2007-06-16 Mailbox Peak

4.5 mile round trip
Map offline: TBD
Map online: TerraServer USA
Trailhead coordinate: Lat: TBD, Long: TBD; Alt: 911 ft.
Elevation gain: 3,926 ft.
Max elevation: Lat: TBD, Long: TBD; Alt: 4,837 ft.
Hike time: up ↑ 2:55; break ↔ 0:10; down ↓ 1:45; Total ⇅ 4:50
Effort: Hard
Trail difficulty: Most difficult

While I've really wanted to do this hike for a long time, honestly, I've been avoiding it. But last weekend, I finally did it, along with Jason who graciously came up from Portland. This hike is a 3,926 foot elevation gain over just 2.25 miles! For the mathematically challenged, that is a 33% grade... for the entire hike! This was the most challenging hike I have ever done, hands down. That said, after all the others I've done this year, it wasn't too bad. Hooray for being in shape!

I wish I could convey the slope of this hike, but pictures don't do it justace. Just imagine that you are climbing a 2.25 mile staircase. Got it? Now imagine that there are no steps, but instead you have loose gravel, dirt, mud, rocks, and roots. That's what this is like.

Here you'll see all the real hikers preparing for the larger challenges in the area, such as Mount Rainier. In fact, I bumped into a coleage from work who was training for Mount Rainer. Most hikers here had full hiking packs. This is serious business. Looks like I made it to another league.

As is typical in Washington, here is a beutiful scene under the canopy.

Our first view from along the hike. I'll later realize that I'm looking at a housing development going in on top of a hill that overlooks I-90. That is Rattlesnake Lake in the distance.

Jason doing a slope demo.

Yes, there really is a mailbox at the top of Mailbox Peak. In fact there are two. There're both full of books, letter, and even food.

Here I am with the mailbox.

As you can see, we've climbed up into the clouds. It was really interesting that there were only clouds on one side of the mountain, the other side was completely clear. Also, Jason noticed that there was snow a good 1,000 feet below us under the clouds. Obviously there was some significant temperature variations in the area.

A view of Mount Si and Mount Tenneriffe. The former was already conquered and the later is likely my next challenge. What a welcome break a 9 mile 4,000 foot hike will be.

The GPS tells me that we're at 4,837 feet.

Jason performing another slope demo. On slopes like the one you see here, we felt like it was a break.

Here's a topo map indicating the distance and route of the hike. The creators of this trail didn't want any meandering about. This hike is the business route. Straight up the ridge line.

I hope you enjoyed looking that pictures as much as I enjoyed doing the hike. If you're reading this and you might visit me, be prepared to hike!