Mailbox Peak

Its ok., just bring enough water with you and something to snack on at once you get to the top.
Ignore my other review, I hopped on the wrong Unilocal account.

Fantastic conditioning hike. Used the new trail because it appeared far less steep than the old trail. This was a major decision factor since I hadn’t done a serious hike since St Helen’s on Memorial Day. So what kind of shape am I in and how can you use this review to help you decide to go here or not? Although I’m 63, my knees and ACL’s are in good shape thanks to regular workouts at the gym. My hips, however, sing all the way up and down again. Steep trail or not, they’re a constant reminder that I’m not 30. Age may increase the number of breaks I take on the way up, but it does not keep me off the trails or from elevation.
Mailbox Peak gets a 4 star rating from me due to the absence of views along the way. A veteran of Mcgloughlin (Mt Pitt) and Thielsen hikes, with spectacularly sweeping panoramic views and St Helen’s with her vast slopes, MP only offers a full 360 once you reach the very tippy-​top. There is a breakout view or two along the way, which are seemingly hem-​haw in comparison, but that’s it. Unless you consider the endless miles through a canopy of second growth fir an adventure, carry a heavier than normal pack and use MP to train for more breathtaking treks. PS: My RT was 7−½ hours. 4−½ up, 3 down. (Like I said, I’m not 30.)

Loved this hike. Might have to make it an annual tradition! Having not trained or really done much to prepare for this hike, we set off unsure of what we’d find. Fortunately the paths are clearly defined, free of debris, and well maintained. After a late start I was a little concerned about making it down by dark. After some confusion driving in the residential area near the park, we finally set off on the trail at around 12:20pm.
The parking situation can be a bit tricky and there isn’t a box to grab a day pass from and slip money into so make sure to pay and bring your discover pass with you! Once you’re on the trail it’s a slow steady incline the whole way with some plateaus between inclines. There are only a few cutouts where it would be suitable to stop and snack on a busy day so plan on maybe snacking before the final push (where the new trail meets the old trail) and then a full refuel once you’re at the top.
Don’t underestimate how long it will take going down! Just because it’s downhill doesn’t make it easier on your knees and having to brace yourself for that impact can be challenging! Just when I thought I could see cars in parking lot, there was still about an hour to go — so prepare yourself! It also gets dark about 1.5 hours before sunset when you’re under all that thick tree coverage. Made it down just before dark at the start of the trailhead. I loved it, though! It felt great to accomplish the feat without too much difficulty. Next time I’d like to do the old trail in the snow!

Old trail up. New trail down. All under 4 hours. Would I do it again? Probably not. Why? The reward of seeing a mailbox doesn’t outweigh the gruel. at least for me… (I’m a waterfall and glacier lake kinda gal — lol) and the new trail, while it saves the knees, doubles the distance and feels way too damn long.
The only reason I checked this badboy off my «bucketlist» for hikes was because a friend came into town and said he wanted something similar to the Grouse Grind in Vancouver, BC… and this was the closest that came to mind… albiet over double the length to the Grind. We are both very active and in good shape (this is my 38^th hike of the year), and this proved to be a good workout for sure– more mentally than physically at times though.
Trail-​wise, hiking up the old trail wasn’t as bad as I had feared — it was a little hard to navigate at times and I can see how people could get lost out there — thankfully, there are some fun trail markers to help direct you on the way up and lighten the mood a bit, but from what I can tell, it only faces one way so going back down can be kind of tricky… especially if its getting dark.
The new trail is very well maintained and could be a great mountain bike path — but like I said, its just very very long… there are no trail distance markers to help cheer you on, and neither the old nor new trail is very scenic… So… while definitely a good workout, I’d personally save the time/​energy for something like Lake Blanca, Rainier, Pilchuck or Colchuck. but that’s just me :).

Ascending the old trail nearly did me in last fall (and I was in good shape after hiking at Rainier all summer). Descending the new trail was incredibly discouraging due to its length. Having said that, I bagged Mailbox and I’m proud of it.
Not for the faint of heart.

It feels so good to be able to say that I conquered Mailbox Peak, the OLD trail. It is definitely one of the toughest hikes ever. Extremely steep, challenging and mentally draining.
The new trail is longer (9.4 miles round trip) but not as steep and well maintained.
I started hiking about 2 months ago and everyone keeps asking me «Have you done Mailbox Peak?» or «Is it harder than Mailbox Peak?» Everyone talks about how strenuous it was so that psyched me out. I initially wasn’t planning on doing this hike till towards the end of summer when I was more fit. Out of the blue a friend and I had decided to conquer it so we can finally say that we did it.
Difficulty: Hard
Round trip: 5.4 miles
Elevation gain: 4000ft
Time: About 3.5 hours up, 2.5 hours down. (4000ft elevation gain over 2.7 miles is no joke, I still consider myself a novice hiker so I’m very slow!)
Not kid friendly. Pet friendly.
Drive: About a 45 minute drive from Seattle. Exit 34 off I-​90. Easy and straight forward drive. No potholes of any kind.
Parking: Two parking areas. Lower lot has a small parking area and parking on the side of the street. I did not pay attention to the upper parking lot but the gate closes at 7 pm so make sure you get back in time. We arrived around 9:30 am and there were already about 15 cars parked in the lower lot.
Trail: From the lower parking lot, you will pass the new trail first. The old trail is just right ahead. We past by a group of hikers training for Mount Rainier. One of them stated that it was «scary steep» and for us to be extra careful. Great, just what we needed.
The trail starts off in the sheltering forest and continues so for about ²⁄₃ of the way. The path starts off with some switchbacks. I immediately wondered if I had taken the right trail. However, the not so many switchbacks in the beginning then fades out and the trail is immediately taken over with a moderate to severe grade incline of tree roots. All you see for a while are trees, dirt and roots. No defined trail anywhere, you are stepping over roots and roots. I actually didn’t mind the roots that much because it gave us something to grab onto. The trees added great shade from the scorching sun. There are white diamond shape markers that are posted against the trees to direct you on the right path. Even with that, we got lost about 3 times, adding about 20 – 30 minutes onto our time.
After what seems like forever, exiting the forest, the old trail then merges with the new trail. You will then hike parallel to the rocky terrain. From my understanding, there was no pathway parallel to the rocks back then. I was told I had to scramble to get to the top of the rocks. I guess they build a new, less dangerous pathway. It is still very steep.
After reaching the top of the rocks, you have another ½ mile or so left. You will then see a false summit. This part is not shaded. This was the hardest part of the hike because it was so steep and there are lots of loose rocks. It was also mentally draining because you think you have reached the summit only to see that you have to keep going for a little bit more.
Once I saw the mailbox, it was the best feeling because I had accomplished one of the hardest hikes (or maybe even the hardest hike) in the area!
View: There is a nice view of Mount Rainier and of the nearby Valleys. However, even though there is a panoramic view, it is not as nice as I thought it would be. I was disappointing to have gone through that brutal trek for an «okay» view. I have gone on easier and more accessible hikes with much nicer views. They have recently replaced the mailbox.
Crowds: I came on a Sunday morning. We arrived at the summit around 2 pm and there were about 15 people there. When going down, we past by about 40 – 50 people.
Bugs: Lots of bugs! Bring bug spray.
*Discover pass required*

I did it. That’s all I can say in the end.
Old trail up, new trail down because I’m young and I don’t plan on knee replacements until I’m 60.
Hiking history? Basically, I’m a novice. This is the third/​fourth solid hike I’ve ever done in the Seattle region and my progression goes like this:
— Rattlesnake Ledge + Twin Falls (one day, double header)
— Lake-​22
— BAM LET’S JUST DO THIS.
However, I don’t advise this hike for those who aren’t somewhat fit.
I expected a dirt path inclined all the way up so I was actually surprised to see all the tree roots that served like stepping stones to the summit. To me, it was just 2.6 miles of pure Stairclimbers or treadmilling on a step incline. Either way, this was actually a PLEASANT surprise.
Tips:
— PACE YOURSELF. It’s long. Enjoy the intermittent 2 feet of flat terrain you get every 20 minutes.
— Expect false peaks and immediately thinking, «what the eff am I doing? WHY. WHY. WHY.»
— Bring glucose and water. PACK SOMETHING YOU ENJOY EATING. It just makes such a strenuous hike more enjoyable. I do not like granola bars — I brought pickle spears.
— Enjoy yourself. We all knew it was going to be hard so just be confident you can do it because you can! Stop when needed. Push yourself a bit harder. And just keep going.
If you’re hiking with someone, bring some fun stories.
If you’re hiking alone, bring some Podcasts.
Something to just take your mind off the burn and keep time going by.
And when you get to the top, sign the mailbox, take the pictures, but ultimately, take some time to yourself and be proud of what you just accomplished (:
New trail: First of all, thank you to all the WTA volunteers who made this trail! It’s a beautiful route down but also very long with many switchbacks. This can be irksome if you plan on jogging down.

Mailbox is one of those hikes where halfway through you begin question your sanity and try to find someone to blame for dragging you up this steep peak. If you think you are in shape you will question your abilities and swear that you will start running stairs two days a week. You will begin to wonder if a freakin’ mailbox is really worth that quad burn. Answer: it’s not but the view is.
We hiked Mailbox before the new trail was in place. The old trail is straight up and a wonderful mental challenge. The crowd was thin and we lucked out with a beautiful clear day. Boy does that view stretch on for miles. Beware of the false peaks, the top is much further away than you think! The last stretch is very exposed and when you finally set eyes on that darn Mailbox you will forget how much your legs hurt for just a second.
If you come down the old trail, good boots are a must for solid footing. Other tips: bring water, watch for the trail markers, pack a nice lunch: it will taste so, so good at the top.

Not for the weak. Tough to the top. The new trial is muddy and never ending. Defiantly challenging! Great views… above the clouds!

Needs more waterfalls.
But seriously, a really good hike, we did longer but easier new trail on Sunday May 3^rd, and it was in great condition and very impressive trail. There were only a few sections of mud and barely worth mentioning. I’m not a regular hiker by any means, and found the trail to be fairly easy, the final stretch up tot he top (maybe .5 mile) is tiring, but the end is in sight so it is exciting. Just bring a few snacks and plenty of water. Also, bring something to put in the mailbox, and take something from the mailbox, like a Rainier! Don’t forget your discovery pass, and if you don’t have one you can pick one up at the Chevron off I90 in North Bend.
4 stars because it was kinda crowded, and, needs more waterfalls. We went up on a perfectly clear day, 67 degrees at the top, and will be back when there are some low clouds, because it would be really cool to see the view above them.

Mailbox Peak is BRUTAL. Don’t get me wrong — I love hiking… But the WTA explains that this place is 9.5 miles round trip… After using my walk tracker after the hike, it displayed that I had walked almost 14 miles. That’s a bit further than what I signed up for. The trail is pretty much a straight incline. It’s kind of rough along the way and once you get to the top, it gets HARD. There are plenty of places for somebody to break an ankle, especially when you’re making your way to the base of the peak. There’s a lot of thick, protruding tree roots that make it hard to move. The top of the peak itself is lacking in space, and people like to sit RIGHT in front of the Mailbox and eat instead of sitting somewhere else and letting people read what’s inside/​take pictures. Definitely make sure that you’ll have enough daylight, because it’s scary when it’s dark. My group started at 12 and we didn’t get out until almost 7. This was with minimal breaks and a very quick lunch at the top. The view was beautiful. No complaints there at all. Just be sure to give yourself lots of time and be prepared. Don’t go off of what the WTA says!

We normally hike mailbox 5 to 7 times a year, this time, we took our Daughters with us, age 6 and 4 amazingly enough, they were ahead of us most of the time and did fantastic, they made it to the top and back like if it was a walk in the park!
Old Trail was definitely the most challenging, especially for their little legs, but that didn’t seem to be the issue for them at all and they were really excited to get to the mailbox, wondering what they will find inside. Our older Daughter was entertaining herself by counting almost all diamond markers and kept looking for mushroom, while the younger one was singing a made up songs all the way.
Climbing the boulder field ALL the way to the top was the most exciting part for My 6 year old Daughter.
Going down, we decided to use the new trail with long switchbacks, even though the old trail is more popular, still. I’ll highly recommend you use new trail going down, your knees will thank you later.
The new trail is in very good condition, with two bridges and nice rock steps over the streams, my kids loved it and ran and played all the way down, overall they had a great day.
Plenty of water and hiking shoes and be ready for an intense workout and a day long adventure, and you’re set.

NO PAIN, NO GLORY
This was NOT easy and many don’t attempt or they attempt and sometimes not make it all the way up. It was brutal and painful but worth it all. Mind you, 4000 ft up is equivalent to 4 Sears towers (if I’ve done my math correctly). It is known to be the toughest mountain in PNW. Go hard or go home; the reward is one if the beautifulest eye-​gasms I’ve had. Breath taking!
Tips: hiking shoes, water, and start early.
MY STORY
On a whim with no preparation but a few snacks, one water bottle, Nike shoes, and an iPhone with no reception. What was I thinking? The incline was insane; going up was easier than going down. Felt never ending and all you see are trees trees trees with no sense of direction. The path fades as you get higher up the mountain. FOLLOW THE WHITE DIAMONDS ON THE TREES. After hours of incline and hours of starring at trees, the forest starts to finally open up. You get excited assuming you are near the top. LIES!!! The incline just continues through scrubs and under the scolding sun. At this point you are ²⁄₃ up the mountain. THEN you see the hundreds of rocks on the side of the peak. There is a trail close by (find it) but it will take longer to get up. You have an option to risk getting hurt and climb the rocks to get to the top of the peak faster or take the trail. I thought that was the only option I had after already hiking for HOURS but it’s not. The rocks were scary, it felt as if they were going to crumble down. At this point, there is NO SHADE. Many people get to this point and quit. The mountain is intimidating feeling as if it will never end. After you have climbed the rocks maybe about ¼ a mile to get to the peak. The trail up is steep and very thin, hiking shoes would have been nice. Once at the top will be THE MAILBOX! I literally almost gave up 100 ft from the mailbox. Touching that nasty mailbox was like gold. All that to touch a damn mailbox. Once there, the view was something else. I love the PNW, it’s gorgeous in the summer. Here’s the real struggle!!! DOWNHILL. The incline is so steep, going down a couple hours with your toes smashing against the tip of your shoe was so uncomfortable. On top of that, I left my bottle water at the peak. We had no water for hours heading down. We started to get dehydrated and desperately rushed to a creek to get water. Overall, we survived after not knowing what we were getting into. First and likely my last visit to Mailbox!
Love it but done and done.

Other than pain, agony, and regret, here are some helpful tips:
1. Go on a weekend. Mailbox peak is currently closed for construction on the weekdays, you can only hike between Friday noon to Monday noon. If you go around Friday 12−4pm, the construction workers will lead you down the road towards the Mailbox trail parking lot and you can simply take the first right.
2. Navigate yourself to SE Middle Fork Road (and the intersection of LK Dorothy Road) to get to the trail.
3. Trailhead hides behind the warning sign. DO NOT CROSS THE BRIDGE. I walked over the bridge and wasted an hour walking through too many spider webs.
4. When hiking, follow the white diagonal signs nailed on the trees. I think you start to lose sanity and try to trailblaze directly up rather than to follow the curvy trails and it helps to check the white signs to know that you are hiking in the right direction.
5. The mailbox is a popular destination for flies. LOTS OF THEM. Bug repellent would be pleasant but not necessary.
6. I had the biggest blister on my toes after the hike. Wear thick, happy, supportive socks.
Good luck and don’t give up!

Glad I checked this hike off of my bucket list — I doubt I’ll ever be back to visit the mailbox again unless I got a tip about a large sum of money hidden inside.
Are you looking for a killer workout with killer views at the top to match? This is your hike. I had not anticipated whatsoever how difficult the climb would be (perhaps we were a bit fatigued by doing a long hike and half marathon on the days immediately prior to this hike) but still. It’s tough.
I would figure about 99% of each step you take will be a steep incline, with about 10 heavenly steps on flat ground interspersed between your climb. Most of the way, you will also be in the woods, amongst the peaceful tall trees. Once you pop out of the woods, you’ll be able to spot your goal at the peak… another 30 minutes or so climb up.
I liked that this hike didn’t take up the whole day — we were able to complete it up and down with some chill time at the top in under 4 ½ hours.
This genius at the top brought his Alite chair — smart idea since there’s not really any comfy place to rest your tired legs. If there ever was a next time, I’d bring mine.
Definitely a great one to check out and within reasonable driving distance from Seattle.

Picture this being the only mailbox in the world and that you desperately need to mail a love letter to reach the love of you life. Or that you’re stranded and the mailbox is the only way to send an S.O.S. Or, just maybe, a pot of gold could possible be waiting for you inside that mailbox. This is the thinking that helped me survive Mailbox Peak.
This trail was not as easy as I thought it would be. Which makes me hate and love it at the same time. We thought we were super prepared by doing our research, estimating trip time, and even… renting trekking poles?! This trail is difficult and incredibly steep. The poles ended up being a huge annoyance and hindrance, especially on the way down. Our pace was probably cut in half on the way down because of them.
However, the difficulty of this trail also makes it extremely fun! I had a great time trying to conquer this trail and got to tap in to my inner animal spirit climbing the boulder trail before reaching the summit. Honestly, after a shot of Fireball at the top we didn’t even care about the mailbox. But the 360 view is definitely worth the trek.

Where do I even begin?
My boyfriend and I have only hiked Poo Poo Point & Rattlesnake Ridge so we are by all means, not «experienced» hikers. We’re both pretty regular gym goers so we’re not strangers to exercise but we definitely didn’t know how difficult this would actually be.
Got off exit 34, took a few turns and ended up at a 4 way stop. Turned to the left — even though there are plenty of signs that warned us that the road was «closed», and eventually found the lower parking off to the right & left. A LOT of gravel in this section. If you turn to the right and go up the hill there is even more parking which we would probably choose if we were to hike this again. We paid $ 11.50 for a day discovery pass purchased on my smart phone (& then scribbled onto paper and put into the dashboard) which you have to have to park in this area or else you will get a ticket (as the car parked behind us did).
We brought two back packs to split up the weight of our water & lunch — YES BRING FOOD!
Starting the hike you walk up the road for what the WTG says is «0.4 mi» and then begin the actual hike at the entrance to the left. The hike is 95% UPHILL. Lots of roots & branches for the beginning 75% of the hike and the later 25% involves dirt and rocks. I savored the moments where there were semi-​flat plateaus as long as I could. Took many 10 – 20 second breaks. We made it to the top in 2 hours but we were going pretty fast apparently. I panted, sweated, and internally cried the entire way up. Even when you think you’re about half way, you’re not. When you begin to see light near the top and you think you’re almost there, you’re really not. When you reach the first rock area, you still have a while to go. The hardest part of the hike for me was towards the very top where there are many rocks and the path is extremely steep.
It was reassuring to see people traveling back down or traveling up so we knew we were not alone! The people we passed by were really friendly. I noticed that many hikers had brought the hiking poles which would have definitely come in handy.
The top was a bit foggy when we made it to the top (around 11:40am). The view was nice though as some of the clouds began to part before we made our way back down. It was fun to look inside the mailbox to see what previous visitors had left. It added a fun touch rather than just climbing up top for the view alone.
Going down took us about 1 hour and 40 minutes. We decided too off trail at times and slide down the softer earth. You’re constantly looking out for rocks, roots, dirt, trees, other hikers, etc… so it definitely took longer than I had thought it would. Knees and toes will hurt if you’re not traveling down with your feet sideways vs. traveling forward (as my boyfriend found out).
So all in all this was a hard but such a physically and mentally rewarding hike. If you’re up for a challenge I urge you to try it!

Before setting foot on this trail, the idea of reaching a mailbox at the top of the hike seemed like a fun, quirky, cool gimmick to entice me to hike to the top. So I decided to do this hike yesterday.
After the hike, this mailbox became more than just a mailbox. It was like finding One-​Eyed Willy’s pirates booty, only better.
Joking aside, by the time I got to the mailbox, I looked at that mailbox and did not even give crap. All I could think about was, «Damn, I actually made it to the top, and did not quit, cry, or faint from exhaustion.» The 360 view of the world is what I was more in awe of when I reached the summit.
Here is my advice and two cents without giving you a step by step, minute by minute of the hike, I don’t want to spoil the hike for you :{)
— This hike, more than once, will test you mentally and physically. I swear I had a come to Jesus moment, twice, and I am an Atheist!
— Do it. Don’t be discouraged on how difficult this hike can be. I saw several folks in their 50’s, maybe 60’s doing this hike. This hike is rewarding, mentally and physically.
— The hike is difficult. Everyone’s take on the word difficult is subjective, but whether you are a newbie or an expert in hiking trails, this one hurts no matter how prepared you think you may be. (I have hiked quite a few trails around the PNW and this one takes the cake, for now. I thought my legs would be in top shape being an avid cyclist and having ran in several races and one full marathon– this hike will still test your legs)
— Be prepared. Bring at least 32 oz of water. Bring energizing snacks: protein bars, fruit, PB&J sandwich. You. Will. NEED. Food & Water! Don’t be a fool and think you are superman/​woman. This is not a stroll in the park, as everyone has already mentioned.
— Take your breaks. Give your muscles a chance to rest while you hydrate and refuel your body to continue the hike.
— Bring some hiking poles. If you don’t have any hiking poles, grab a stick someone may have left at the foot of the trail. These will come in handy on your way down.
— The hike down is just as brutal. Your legs will feel like jello. You will think you will need knee surgery halfway down.
— Don’t quit. Don’t quit. Don’t quit. Several slower folks I passed on the way up, I never saw again on the way back down. Made me sad.
— LEAVE NO TRACE BEHIND. This should go without saying. Take your trash with you. There was one guy who dropped his water bottle cap on his way down and didn’t even bother to pick it up. This guy had two machetes, posing at the top of the peak, trying to look bad-​ass. If you read this, you are dumb. Who brings two machetes on a hike in the PNW? If you are man enough to bring two machetes, you should be man enough to pick up your trash.

Difficulty– 6/​6, Views– 4/​6, Shade– 6/​6, Dog Friendly– 2/​6, Time 4 – 5 hours
During the summer I hike almost weekly. That being said, this was a difficult hike even for me. However the most difficult park for me was the boredom, all of the wooded switchbacks with zero view make this a zero frill trail until you reach the top. I was grateful for the coolness of the shade as we hiked up, but I really would have enjoyed a bit of a view while we hiked up.
The view at the top was nice, not the best view considering the work from the hike. Other less difficult trails offer a far better view: Sahale Arm, Glacier Peak, or even Chain Lakes trail to name just a few.
Bring plenty of water and protein high snacks. Do not linger on the trail, step off to the side to take your breaks… they will be needed!
If you choose to bring your dog, keep your dog on a leash. Your dog will also need breaks. This is not a dog friendly trail. The people of the trail will love your dog I am sure, but it will be hard on your dog. There is mud, a large patch of rocks to climb over and zero places for your pet to find water. Once you are past the tree line, there is zero shade to the last peak, Mailbox Peak. About 40 mins of intense straight up hiking/​climbing.
As expected, there are some serious (intense) hikers on this trail, many training for Rainier or other mountain climbing adventures. Not the nicest of people, give them room, allow them to quickly pass and they should remain calm.
Good Luck!

«Not for the faint of heart.» That is an understatement if I have ever heard one. When I made the decision to move to the Pacific Northwest, I was very excited about a many number if things. I was most excited to get my hike on, Mother Nature blessed the PNW! I picked up a copy of the WTA Guide to the Pacific Northwest, that book became quickly worn, from the amount of late nights I spent fondling it’s bewitching pages. At a point in my reading, my heart skipped a beat. When I recovered, I again read the description of Mailbox Peak; «This trail offers nothing for you but pain and heartbreak.» I was simply smitten. «Oh Mailbox, you will be mine!», my heart declared.
As I could find no willing partner to take on Mailbox Peak with me, I set off on my own. That first journey was a long, lonely and soul searching one. It was just me and Mother Nature in all of her glory. Larger than life trees, tiny snails, huge slugs, moss, tree roots, rocks. Blood. My hair was quickly wet with dew, my lungs full of clean, fresh air, my muscles burning with each step. During my ascent, I pondered many a thing. What is the meaning of my life? Am I really making a difference in this world? Am I on the right path? No, really, am I on the right path?! Don’t expect a clearly marked trail, that is not something you will find.
I eventually emerged from a canopy of trees and the light shined upon me. Nothing more glorious than the heat of the sun on my face after being covered in darkness for so long. After climbing for what seemed an eternity, I knew I must be nearing the top. The trail pressed on, as did I. When I felt my body could go no further, I saw her, the top of her peak! I climbed her hard, unyielding steps, one foot by one tired, aching foot, in front of another.
When I met my Glory at the top of the mountain, Mother Nature and that dirty little mailbox were not the only ones witness. There was a very serious man propped up, ever so casual reading a book. «Pardon me, excuse me sir, I hate to bother you, but, um, can you take my photo?» One doesn’t simply hike Mailbox Peak, one must obtain their proof of hike photo. The trophy. I want mine. I. Earned. It. Mr. Cranky Pants Hiker begrudgingly snapped my photo, a prize it was not.
A year later, still troubled by my sad, little, hideous trophy, I was talked into going up the trail again. This time I decided to go up prepared; with high heels, a pretty dress, wine… and a photographer. As we had our photo shoot, complete with umbrellas and flashy things, hikers sat around befuddled by our goings on. I just stood there and smiled in my high heels made of wood, balancing on little sharp stones and rocks, my calf burning from the tear I obtained on the last, horrifying section up. This. This is what it feels like to be a supermodel.
I love you Mailbox Peak, until we never meet again.
xoxo