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Sign Me UpUpper Sky Valley
A VALLEY FULL OF EXPERIENCES
Arrive on US SR2 between the towns of Sultan and Stevens Pass and you’ve entered the Upper Skykomish River Valley. Here in the tall trees, waterfalls and granite rock faces is where river, climbing and hiking guides teach and share what they love. This is where seekers of green space find miles of US Forest Service trails, meet friends, and find silence. Here, camp neighbors and night-sky stargazers swap stories about the days adventure. In this place, food, drink and lodging are deliciously reserved for curious lovers of locally-loved historic downtowns. Welcome to Skykomish, Index, Gold Bar, and Sultan, a region of communities loving life off the beaten path.
In downtown Sultan, right off SR US2 on Main Street sits the Sky Valley Visitor’s Center. No cell reception needed here, but you can charge your electric car. This is where licenses for fishing and hunting, WA State Discover Passes, maps and clean restrooms are had on the daily. Managing this visitor oasis-community-hub-museum is Debbie Copple - one of the rare folks in the world you feel smarter asking super “stupid” questions of. Stop in and test our claim. Be sure to ask about the miniature train and a particular rusty artifact on display – these stories alone are worth the stop. They may also start a new love affair with this wildly iconic region.
P.S. Staying over? Upper Sky Valley lodging spots are small and friendly! Give them a call to book your stay.
Road Trip or Reptile Zoo?
Do both! The Reptile Zoo is on the nationally recognized Cascade Loop route!
THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP
Running from salty sea air to flowering fruit trees and friendly towns to miles upon miles of lush evergreen forest along the Stevens Pass Greenway and North Cascades National Park, find out why National Geographic Traveler calls the Cascade Loop, "One of America's grandest, most spectacular drives."
Photo credit: Cascade Loop National Scenic Byway
Reptile Zoo
The Reptile Zoo, also known as the Washington Serpentarium, houses over 200 creatures, including 75 species of chameleons, scorpions, turtles, and spiders big and small. The collection of snakes is scary: rattlesnakes, pythons, cobras and mambas. If you're brave enough, you can even hold some of the animals in this zoo!
Photo Credit: Chris Hendrickson