Mailbox Peak

Well, I thought I was in good shape.....I had 3 Mt. Si hikes under my belt so far this year and thought I should try the Mailbox Challenge. Light rain but not to cold upon my start..I have never tried this hike so I was a little worried about getting lost but for the most part the trail was easy enough to follow although I took a couple of wrong turns but then re-adjusted my course to the correct trail. I have to describe it as relentless uphill climb. I usually do not have to rest on my way up Si....but on Mailbox I found myself stopping to catch my breath several times. Snow was a little tricky towards the top and only saw 2 people coming down when I was going up and so I asked them how much further I had and is the trail okay to find in the snow. They were helpful and said I had about 40 min. to go. 2-hours and 10 min. to the top and I felt all of it. Very muddy and slick on the decent and I fell on my butt twice but luckily no injuries. I would take more water/Gatorade with me next time as I drank the 32 ounces on the top and I normally don't drink a lot on the way down but was very thirsty when I got near the bottom. I think 2-bottle minimum if I go again....especially if it is hot out. All in all not the longest hike I have done....but defineatley the toughest.