Index Camping/Parking

Looking for perspective from Index regulars. It's been a while since I've climbed there. Curious about the current rate of break-ins? Parking in town vs LTW? Camping locations to get a good night sleep and avoid trouble? Thanks. 

About parking, it depends on which walls you go to. Though I haven't heard about break-ins at the LTW lot in awhile, they have been happening for decades and are unlikely to stop now. 

For the past few years, I've just been going to the Lookout Point area and now only park either next to the town park or at Heybrook Ridge trail parking. I am not sure how the "Friends of Heybrook Ridge" feel about their parking lot being used by climbers, but I have never seen it reach close to its capacity. Parking there adds only a minute to the approach. The Index main page here seems to have pretty good, up-to-date info on parking. 

Other than the "Wagonwheel" camping near the LTW lot, I've wondered about the camping up near the pullout for the Sasquatch boulders. When I visited last summer, there appeared to be places that folks had camped at, though they might be out of earshot of the car. I don't know if this is a recommended spot or not though. Perhaps others can fill us in?

Haven’t heard of a break in in a while. In summer there’s so many people hanging out not climbing there’s pretty much always eyes on the cars. Don’t leave stuff out tho. Only time I get nervous at index now is if it’s winter and the lot is mostly empty.

Gold bar seems different though. 

If you have assets of large worry,  park near town and add a few minutes on your commute. Otherwise, theft comes in waves that aren’t predictable. From my experience, the break-ins over the last several years have been moments of opportunity.

Folks stealing items aren’t looking to loot your home, their looking for a moment of opportunity (usually as the trains pass) to grab a few items. 

Index has always been a safe place to visit for me! I've never had issues parking in the wagon-wheel lot, LTW parking lot or in town near the elementary school. I suspect any break-ins are likely the result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or leaving something of value in plain sight in the vehicle.

As far as camping- I stayed at Money Creek Campground last summer for a week, it was nice to have an actual campsite and toilet.  It's a tad quieter than the LTW parking lot, but you can still hear the train and the Highway.  It's about 15 minutes one way.  Maybe 20 bucks a night or something.  Didn't seem like it fills up on weekdays (I think there was some first come first serve sites, as well as reserve in advance).

dan

Little Joe wrote:

Watch out for Larry! He has a storage unit in Everett, it is full of stolen items. He offered me a ride to the store, and as I went into the restroom(at the store),  he went to his car before I did, reached into my backpack and stole my sure ear phones; then he began threatening me with a knife. They even cut down an electric pole to steal the powerlines. They sell aluminum to the recycle center. There are lots of addicts around the town of Goldbar and Index. Someone said that I was Larry. Bill Corson falsely accused me of carrying a knife and threatening people around Index. I went to the police, law enforcement did not do anything to help me. That was the worst climbing trip that I have been on.  

When was this? Did you report it to the police?? 

My guess is that this is the same guy that every time he happens to be in jail, breakins mysteriously stop until he is released again.  But seriously, did you report this?  Someone getting threatened with a knife in the General Store Parking lot is a LOT different than a smash and grab. 

8 years ago right around when I started climbing I practically left my windows open I had someone steal: gum, $5, a screw driver and those old really terrible discover passes you got in the mail. I then got a parking ticket….

I have seen a lot of broken glass over the years..

Part of me does wonder if climbers were less adversarial to the orv people that camp across the bouldering lot if things would be better..