Imagine a four-tiered waterfall dropping more than 1300 feet that's only a 45 minute drive from the I-5 corridor and the city of Everett. Near the town of Index, Mount Index rises to an altitude of almost 6000 feet. And even if you don’t have aspirations of climbing Mount Index, taking the Lake Serene Trail is one little trek you shouldn’t miss.
   North of I-90, Washington State’s major east-west route, only two highways cross the northern Cascade Range. One of those scenic highways, cutting across Snohomish County, is U.S. Route 2. Here, just south of the town of Sultan, the towering Bridal Veil Falls thunders down from Lake Serene. One of the country’s many Bridal Veils, this braided falls is quite impressive. In reaching the falls, the Lake Serene Trail starts off on an easy prelude to the climb. After leaving the old roadbed, the trail quickly gains elevation over a series of tight switchbacks and stairs. If you don’t get your feet wet crossing a few of the side streams on the way, you’ll definitely get soaked at the base of the falls. For those eager for more, the remaining waterfall tiers and Lake Serene are another 1300 feet up. At this point, the looming cliffs of Mount Index seem to rise straight up, and thankfully remind most that mountain climbing is not on the agenda today.

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