Index Town Wall

Great hike. Good workout. Wonderful views. Thanks to terpene and geezerhiker, their trip reports were a big help in finding and following the trail. The map at www.stanford.edu/~clint/index/trailmap.gif indicates many trails around and along the top of the Wall, but the reality on the ground is somewhat different.

To get to the trailhead, go through Index south along the road until you come to a small, unmarked parking lot next to the railroad tracks. Cross the tracks and immediately follow the road alongside the track until you get to an "authorized vehicles only" sign. Enter here and you will come to the base of an impressive rock cliff with a sealed tunnel at its base. Imagine the Doors of Durin! There is a picnic table there and the trail heads off to the right.

If you cross the tracks and go forward instead of right, there appears to be some interesting little trails to the left. Do not take the trail to the right which follows along the base of the rock cliff. It is a bushwhacking scramble over boulders the size of condominiums and no fun.

The trail from the Doors of Durin climb steeply through many switchbacks 1/2 mile to a junction. Go right 0.1 miles to another junction marked by blue diamonds on the trees. The map says there is a trail to the right but there really isn't. Go left another 1/2 mile around the south shoulder of the Wall then ascend more switchbacks. The trail is easy to see and no obstructions or snow. There are plenty of blue diamond markers. Go under the cable fence with flags hanging on it and up the creek bed about 35 yards to a wonderful lookout. Great place for lunch.

Don't forget Espresso Chalet on Highway 2 just east of Index. Great way to reward yourself for a good hike.