Mailbox Peak - Old Trail — Saturday, Jun. 14, 2003

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

Up early: at the trailhead at 7:30: for some reason couldn't get out of 1st gear and crawled up the first mile to the flat area (the only one on the ascent) some water and a power bar later I felt ready to continue. There's just one way to tackle this peak - head down and just keep putting one foot in front of another. Just when I thought I'd go crazy from the lack of a view the trees opened out and there was I-90 below my feet: another 40 minutes of mixed huckleberries, bear grass and forest gets you to the peak. The Mailbox is in place -- along with a ladder(?). A quick snack and it is time to descent: which is even more fun than the ascent - at least I thought so -- a few of the wet roots at the top had me slipping and sliding. Not exactly a ""great"" hike but if you want to feel you calves burn you can't beat Mailbox. The trail varied from dry and dusty to wet and slippery -- there was mud in places. Treking poles are great (and almost essential on this hike) but I noticed a few places were they appeared to be contributing to the erosion on either side of the trail.