Mailbox Peak

This hike does not joke around. With the exclusion of the first half-mile, it goes up, up, and up. It climbs relentlessly and shows no mercy for much of the way. Be sure to pace yourself and drink plenty of H2O. I started the hike at 3:40pm and made it up in 1 hour and 55 minutes moving at a brisk pace. Took a few short breaks to catch my breath and let the legs recover. Crossed paths with eight people who were on their way down and met three more at the summit. I spent 20 minutes at the top and made it down in 1 hour and 10 minutes. It was overcast throughout with some openings of sunlight, so the views were mostly limited. There was no snow on the trail, it was muddy in some areas, and there's an abundance of tree roots to step over, on, and around. I suggest climbing in boots or mid-hikers, but it could be done in sneakers. I climbed without poles, but realized that at least one could have been useful on the descent to create a third point of contact. Overall, it's a gnarly hike that provides a great sense of accomplishment and I definitely plan to go back on a sunny day to capture the views. Also, there are presents left from other travelers so be sure to "check the mail" and sign the mailbox!