Forks of the Sky State Park facts for kids
Forks of the Sky State Park is a huge park in the Washington State Park System. It covers about 1,300 acres (that's like 985 football fields!) and is located right next to the Skykomish River and U.S. Highway 2, near a small town called Index, Washington. Even though it's its own park, Forks of the Sky is managed by Wallace Falls State Park, which is another beautiful park a bit further west on the same highway.
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Forks of the Sky State Park: An Outdoor Adventure
What Makes This Park Special?
Forks of the Sky State Park is a fantastic place for outdoor fun. It offers a mix of river views, forest trails, and amazing rock formations. The park is part of the larger Washington State Park System, which helps protect natural areas for everyone to enjoy.
Discover the Index Town Wall
One of the most exciting features of Forks of the Sky State Park is the Index Town Wall. This massive rock wall is about 1,200 feet tall, which is taller than the Eiffel Tower! It's a very popular spot for rock climbing and even BASE jumping (which is when people jump from a fixed object with a parachute). By 2003, climbers had found over 500 different routes to climb up the wall!
The state of Washington bought the Index Town Wall in 2010, making it an official part of the park. This means it's now protected and available for visitors to explore.
A Tunnel Under the Wall?
At the bottom of the Index Town Wall, there's a blocked-off tunnel. This tunnel was created during a test of a special machine called a tunnel boring machine. This machine was designed to dig tunnels, and this specific one was later sent to help dig the famous Channel Tunnel (also known as the "Chunnel") that connects England and France! It's a cool piece of history right here in the park.
Explore the Wild Sky Wilderness
From Forks of the Sky State Park, you can also reach the Wild Sky Wilderness. A wilderness area is a protected natural place where the land is kept as wild as possible, with very few human-made changes. It's a great place for hiking and experiencing nature in its purest form.
