Mailbox Peak has become my annual warmup hike for the last few years
since my first trip up there four years ago. Last year I took the old
trail up and the new trail down (easy, but a long hike!) as I was
curious about the new trail soon after it was built. This time I took
the old trail up and down.
The trail is in good condition and no major issue overall, except a few blow downs and partially muddy sections, but nothing to worry about. The weather was overcast when I left trailhead, but passing around 4,000 ft the sun started to break in through clouds and the rest of the journey to the summit was under a beautiful blue sky and even warm. It was such a treat to feel the warm sunshine after the hard work and almost surreal looking over the sea of clouds down below from the peak.
Take in the view. The reward is a fantastic 360 panorama...Mt. Si, Bandera, Granite and other nearby peaks. On a clear day, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker and other Cascades high peaks juxtapose on the skyline. Wildflowers are not ready yet. I wonder if the drought due to low snow pack may affect them.
A couple of reminders if you take the old trail:
- Hiking poles are highly recommended. (you will regret if you don't use them....specially while you descend.) The hike is what really "steep" trail is.
- Pay attention to follow the trail markers (diamonds) on trees to find your way to the summit and back to trailhead. Those short-cutting foot prints, if you follow them instead, can be misleading, and you may end up going up or down the wrong way.
Also, note that the road to trailhead is closed on weekdays due to road work, but it's open on weekends.
5.2 miles RT
4,000 ft gain
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