It was a tough looking crowd in the parking lot. It was 5:20pm and our group was heading up for a training hike. One guy reached down for a handful of dirt for a better grip on his ski poles; it was eerily reminiscent of Russell Crowe from ""Gladiator"". Then we were off and hiking. The lower trail was muddy but otherwise in good shape. Slushy snow accumulations higher up created a slippery mud and slush mix. Once we got out of the woods it was step-kicking or walking in old boot tracks. Gaitors were useful but not required. We reached the snow covered summit at 7:15pm and dumped our load of extra water. It felt like it was below freezing with a light breeze. Somebody had left a bottle of Coors Light in the paper box. We hung out for a little while and headed down reaching the cars after sunset but before dark - no headlamps were needed. Actually nobody picked up any dirt, but I felt like it was a tough crowd just the same. I used trekking poles - no ice axe or crampons were needed.

Left Seattle before 10 o'clock. Dave,Kim and four-sure feet Luka in the car. Kim drove-very nice of her-I knew that I would appreciate that on the way home.Out I-90 to exit 34. Go left and past truck stop-turn right at first intersection. After passing the houses,stop at first wide spot.Pull over on the left or if that is full as it was today go to the right and take last spot by the gate.Have not seen so many cars out here.Expecting a nasty day but dressed lightly to start-cool,not cold.Up the logging road to just past the clear cut and turn right.We stopped at the stream so Luka could get water as there is none after here.Now you go up and find out why this is known as a thigh burnner.Some how I got in front for awhile but Kim was just behind me.I knew this would not last. Boom!Appolo Ohno swings wide and drops in front all while going uphill and not missing a beat.Soon Dave is right there with her while Fleetfoot slows to my pace.Ah,life is good.Some mud on trail but not too slick--this we will appreciate on the way down as it adsorbs the shock on the knees.Pass a couple of people and continue where else but up.As the day is turning into the next Fleetfoot spots light dusting of snow off trail.Yes,we are gaining evelation.A light snow starts to fall-much,much better than liquid sun.Many people are on the way down.Some have made it to the top, others stopped at the base of the rocks. Some icy spots ahead.The worst of the ice is just before you leave the trees. We stop to put on cold weather clothes.Snow is falling fast but it is not of the cement type.People tell us Dave and Kim are ten minutes in front of us. I think this is Monday.Most of the elevation is out of the way and this is the nicest section of the trail. A little sun even comes out and we can see I-90.At the rock field we are not sure which direction Dave and Kim took. Fleetfoot and I go up the snow field while a man coming down with crampons on suggest the rocks.Up we go!Now we do not know where Dave and Kim are.Fleetfoot calls and I suggest the whistle. We can hardly see the top and they are not is sight.We do not want to miss -them going down while we are going-- Continue up. The whistle works. Dave appears from the rock mound blocking our veiw of the top.There is Luka and Kim.Fifteen more minutes to the top.No,Dave and Kim have come down.Fleetfoot and I have been there.This is good.Take a couple of pictures and head down.Cloudy and cool. At the top of the snow field it cannot be resisted.Fleetfoot and I get in a sitting glassade.What better way to top the day off.All down hill from here. Four other people on the way up.Most of the way down to oursleves.Stop by the stream for a short break.Back to the car and on the way home.I think Kim summed it up by saying something to the effect of you have to love the pain.A very good spring workout.It is still Sat..

There could hardly be a nicer day than today (April 28th) to climb a local peak and take in mind boggling views. For those of you that aren't familiar with this little romp, Mailbox Peak is about 3 miles off I-90 at Exit 34 and it is one steep, long climb that doesn't stop until you actually touch the mailbox at the top. The lower trail is quite muddy and wet as you climb upward over gnarled, slippery, tree roots that have been adopted as staircases. This is the first year I've tried using a walking stick and using it here to keep me upright on those slippery, muddy steps made me a believer in their use. The trail is snow free until you are about 1400 feet from the summit. From there on up, you are in snow, except for a short section along the ridge near the top where the trail emerges from the snow. You can make it up without snowshoes because the snow is soft enough that you can dig your toes in for a step up, but especially for this section, ski poles or trekking poles are a really nice thing to have as you will be working your way up two long, steep snowfields. And the views on this clear sunny day could not possibly be better. So many of the dozen or so people that were up on the section that is above the treeline were just standing in awe of the blue skies and snow-topped mountains that surrounded us.

Snow is continuous starting around 2700'. The snow is soft and shallow in the forested slopes, with lots of branches sticking out waiting to impale you if you slip. The open slopes higher up are wind-blasted so the snowpack is mostly shallow there too, with some occasional postholing into air pockets. Don't forget those trekking poles! No views on this overcast day, spent the upper half of the trail pretty much socked in. Signed our names in the Dr. Seuss book, took in the imaginary view, and headed down. Awesome workout.

Snow free up to 3500' or so. Not too icy, need snowshoes once you get out of the trees, or you can hike it, but lots of postholing. Very windy from the base of the talus field on up. Eric had dug out the mailbox before we got there. Watch out for slab releases on the approach on the ridge, and it is kind of icy.