Bridal Veil Falls & Lake Serene
Frantic falls and a placid lake can be found beneath spiraling Mount Index.
ROUND TRIP: Bridal Veil Falls 4.4 miles/ Lake Serene 7.2 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 850/1900 feet
SEASON: May - November
START: Lake Serene Trail 1068
PARKING: Northwest Forest Pass
Towering and formidable, Mount Index is perhaps the most awesome sight along the Stevens Pass Highway. And Bridal Veil Falls emanating from beneath the mountain’s austere crags is not a scene you’ll forget. But to really appreciate this impressive landmark, you’ll need to leave your vehicle and hit the trail. Start by following an old road lined with mossy maples and alders gradually ascending 1.7 miles to a junction.
![](https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/bridal-veil-falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a424855387bcd22ce1d26918130494ec 320w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/bridal-veil-falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b867e55a58d5b894fae98b630990f605 540w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/bridal-veil-falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=48b63f7ce1f47e02576ca10912878e9f 768w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/bridal-veil-falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=27b85a7eff9e2756a8a90bd0c7dfa29a 1024w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/bridal-veil-falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8a8183068426c2d73270bdfffd0d2f5b 1200w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/bridal-veil-falls.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=7e8a6871f0b24f0ad8e894a3d4508c2e 1440w)
For Bridal Veil Falls, head right a half mile climbing steeply via a series of short switchbacks and stairways to viewing areas often soaked in spray. For Lake Serene continue on the main trail dropping a little into a damp ravine. Cross Bridal Veil Creek and then begin climbing. The trail makes a long sweep east and then a long sweep west working its way under, over, and around cliffs. Take in fine views of the Skykomish Valley below as well as out to Ragged Ridge and other peaks of the Wild Sky Wilderness.
![](https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=026a3ae1d26aa13263c97f537c1af68b 320w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d4c2b2f2d0d59891c20422a196e931d4 540w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=c909d557a7fc26c86940753912eebd38 768w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6a961def0dd49e464fe729ff89f55491 1024w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7bf28c1567d5513bb4f89ed8ea488573 1200w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=126e5f3902e7e029f56d45b2cc755126 1440w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=bafd68f046720297b9dd63d87db6a3c5 1920w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=bcf6642d97b07bcd2221962fb16d2a75 2560w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/Area-Maps-10.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=66ed1cf41634c7319f31282770c20911 3301w)
Lake Serene greets you in a tight basin beneath the ramparts and parapets of Mount Index. Cross the lake’s outlet on a sturdy bridge and head to Lunch Rock above the shores of the icy lake (keep children close by). Now stare straight up those surrounding 3,000 vertical foot stark walls. Hardly serene; it’s awe-inspiring! But when the basin is calm, those imposing rock faces reflect upon the lake’s surface.
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![](https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/DJI_0236-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0e4380c7df21426a3da14eac0d9f5bcc 320w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/DJI_0236-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5a40493a62e736a02bf5bac63027019d 540w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/DJI_0236-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f5140e7b102f766464034a6fc8174b39 768w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/DJI_0236-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a3aad24ceb570880ef90533bc82486ba 1024w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/DJI_0236-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=701089cab4229fed2948e8f361b033f4 1200w, https://snohomish.imgix.net/images/archive/DJI_0236-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5dda7a7a09df5c7a2f1da95e966c474c 1280w)