Bridal Veil Falls

Central Cascades

A beautiful waterfall flows out of Lake Serene and cascades below the rugged east wall of Mount Index at the end of a trail on the west side of Bridal Veil Creek. Take time to see and enjoy a stunning view of Bridal Veil Falls and climb flights of steps paralleling the falls.

Children will be fascinated as they stand directly beside the water and look up a 100-foot rock face to see the streams of water that make up the bridal veil pouring beside them. An old nearby mine, the Honeymoon Mine, brought the original nineteenth-century travelers to the Lake Serene area.

Feel the wet spray and awesome power of the waterfall as you look up a 100-foot rock face and see broad streams of water pouring over it like a veil. Watch it disappear below wide views of the Index Wall and North Fork Skykomish valley.

The secret is out though. The parking lot overflows and the trail gets busy on summer weekends with a wide variety of hikers.

The trail starts off very mild, following an abandoned road for about ¾ of the way through forest of large alders, moss covered maple, and later old growth conifers. It can get wet in places as small streams are crossed.

At 1.5 miles the Lake Serene trail forks to the left, and crosses a bridge with a view of the lower falls. Stay right, and the trail climbs through a rocky stretch, ascends several stairways, and at two miles ends at the dramatic Bridal Veil Falls. You will be impressed.

Bridal Veil Falls

Map & Directions

Getting There

To reach the trailhead from Everett, follow Highway 2 east to the small town of Gold Bar. Continue on Highway 2 for seven more miles. Just as the road curves left to reveal a large bridge over the Skykomish River, turn right onto Mount Index Road. Proceed on this dirt road a quarter mile. Turn right again, following the sign to Lake Serene Trail 1068 and the parking lot 500 feet ahead.

Consider visiting Lake Serene on a weekday. While there may appear to be ample parking, the lake's popularity, particularly on weekends, often results in more cars than the trailhead can accommodate. Please note the No Parking signs. If you must park on the side of the dirt road, pull well off the road so that traffic and emergency vehicles can pass and other hikers can exit the lot.