Mailbox Peak is a serious hike. The 1st time I tried it, I only made it 2/3 of the way up. Climbing steeply for nearly the entire way, its quick switchbacks, thigh-burning incline, and rock and tree root steps make it a tricky and challenging trek. I have never seen another trail with this sign at the beginning.
Yes, that muddy slope of twisty tree roots is part of the trail above! Cedar would run ahead and then look down to see if Justus and I were going to make it.
Justus’ glasses kept fogging up, so he put them in his pocket. They didn’t stay there though. Kind hikers behind us found them and put them up where we would find them again. Can we have those spectacles back, Mr. Tree?
After trudging up through the trees, it was nice to step out into the sunshine. There were some clouds, but for the Northwest, the views were pretty great!
Next came a snowy stretch with steps kicked in by all the climbers before us. Some people chose to scramble up the rock slope. We took the snow steps up and the rocks down. The picture of the snowy trail was taken from the top looking down. Where it disappears is just where it was vertical so couldn’t be seen from this angle.
Looking up, we could see we still had a ways to go and it felt like we were scaling the side of a cliff it was so unrelentingly steep.
Once we could see the mailbox we charged for it, but unfortunately that was farther than our legs could carry us at that speed after the long climb and we had to slow back down to a trudge for the last 50 feet or so. We signed the mailbox (the notebook inside was sodden) and ate our lunch on the summit, soaking in the sun, the views, and the camaraderie of all the satisfied climbers around us. Adventure Dog tried to bum extra lunch from them.
What a hike!
Amazing! I admire you, woman!
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like such a climb! I love the views. Wonder if I'll make it up there someday. I can't wait until you post your Rainier climb next!! :)
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