Snow starts as you break out of the trees about 800' vertical from the mailbox. There's been some nice work on the mailbox, by the way, and a new register placed there just yesterday. Even though you hit snow, there isn't a lot and some of the boulders are free of snow. Most of the route above is clear of snow on the path. Perhaps in a few weeks the whole route (boulder route) will be bare. Snow starts on Si 1/4 mile from the summit area. Very icy from boots packing it down!

Trail generally is in good condition. Wet on the the approach. Lots of snow on top. Crampons not needed, but ice axe recommended. As always, brutal, but worth the workout. The toothbrush was not seen. I'll plant a new one next time I'm out there.

I had to try out all my new x-mas gear and what better place than Mailbox. New backpack, poles, and a rain jacket. I didn't need the rain jacket, just sunglasses. It was very windy at the start. At 1500' the wind just stoped. It got realy warm. It got warmer all the way to the top. There was some snow near the top but hardly worth mentioning. It was awsome to see the rest of Puget Sound fogged in but the mountians were clear.

Overall, the trail is in excellent shape. A little muddy here, some water there, but nothing to complain about. The trail around the rockslide has been clearly stamped out in the snow by boots. Snow starts shortly before you break out of the trees, and there's 2-3 feet of snow on the summit. (The toothbrush is gone.)

The trail is in very good shape. The new trail register and mailbox are also in great shape and quite enjoyable. How about ""The Lorax"" for the next register' Too cliche' See the October 3rd review by Korth for perfect directions to find the trailhead if it's your first time. They worked for me. The logging appears to be over, at least for now, and the access roads one walks to the trailhead are clear. [Online editor's note: I have a copy of the Lorax that I'm planningon taking up there in the next week or two.]