Mailbox Peak - Old Trail — Friday, May. 3, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

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..