Mailbox Peak Solo
Yes, I am peeking in the mailbox on Mailbox Peak. lol
I had to get a joke in there before this gets serious, because this hike is seriously no joke. Although right in North Bend, WA with a paved road to the trailhead this hike starts to feel remote, and starts to test your mental and physical strength very quickly.
Here’s a preview with some 360 views.
All year access to a hike of this much elevation gain is nice. The trail loop consists of the more direct “Old Trail”, and the “New Trail” which adds a mile of distance with it’s less steep switchbacks. In November when I hiked this I opted to hike up the old trail.
The majority of the trail is a tree covered mountainside with the aged trail exposing tree roots everywhere. About 2/3rds a mile from the top the trees open into a rock field. With the trail rebuild in 2014 there must have been thousands of hours spent on organizing these large rocks into a stepable path. Trekking poles were nice for keeping balance but this was easier than the rock scramble I was expecting. For me, on this day, it was the shear elevation gain in stretches of the forested mountainside that was toughest. Some places on all fours and slipping on slick tree roots.
After a mile of trail jogging I stopped for a snack. I started up again, this time at a much slower pace. For the next 1.5 miles I think I stopped every 5 minutes since my brain was telling me I was fatigued. That darn brain!
There were occasionally people coming down the trail, most who were glad to make a little chit chat. Once I got above the treeline I started asking the others I crossed the trail with if I could do a quick photo.
Despite feeling like I was going the speed of a turtle, I did make it to the peak by sunset. The view is 360 degrees of stunning. Looking through the mailbox was fun also. Next time I will definitely bring something unique and thoughtful to leave inside.
This is a very challenging day hike. If you live in the PNW and are into hiking, this is hike is great milestone. If I have encouraged you in anyway, I hope it could be encouragement to set a goal that is a stretch, one that will motivate you to better yourself in preparation to attempt that goal.
Don't let mountains, literal or figurative, stand in the way of your journey called life.
I packed up a couple River Country Products tents to set up and do a couple photos with. I am super glad to have met the owner of the company (ultralight backpacking gear that doesn’t break the bank) and to now be helping out with creating some new imagery. I’m pretty sure there’s no camping allowed up here, but this was just to make some photos and then I packed up and headed back down.
Typically, I quite enjoy hiking out in the dark. This was no exception. All my senses feel heightened and just feel more aware. Plus it feels like a completely different experience then in the daylight. I did make it past the rock field before it was necessary to use a headlamp to see my feet. Not to much further down I caught up with the couple who was at the top when I arrived. We shared lamps, trekking poles, and conversations for a nice hike down to the cars.
Note: The parking lot is inside of a gate that gets locked around dark. So if you are going for sunset or sunrise you will want to park in the parking area outside the gate.
