If you're visiting, check out these spots:

• The Bush House is a homey, two-story hotel dating back to the town's earliest days. Rooms: $59, $70 and $80. Monday-Saturday: breakfast 7:30-11; lunch 11-3; dinner 3-9. Sunday: brunch 9-3, dinner 3-9. Lounge. 300 Fifth St. 800-428-2874.

• The Pickett Historical Museum showcases the photos of pioneer photographer Lee Pickett and other exhibits that bring the town's century-plus history to life. Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 3 p.m., through September. For personal tours: 360-793-1844. 510 Avenue A.

• Avenue A Gallery offers pottery, weaving, paintings, candles and other work by local artists. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., through September; Nov. 28, 29 and 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., for Christmas gifts. Next door to the Pickett Museum.

• The Index Town Wall attracts serious rock climbers to its vertical cliffs. To watch the action at the lower wall, take Index Avenue for half a mile west of town, then turn right on an unmarked gravel driveway that goes 50 feet into a rough parking lot just below the railroad tracks. Follow the tracks and look for climbers on the cliffs. Listen for trains.

• Pickett Beach is the place for good swimming in the north fork of the Skykomish. On the west side of the firehouse, next to the Pickett House Museum, take the short trail through the blackberry bushes.

• Troublesome Creek Campground provides camping and a lovely half-mile nature trail just off Index-Galena Road, 10 miles east of the Index bridge. The Forest Service campground closes Sept. 14 for the season, but you can take the nature walk until snow closes the road.

• River rafting: Oops . . . too late for the summer rafting season. But for when the waters of the Skykomish rise again in October, a couple of guide services in Index are:
  • Chinook Expeditions: P.O. Box 324, Index 98256. 800-241-3451.

  • Wave Trek: P.O. Box 236, Index 98256. 800-543-7971.

• Advance notice: The Forest Service will finish building its three-mile trail to Lake Serene, beneath the eastern cliffs of Mount Index, by the end of fall. An opening date hasn't been set yet. But when it opens, get on up there for the finest in easily accessible Cascades mountain splendor. From U.S. Highway 2 about a quarter-mile west of the turnoff to the town of Index, turn south on Mount Index Road and drive less than a mile to the trailhead parking lot.