I don't see what all the fuss is about. people talk about this as some sort of accomplishment. the hike was hard, but the views were mid. I did hear a pika, though, so that was positive.
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Joe User on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
What’s the point of reporting that it’s no accomplishment, other than bragging rights. Not everyone’s as tough as you, and King County does up to a dozen SAR missions a year on Mailbox. Your comments encourage more people to go up unprepared.
Posted by:
Joe User on Apr 27, 2025 04:05 PM
Psychotamus on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
Instead of villainizing someone expressing an honest opinion, please reflect that I stated that the hike was challenging and detracted others from going as it is not worth the reward. Lionizing a risky and difficult hike is far more damaging than anything I've stated in my review.
I witnessed people hiking in sandals carrying nothing more than a sweater. I provided them with water and guidance during my hike. Surely, over promoting this hike to legendary status has caused more cause for concern than the review I left to cause others to reconsider the hike they choose.
Posted by:
Psychotamus on Apr 27, 2025 04:52 PM
206Hiker206 on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
Dude no one’s making a 'fuss' about Mailbox being scenic or some huge accomplishment. People respect it because it’s a relentlessly steep hike that builds fitness for bigger alpine objectives. You won’t find better training just 40 minutes from Seattle. Hiking up Mailbox isn't for the views or bragging rights, it’s for legs and lungs. If you missed that, it says a lot more about your experience level than it does about the trail.
Posted by:
206Hiker206 on Apr 27, 2025 08:19 PM
Psychotamus on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
People seem really hurt that I insulted their favorite little hike. For that, I can only say that I'm glad it took so little to set you off. I hope you think of me when you feel the most anger, and I hope you never see this hike the same way again. Your inability to see past your own views only shows your maturity. Happy trails, friends.
Posted by:
Psychotamus on Apr 27, 2025 08:31 PM
206Hiker206 on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
This isn’t about being upset or defending a 'favorite hike.' WTA is meant to share helpful trail info, not stir up negativity like it’s Reddit. Posting multiple times to tear down the same trail (I saw you posted another smarmy trip report about Mailbox on 8/9/2024) says more about your attitude than it does about Mailbox. Hopefully you find a hike you actually enjoy. And for what it’s worth, I don't think anyone would call Mailbox their favorite hike anyway.
Posted by:
206Hiker206 on Apr 28, 2025 09:19 AM
Psychotamus on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
I find it troubling that simply pointing out the negative along with the positive aspects to help people make more informed choices about a trail is not "helpful trail info".
Posted by:
Psychotamus on Apr 28, 2025 09:44 AM
206Hiker206 on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
You’re clearly not a fan of Mailbox, but let’s keep it real, a lot of your comments aren’t exactly helpful. For example, calling the hike 'lifeless' or 'boring' and comparing the last 1,000 feet to 'just walking up stairs' completely misses the point of what people are actually using this trail for. It’s not an Instagram hike — it’s about the fitness. No one’s calling it a 'religious experience' (as you stated in your August trip report), and if you’re going to share your experience, maybe consider that your tone and negative focus don’t reflect what others come here for.
Posted by:
206Hiker206 on Apr 28, 2025 09:57 AM
Psychotamus on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
Words without tone are like music without pitch. I would not be so bold to assume someone's intentions for hiking. For you, it may be fitness. For me, it might be seeing pika, for another, the views or adventure so to limit a review to something as simple as "4k elevation gain in 2 miles is pretty rad" is not capturing the whole picture of why someone may choose a hike.
The true genesis of my review I heard how great this hike was, and when I did it last year, people said unless I did the old trail, I never actually hiked mailbox. Taking their word for it, I tried it, and it didn't really change my opinion. Being the only negative review on WTA, I found it not only the right thing to do but also my responsibility to offer a counterpoint to the overwhelming amount of 5 star reviews.
This trail does not deserve a 5 star review for all purposes someone on the WTA site would choose a hike.
Posted by:
Psychotamus on Apr 28, 2025 10:13 AM
206Hiker206 on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
It sounds like the people you talked to seriously overhyped Mailbox and misled you (e.g., if they were saying it's a religious experience and a huge accomplishment). Next time, it might be worth taking some time to dive deeper into the specifics of the hike before making judgments based on hearsay. I also get the sense that you're still relatively new to hiking in the area, and while everyone’s experience is different, comments about the views or expectations regarding wildlife on Mailbox seem a bit off—North Bend hikes right off I-90 are not going to be prime territory for pika, for example. Try not thinking of hikes like restaurant reviews and rating them on a scale of 1-5 stars, and instead, appreciate hikes for what they are.
Posted by:
206Hiker206 on Apr 28, 2025 10:59 AM
Psychotamus on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
The reviews are what made me think of people's opinions of mailbox and as far as hearsay you took three sentences and overinflated it to some personal attack on you which is one of the most pathetic pieces of literature I've ever read. As far as experience hiking and climbing, I have over 28 years of experience. My example of pika was entirely anecdotal. Get a life
Posted by:
Psychotamus on Apr 28, 2025 11:23 AM
206Hiker206 on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
I'm not overinflating anything, I'm just quoting your own trip reports. And I’m not taking anything personally, I just found your snarky and negative take on Mailbox Peak off-base. It’s clear you don’t really get what that hike is about, which is fine, but maybe it’s time to actually understand the hike before throwing out harsh judgments. If you’ve been hiking for 28 years, you should know better than to come off like a bitter Yelp reviewer on WTA.
Posted by:
206Hiker206 on Apr 28, 2025 11:42 AM
annapurna on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
I feel like I'm watching a tennis match here. Quite the long rally folks!
Posted by:
annapurna on May 01, 2025 04:27 PM
Psychotamus on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
annapurna wins! No, sincerely, I appreciate this. I didn't realize someone (206Hiker206) would get so bent out of shape for my opinion that, while a little curt, ran contrary to their own. I let this interaction absolutely ruin my week and to have someone point out the conversation really is allowing me to look at it is for what it is; just another interaction I allowed to get out of hand. Have a good day and happy trails.
Posted by:
Psychotamus on May 01, 2025 04:55 PM
Leave_No_Trace_Or_Stay_Home on Mailbox Peak - Old Trail
(((Looks at average American)))
Better have the SAR team on standby and an aid car at the trailhead.
Posted by:
Leave_No_Trace_Or_Stay_Home on May 02, 2025 08:27 AM