Mailbox: Exploratory hike

This Mailbox Peak route offered paths that were much like old logging roads.

This was my "get acquainted"  Mailbox Peak hike. I have put off trying it for a long time because of its reputation for difficulty. And I went today instead of tomorrow, because rain was forecast for tomorrow. Today the sky was clear. I left my raincoat in the car and relied on a down vest over other garments to stay warm. I followed the new, easier route, not the historic one. For as much of the new route that I followed, it was almost like an old logging road, and there were plenty of old growth stumps along the trail. I was told by a hiker that the final slog can be scary because of the proximity to steep slopes beside the trail. I guess I'll find out when I get there whether my discomfort with heights prevents me from reaching the top.

I relied on Washington Trails Association to find the trailhead. There are two parking lots. The upper one requires a Discover Pass and is closed at night. It has a nice bathroom.

The upper parking lot at Mailbox Peak hike

The trail map at the trailhead kiosk

WTA says the highest point is 4,822 feet, and the gain is 4,000 feet. My GPS Status phone app showed the trailhead at  252 meters (826 feet), which is within 1% accuracy (presuming I was at the right location when I used my app.) That's pretty impressive.

Map My Hike image: The green box indicates the start of my descent; the red box, the trailhead.

I reached a maximum elevation of 765 meters by my GPS Status program, or 2,509 feet. A woman I passed on the trail gave the elevation as 2,400 feet (roughly); Map My Hike said it was 2,461 feet. I will settle for 2,422 feet, for and claim an elevation gain of 1,600 feet.

Map My Hike software says I covered 2.4 miles, about what the woman told me on the trail. I figure my speed at 1.6 mph ascending and 2.3 mph or greater descending. I was packing a 15-pound backpack.

Before I get to the statistics, what follows immediately are photos I took along the trail. Captions have been provided when appropriate.

The first of many waterfalls. The trail is wet with runoff.

A bend in the trail

A successful tree still draws nourishment from a nurse log.

Statistics for the day:
Distance: 5 miles 
Conditions: Cool, clear skies, chill at elevation
Load: 15 pounds 
Elevation gain: 1,600 feet

Statistics, year to date:
Distance: 90.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 26,690 feet, 2,132 feet until my second Rainier.