Since it was gorgeous out, I decided to do my yearly trek up to the old mailbox (July 1st). This is a great time to go up there while the flowers are out in full force: Indian Paintbrush, purple lupines, beargrass, Tiger Lilly, and few others I couldn't name. The 'Box trail is definately more heavely used since I've started doing it back in '97. Some sections are becoming very muddy and treacherous thanks to exposed roots if you don't watch what you are doing. I advise trekking poles...especially for the return trip!!! Lower down in the clearing, lots of Foxgloves are blooming now. As usual, the Ham and Eggs book was signed and I also signed in a very appropriate book about unique mailboxes...cool!!!!! E.g. Mailboxes resembling fishing reels and pistols. Oh, I liked the little figurines mounted on the 'Box up there. Happy Hiking John M.

I'm glad that this one is out of the way. I had been avoiding the Mailbox this hiking season, yesterday I felt compelled to get it over with. The trail was more steep and rough than I had remembered. Overall this trail is pretty awful, it's so rough you're never able to develop a good pace. The views from the rockpile to the Mailbox are nice, and all kinds of goodies can be found inside the mailbox. A previous report made note of how dangerous the path is up to the mailbox, it's not. It's a slow go, watch your feet and balance your weight properly. Even if you were to tumble, you're not going to go far. It seems that this trail is increasing in popularity, many cars were at the trailhead yesterday. Mailbox Peak should not be taken lightly, it's again very steep, requires a lot of energy, and is very taxing on the knees. Though, it's a challenge, for that it is a worthy hike. Till next summer....

Greeting fellow hikers, This hike was chosen because of a previously written review by another hiker - Bill Sunderland in 1996 (see the Trail Reviews section of the Online Hikng Guide I applaud his sense of humor. Our first look at the mailbox peak began the week before. We wanted to get an idea of the trail before we took it on. We followed the road up and looked for an unmarked trailhead. As we come to what appeared to be a trail going of the left (unmarked) we decided this must be it. Well, it wasn't. We must have gone 1/2 mile before we decided we should turn around. If you are on this trail, you can note the following... it doesn't enter the woods... it follows the trees yet fails to enter them. This will be your biggest clue... turn around... go back to the road and continue up until you find the next unmarked trail to the left. We put some branches in front of the false ""unmarked trailhead"" to alert other hikers not to go this way. As you enter the trail, you immediately enter the forest. We encountered some mud along the way due to the rain the previous day. Oh, I should mention, the day was sunny and we began our hike at 5:30 pm. There were four of us (Thor, Nick, Jeff, and myself) and we stayed in groups of two. You should bring plenty of water and some food on this hike. Do not, I repeat, do not attempt this hike later that 5:30 pm if you want to make it to the top. If you do, then you had better have a flashlight with you (one of the 10 essentials that we should all be caring). Use the following as a gauge on whether you will make it. If you can ascend Mt Si in 1:30 (to the bottom of haystack) then you have the potential to make it to the top. This also takes into account that you will hustle down the trail (risking slipping and injury) to get out before dark. We made it to the peak at 7:36 pm, spend 10 minutes there and were out by 9:00 pm. And I will say again.. we hustled down the trail... running where we could. The trail is mainly dirt (and mud). For the first 5 minutes the trail is quite pleasant. You will come to a stream where you think to yourself ""what a great hike""... then, as you leave the stream, your thoughts begin to turn to ""why did I pick this one""... and ""it can't be this steep much longer"". The trail will now go up... and up... and up... there is no down... until you reach the rock pile... and then only for a moment. The switchbacks are short (more of a zig zag) and you will question whether they meet the definition of a switchback. Thoughts of going straight up will enter your mind as the steepness is about the same as the trail... at some points you will be convinced it is... When you are within 30 minutes of the top, you will come to a rock pile... a very big rock pile. Do not waste your time climbing this rock pile. Instead, go around it to the left. The trail will descend maybe 15 feet. You will immediately start going up and around the rock pile. You will continue up.. .and up. Once you get out of the forest you will be at the base of the final climb to the mailbox - yes, there is a mailbox there. If you have time, enjoy the view there before the final climb... As you look up, you will be saddened by the steepness and some of you may want to give up.... don't.... The top is within your grasp. As you start the final ascent, the mailbox will come into view... seeing this will give you the energy to reach it. Please be careful on this final climb. There are no trees and if you slip.. well... you will probably go rolling down 100 feet or so before you will stop (if you're lucky) and you will bounce a few times too....and...you may not survive. Once there, you can sign the two books that are there and examine what others have left behind. You may want to bring something to leave there yourself. One of the books is ""Green Eggs and Ham"" by Dr. Seuss. There is a rubber chicken and a key change to name a few. Oh, if one of you is kind enough, could you bring a drill... the cordless type as there is no outlet (that we could find anyway). Someone has broken off the flag and it would be nice if someone could drill a hole in it and attach it back to the mailbox. This maybe one of the reasons no mail is being picked up. The view is fantastic and well worth it on a sunny day. As I said earlier... give yourself plenty of time for this hike. People say Mt Si is a great training hike for Mt Rainier... I am now convinced, Mailbox Peak is the training hike for Mt Rainier. Mt Si should be considered the training hike for Mailbox Peak. The return trip down the mountain if easy if you have time... if you don't then it's a race... I would not want to be caught on this trail in the dark... Mailbox Peak is a must do if you are up for challenges... but be smart... do Mt Si first... you will appreciate Mailbox more if you do...

My first trip up Mailbox along with my dog Smokey. About Bill's excellent description in Trail Reviews, I'd like to say that the gate is white except for the rusty brownish-yellow parts and the parking lot is just before you leave the pavement. The hiking trail now begins just past a clearcut instead of forest. Trail is in good shape except someone stole the switchbacks. It was tough.

Headed out planning to hike the Old Si trail, however I saw Mailbox beckoning in the background. Got to the parking area at 10:15, grabbed the last parking spot in the small parking area off the road. This was my first trip to Mailbox since the logging started, looks like the butchers are done. The trail is in good shape, just two small snow patches to cross (if you decide to bypass the scramble across the boulder field). The trail is excellent after you leave the forest, looks like the snow has only recently melted as the ferns have not begun to take over. The last part of the hike up the meadow is still pretty drab, but the wildflowers should be taking over fairly quickly. Saw one Indian Paintbrush and a couple of trillium towards the top. There was a slight breeze on the top with views of Si, Teneriffe and of course Rainier. Got to the summit in one hour, 45 minutes. Great hike!!