Mailbox Peak- New Trail
Mileage- 11.6 miles Elevation Gain- 4061 ft
Location- North Bend, WA
Discover Pass needed.
Current Weather
Directions
12/31/2019 Mailbox Peak- New Trail
I decided I needed to end the year by pushing myself and completing a very difficult challenge. Mailbox peak is a difficult "uphill" battle the entire way, gaining 3884 feet in elevation, and of course the weather did not cooperate so it was raining and very windy.
I decided to do the new trail only because I hadn't hiked since Veteran's Day, and let me tell you what that one is very intense. Since it was cloudy there were no real views but it was still beautiful in a PNW way. The new trail is very double the mileage compared to the old but the old is a much more intense uphill battle.
There wasn't much snow this day not until you get to the boulder fields. Which there are two so don't be tricked by the one thinking you are almost done then you come out of the trees and pow there's another.
This is a trail that you should come prepared, pay attention to the weather reports and bring appropriate gear. I saw several people that were an accident waiting to happen. I hope everyone I saw that day made it down safe and sound.
The gates get closed at a certain time so please if you park in the upper parking lot make sure to check the time that these close or just park in the lower parking lot. The new trail is about 11.4 miles total verses the old being 4.5 miles and the loop being 7.8 miles. Many people do the loop starting with the old trail up and the new trail down.
The trail is well kept even with some of the downed trees, you can tell someone tends to it pretty regularly. Again I can't emphasize enough to come prepared and over compensate for your safety or even a fellow hikers. I loved how fellow hikers would give a report to others on the trail of the conditions ahead, while the conditions being reported were not pleasant and some even reported to be quite dangerous, I trucked on.
I will do Mailbox Peak again and I will do the loop. I think a summer or late spring try this time.
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