a covered basketball court, a dog park, and a great playground for the little ones for a great time for all.
After you have worked up your appetite stop in at Sultan Thai, a new local favorite that features signature dishes for everyone in the family. Try the fresh spring rolls, kra pao kai dao or basil fried rice for a great dine-in experience or take-out to enjoy in the privacy of your vacation rental throughout the many tranquil locations in the Sky Valley. It is easy to find the perfect location at Treeline Vacation Rentals, which hosts many unique and picturesque Sky Valley properties for a memorable stay amongst the rivers, woods or mountain foothills.
*Quick tip: Be sure to stop by the Visitor Information Center in Sultan (320 Main St., Sultan, WA, open Monday – Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.) to get your National Forest passes, Discover passes, fishing licenses, Christmas tree permits and more.
As you wake the next day, enjoy a lazy morning in the Sky Valley take in the natural beauty of the fog over the river, spectacular sunrise or watch the wildlife in the green spaces. Once refreshed and ready to continue kick-start the rest of your adventure at the Woodshed Espresso in Gold Bar. Grab a great coffee and be sure to try the addictive Thai cookies. Along the way explore the tiny town of Startup and peruse the unique finds by local crafters and producers at Startup Roots Artisan Market. Load up on local honey, a unique tea blend, a handcrafted hat and more to take along on your great adventure further up into the mountains. Startup Roots keeps seasonal hours, so be sure to check their Facebook page (tinyurl.com/3p4hpcu9) for current operating times.
Follow the scenic byway to continue the journey east to Index. This small city is seemingly paused in time located just a mile off US2. During the fall and early winter, consider taking an alternate route from US2 by taking Reiter Road from Gold Bar to Index. This winding, slow drive takes you through the pictureperfect Reiter Foothills with trees and changing leaves to the base of the Index Town Wall – an awe inspiring 500-foot sheer granite cliff. For a great leg stretching hike, explore Heybrook Ridge County Park, a gorgeous and accessible trail for discovering the beautiful and unique flora and fauna located in the Sky Valley.
Continue your journey to Skykomish, an old Rail Town closer to the pass. Stop by local favorites to grab lunch at the cute LouSkis Deli or a gourmet coffee by the fire to
Meet an adventure guide in town to take you to see any number of natural wonders from fishing to mushroom foraging. Try your hand at snowshoeing or even take an ATV or snow machine if you’re feeling adventurous. Enjoy the rest of your day at Sky Artworks, a gallery featuring regional artists located
in the historic Maloney Store. The Sky Valley inspires many artists, if you are inclined to create during your stay bring your favorite art supplies, take advantage of the daily creation space rental, and be inspired by the beautiful Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest which surrounds this old rail town. Next to Sky Artworks is the Skykomish Historical Museum where you can discover some of the fascinating history of this area. Spend another beautiful night tucked away among the trees and plan for your last day exploring the Natural wonders.
The next morning take a hike, Just eight miles east of Skykomish is the Deception Creek trail. Explore lush, moss-covered forest and vivid fall colors in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness The first five miles gradually ascends the valley following Deception Creek, where you can find established campsites. Some of the areas may be closed seasonally check current trail conditions online or call the Skykomish Ranger District office at (360) 677-2414. If the snow is calling, make your way up to the Stevens Pass Ski Resort for a day of skiing or snowboarding. Incredible views from these gorgeous ski hills. Enjoy the lodge while taking a break from classes taught by world class ski and snowboard instructors. Looking for a new winter experience? Spend the day is exploring some of the open Forest Service roads by snowshoeing or harvesting your own tree* with a $10 permit.
*Tip: Be sure to take a tape measure with you, those trees are bigger than you think! Be sure to get your permit at the Sky Valley Chamber & Visitor Center (320 Main St., Sultan, WA, open Monday – Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.).
Sky Valley is home to a variety of micro-climates. The micro-climates bring rapidly shifting weather, so be prepared for rain, temperature swings and more. Be sure to bring appropriate gear, sufficient water, and supplies.
Stay up to date with current road conditions and driving restrictions by checking the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) website. For helpful tips on winter driving, visit: wsdot.com/ travel/real-time/ mountainpasses/ winterdrivingtips.
MONROE
Evergreen Inn & Suites 19103 SR 2 Monroe, WA 98272 (360) 863-1901
monroeguesthouse@gmail.com
Best Western Sky Valley Inn 19233 SR2 Monroe, WA 98272 (360) 794-3111
Fairgrounds Inn 18950 US2 Monroe, WA 98272 (360) 794-5401
The Grayson B&B 20302 N High Rock Rd. Monroe, WA 98272 (360) 330-9491
info@graysonlife.com
Evergreen RV Park 14390 Cascade View Dr. SE Monroe, WA 98272 (360) 805-6700 or (360) 388-6600
Falling Water Gardens Glamping 17516 SR203 Monroe, WA 98272 (360) 863-1400
info@fallingwatergardens.com
Mountain Views Treehouse Joint 14308 Reiner Rd. Monroe, WA 98272
Tracy@mountainviewsbb.com
Ponderosa of Sky Valley 24032 153rd Pl. SE. Monroe, WA 98272 (206) 930-7902
jackie@ponderosaofskyvalley.coms
Thunderbird RV & Camping Resort 26702 Ben Howard Rd. Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 794-4030
A Cabin on the Sky, Index 800 Ave A Index, WA 98256 (360) 793-0100 David Meier, david@acabinonthesky.com
Cascadia Inn, Skykomish 210 E Railroad Ave Skykomish, WA 98288 (360) 677-2030
Bush House Inn 308 5th St Index WA 98256 (425) 298-7642
The Wallace Falls Lodge 14424 Wallace Lake Rd Gold Bar, WA 98251 (206) 408-8170
Dutch Cup Motel 101 Dutch Cup Lane Sultan WA, 98294 (800) 844-0488
Nighthawk Cottage 7621 Rustic Way Sultan, WA (360) 793-2777
Treeline Vacation Rentals Multiple Properties throughout Sky Valley (206) 735-3231
SNOHOMISH
Treehouse Place at Deer Ridge 19922 4th St. SE. Snohomish, WA 98290 (425) 224-3033
Joek97006@yahoo.com
Snohomish Inn 323 2nd St. Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 568-2208
LAKE STEVENS
The Mansion Inn Lake Stevens 1513 Mitchell Rd Lake Stevens, WA 98258 (425) 610-4746
info@mansioninnlakestevens.com mansioninnlakestevens.com
Scan the QR codes to find full event calendars & more!
MONROE
November 26
Small Business Saturday Downtown Monroe choosemonroe.com
November 27
Light Up Monroe Traveler’s Park 4:30 p.m. choosemonroe.com
December 2-3
Hallelujah For Holidays Market
Pickin’ @ The Barn 21709 132nd Street SE 10 a.m.-4p.m. pickinatthebarn.com
December 10-11
Artisans Holiday Fair
Evergreen State Fair Park
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Artisanholidayfair.com
January 22, 2023
Jayme Biendl Memorial 5k
Skykomish River Park 8 a.m.
February 3-4, 2023
The Great Junk Hunt
Evergreen State Fair Park thegreatjunkhunt.com
Monroe Snohomish Sky ValleyNovember 11-12
Holiday Open House
Various Locations, Historic Downtown
November 26-December 23
Miracle on First Street Window Display for Charity
Various Locations, Historic Downtown
November 26
Santa’s Arrival, Santa Photos, and Annual Tree Lighting
Snohomish Carnegie
December 4
Chase the Grinch Outta’ Snohomish
Fun Run
Averill Field
December 9-11
Winterfest 2022: Miracle on First Street
Various Locations, Historic Downtown
December 10
Sippin’ n’ Shoppin’–Holiday Wine Walk
Various Locations, Historic Downtown
December 21
Winter Solstice Walk Riverfront Trail
February 11 (2023)
Sweethearts’ Stroll Engagement Showcase
Feather Ballroom
March 4 (2023)
Snohomish Wine Festival
Thomas Family Farm
November 7-28
Holiday Lights & Display Contest
» Registration opens November 7, closes
November 28 at 5 p.m.
» Public viewing and voting is December 3 – 18
» Winners announced December 21
December 3
Winterfest
North Cove Park
5 p.m.
December 3
Lake Stevens Holiday Maker Fair (Dickens Fair)
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cavelero Mid High School
lkstevens.wednet.edu/holidaymakerfair
November 19
Skykomish Holiday Market
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Maloney General Store, Skykomish WA
December 3-4
Sky Valley Chamber
Ho-Ho-Holiday Market Tour
10 a.m.-4 p.m. skyvalleychamber.com
December 10
Sultan Tree Lighting and Lighted Parade
5 p.m-7 p.m.
» Parade on 8th to Main to 4th
» Tree Lighting at River Park between 1st and 2nd Street on Main Street, Sultan WA communityalliance@ci.sultan.wa.us
Barclay Lake in the Mt. Baker Wilderness.
PHOTO BY NICHOLE GAERTNER
