Before I begin my account on my Mailbox peak experience, I would like to devote a few lines of gratitude to all the well-wishing hikers and climbers, who take the time to maintain trails and provide helpful information about the same to add to everyone else's safety and enjoyment. You inspire me!
Pre-Hike: I learnt about Mailbox peak from a climb leader on a Mountaineers' climb and it peeked my curiosity 'cause it was supposed to be very difficult. I felt this would serve as a good test for my conditioning for the climbing season as well as exercise some not so oft used muscles :). So, I set a date and invited my friends Sameer and Arati along and being the enthusiastic couple they are, they readily agreed.
Getting there: We set out on a cool day with that little hint of rain following directions from previous articles and reports I had come across during the course of my research. I found these to be quite accurate but I would like to add a few minor additions 'cause I really do want more people to enjoy this hike and not worry too much about finding the trailhead. 1. From Seattle drive EAST on I-90. 2. Take EXIT 34. 3. Turn LEFT at the end of the ramp. 4. FOLLOW this road past Ken's Truck town. 5. Turn RIGHT onto SE Middle Fork Road. 6. Now comes the tricky PART - PLEASE PAY ATTENTION :). 7. Middle Fork Road road splits about a mile from the turn - but not too worry 'cause both roads join up again (We took the road to the left). 8. When the roads meet again at a STOP sign you need to be cautious again 'cause you're nearing the trailhead. 9. Very soon the nice paved road turns to GRAVEL and this is an indication to slow down and look to your RIGHT 'cause there standing bold and bare in the woods is a shiny yellow gate (#19). Do not block the gate it may take offense (it says DO NOT BLOCK in just those many words!). 10. Well, find parking there's plenty of it and get ready for the next stage of trailhead gazing :). 11. Walk past the gate onto a logging road and bring your strong sense of direction and observation along, you will need it. 12. Less than 100 yards from the gate you will come across the semblance of a path heading left - DO NOT TAKE THIS PATH! 13. Keep on the road and keep your eyes peeled to the left for a small wooden sign (NAILED to a TREE) with the words ""MAILBOX PEAK"" engraved. Rejoice - You've FOUND it. 14. This sign is a five-minute walk from the yellow gate and if you come to a stream, you've definitely missed the trail. 15. Well, once you've found this sign get set for an enjoyable and memorable hike all the way UP to Mailbox Peak.
The Hike: For those of you who have by now lost faith in my directions and still feel you aren't on the right trail, I have but one helpful tip. If you ever feel that the trail heads in any direction but UP, you're on the wrong trail! Right from the start the trail hinted at what was to come - plenty of exercise for mind and body. The very first mile brought an interesting feature, a tree trunk that seemed to have grown hand holds, (kudos to the folks that created this work of art) that we used without much ado. The trail began to get steeper and we all felt the need to embrace the slope (be prepared to use your hands in some of the steeper sections). The trail was not very difficult to follow, though we did come across some parts in the two miles (the first 2000 feet of the climb) where the trail seemed to split - not to worry the two wander back and carry on happily ever after. At an altitude of about 3600 feet we left the forest and found ourselves among brush and bear grass. From here the trail was a bit more difficult to follow but still quite visible. By now the raindrops had also become more visible :) and we were just about reaching for our rain gear when it returned to a drizzle. The trail continued it's climb through brush and a scattering of trees till it met up with a huge pile of rocks, some parts of which were snow, covered. There were three options here viz. scrambling up the rocks, scrambling up the snow or staying to the left of the rocks and ascending through the trees. On our ascent the rocks seemed like the best bet and we were able to negotiate them with ease by staying between the trees and the snowfield (use caution on the loose rocks 'cause some of them are slippery). This was a good idea because the trail picks up again in the trees at the top of the slope. Once we'd found the trail again, we could see it running up the mountain all the way to the Summit, which is marked by a protruding branch. We climbed slowly and steadily onwards to our meeting with the famous Mailbox and what a meeting it was! We spent about 45 great minutes at the summit enjoying the views and reading the humorous contributions of others who had enjoyed the climb. All of us added the sum of our thoughts to the Dr. Seuss book and prayed that this trail and all like it would remain untouched for everyone to enjoy. None of us wanted to leave but it was growing cold and the rain was beginning to threaten, so we left the lonely Mailbox once more for our descent. The descent was uneventful but we do recommend that all use caution; it's easy to slip on a wet tree root and there are plenty of opportunities. Don't miss this hike, it is a test of stamina but well worth that extra effort.
Hike Stats: Length: 7-8 miles, Elevation Gain: Approx. 4100 feet, Duration: Ascent - 3 hrs.; Descent - 2.5 hrs.
Weather Conditions: Cool and wet while in the forest during the morning hours, Windy at the Summit, Raining quite heavily in the early afternoon while descending.
Hazards: In the forest: steep trail with exposed and slick tree roots, Above the treeline: Snow and some slippery rocks (these are avoidable if the route through the trees is chosen).
Acknowledgements: This trip report would not have been written or completed but for my good friends Arati and Sameer, who accompanied me on this trip and added to my enjoyment of it. Also, thanks to the friendly hikers who gave us helpful tips along the way. Yes, we did meet all of 7 people on the trail. And above all Thanks to the Mailbox and all those folks that contributed to getting it to where it so proudly sits!