Mailbox Peak
Date: November 9, 2012
Difficulty: 9 out of 10
Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 4,000 feet
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Location: Near North Bend, Washington
Users Group: Hikers & Dogs Only
Permits: Discovery Pass
Trail Conditions: Dry
Hiking With: Me and my dog Macho

It’s hard to find friends on a Friday to hike the steep Mailbox Peak, so I was solo today with my wonder dog Macho. The last time I was up at the Mailbox was five months ago and between hikes the State of Washington started on a new easier trail. Due to numerous people getting lost or beyond their skill set, there have been numerous rescues. There is also a new large asphalt parking lot with trailhead toilets.

When I first started this hike back in 2002, there was only a toothbrush that was hanging from a tree that marked the trail. The small gravel parking lot would only have two to three cars at the most. You could always count on Mailbox Peak to be free of the casual hikers that congest the neighboring Mt. Si peak. I am worried that this new easier trail will attract those casual hikers and the Mailbox becomes the next Mt. Si.

Macho and I made it up in good time, 1 ½ hours up…it might be my best time yet. The trail was dry to damp to a little frozen on top.