 The main stem is formed by the confluence of the two forks.The river and its forks rise near in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the Cascade Mountains and flows generally north, joining the Tye River to form the South Fork Skykomish River.The Foss River's waters eventually empty into Puget Sound near Everett via the Skykomish River and Snohomish River.