Mailbox Peak - Old Trail — Tuesday, May. 7, 2002

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

It was a tough looking crowd in the parking lot. It was 5:20pm and our group was heading up for a training hike. One guy reached down for a handful of dirt for a better grip on his ski poles; it was eerily reminiscent of Russell Crowe from ""Gladiator"". Then we were off and hiking. The lower trail was muddy but otherwise in good shape. Slushy snow accumulations higher up created a slippery mud and slush mix. Once we got out of the woods it was step-kicking or walking in old boot tracks. Gaitors were useful but not required. We reached the snow covered summit at 7:15pm and dumped our load of extra water. It felt like it was below freezing with a light breeze. Somebody had left a bottle of Coors Light in the paper box. We hung out for a little while and headed down reaching the cars after sunset but before dark - no headlamps were needed. Actually nobody picked up any dirt, but I felt like it was a tough crowd just the same. I used trekking poles - no ice axe or crampons were needed.