Finding Magic on Pine and Cedar Lakes Trail

"It's extra magical today," says the trail runner coming down just as I was heading up. This is one of the only times I was out hiking only because I wanted to get a workout in, so I didn't have magic on my mind. The weather was crappy, therefore I bagged my grand plans of finally crossing Hidden Lake Lookout off the list and "settled" for this hike with the intentions of trying to keep in shape and seeing if I could do it somewhat fast. 

I sort of figured anyone out on this drizzly day probably had the same aim...especially a trail runner. But her positive declaration shifted my mindset. I stopped thinking about speed and how this day was a down grade and instead tried to put my magical glasses on too. And then I saw that she was 100% right. May all your trails be just as enchanting.

"The day I decided that my life was magical, there was suddenly magic all around me." Marabeth Quin

Thank you, Pine...

And Cedar Lakes!

And here's all you need to know about the hike in two pictures. First time I've used an app to track me like this...I swear I was not drunk hiking! Maybe they always turn out looking this crazed? I guess I'll find out next time I try it. 

screen shot of trail before

Post hike screen shot; though ignore that mileage...it's supposed to be only a 5 mile up and back! I guess if you hike like a spaz you add a couple miles? Ha ha, I never trust apps when it comes to mileage.

I Think My Suffering Tank Has a Leak

I know I said in my last post that my suffering tank was full - but it didn't even last a week! My friend, Janet, texted me saying she was going to finish up the section of the Timberline we missed (story ) with our other friend, Dani, who was doing the whole thing. "You won't even need to take Friday off...I know you're tempted," she enticed. 

Though hanging with two of the best people ever would not have been suffering, and it looked to be a perfect weekend; so obviously I was in! Except I couldn't get the Monday off, and so then I was out. WAAAAA!!!

Of course, now that I was all amped to hike, I had to find something else to do. So what did I pick? Just the hardest day hike I could possibly think of. BRING ON THE SUFFERING!

Mailbox Peak is one of those hikes you have to do, even though you don't want to. It's a right of passage if you are a hiker in Washington. I've dreaded it for years, but now was the time. With over 300 miles put in this year, I knew it's probably the best my legs were ever going to be. 

When I was only maybe 500 feet from the summit, a young man coming down looked at me and exclaimed with extreme sincerity, "I am so proud of you!" It took me a little off guard...I mean, what the hell, do I look like a need a walker or something? Ha ha, but he was so genuinely impressed and sweet, I couldn't take offence. And I suppose there wasn't a whole lot of other 50 year olds on the trail that day; so hell yeah, I'm proud of me too. Though I wished I would have replied back, "South Sister was harder."

A few hopefully helpful things below for anyone looking to check Mailbox Peak off their list. Happy "pretty impressive for an old lady" trails. 

THINGS TO KNOW:

1) There are actually two ways to get to the top- the old "legendary" way, and the new and improved way. The old way is a straight up through the woods, no thrills, get er' done push. You will gain 4K elevation in just 2.7 miles, so it's no joke. The newer trail is twice as long, but is really pleasant and doesn't try to kill you. I chose to go up the hard way and go down the "easy" way; which IMO is a pretty solid plan. Together they make a 7.7 day, which took me a good 7 hours - slower than I anticipated, even without a walker. ;)

2) Don't forget to bring something to put in the mailbox, and take something out. That's the best part! I am really hoping someone will take my book and then get back to me about how much they loved it. :)

whoever wrote this - you are amazing

3) October is the time to do this hike! Even though this is a really popular hike, it wasn't crowded at all...probably because everyone is out looking for larches. And though you won't find them here, there is still some really nice fall color. 

4) The lower lot fills up before the upper lot; probably because people assume the upper is already full. Go on to the upper lot - there is a nice turn around if it is full. I found at least half the spots still open at 8 am.

5) Don't get confused by the maps in the lots - both trails start at the same place from the upper lot. The "Mailbox Peak Road" shown is the first part of the trail. Go up the "road", passing the sign for the new trail until you come to the old trail. You can't miss it, unless you go down to the real road thinking that's where the trail starts.(Like the two gals who were starting at the same time as me. I tried to tell them...though they still caught me within an hour.)  

Suffering Tank Gets Filled at Home Lake

Another 6 miles gained on the PNT towards my 500 goal, though I had to hike 24 to earn them. Sometimes I seriously have to ask what the heck is wrong with me. Why do I crave suffering? Though I know I'm not alone. When my friend, Dani, messaged me about this trip I answered, "Such a beautiful weekend! But DAMN it was cold. Tent was totally frozen this morning" to which she responded, "Damn!! I miss the trails!!!" with a sad face...as if freezing your ass off is the best time ever. 

Though, look at these pictures. This kind of scenery pulls us like a magnant. Except, I know it's more than that. The Appalachian Trail lacked views most the time; and even though that made me grumpy, I kept on hiking - loving and hating it all the while. Maybe us hikers have some weird trauma bond with nature?

But I can tell you one thing, there is little else that will get me up at 4 am. Second time in two weeks I was up at that hour to get on trail. Marmot Pass to Home Lake has been on my list for awhile, though I was really hoping to make it a leisurely three day excursion with friends. But this last beautiful weekend just before the season closes sealed the deal - I had to go solo and get er' done in two days. 

So, 436.7 down, 63.3 more to go. I told myself I was going to squeeze in Devil's Dome Loop (or I should say half of it) this coming weekend if the weather was nice (which it will be) but I just don't have it in me. I won't say this last trip broke me...but I will say it filled my "I need suffering" tank - for now. Happy "know when to say when" trails. Trip details below if interested, as always.

Day 1: Caught the first ferry at Edmonds and was hiking by 8:30 am. The forest road here is grade A - I think they must have recently did road work because there was maybe one pot hole.The trail itself is grade A too, though you gain 3K getting up to the pass, so it's a steady grind. (I did the Big Quilcene trail to get to the pass, though I've heard going in by way of the Dungeness is easier.) Then it's down down to Boulder Shelter (no shelter that I could find though) and relatively flat for awhile. But that last mile...ugh. I was STRUGGLING with the incline and had my head phones on because it helps me. I only saw one trail runner after Marmot Pass, and it was getting late, so I gave up on the idea that anyone would come up behind me. So Brad scared the absolute shit out of me. We were the only ones at the lake, so he came over when I was settled to say hi and ask if I would heat his water, being as he doesn't carry a stove. It was so frigid, so I didn't blame him for not wanting to eat his meal cold like he usually did. When he left he warned me he'd be gone before I left because he was getting up real early. I said I was getting up early too, to which he replied, "No, like I'll be out of here before first light"...as if nobody else knows how to get up at that hour. I tried not to gloat when I passed his camp in the morning while he was still packing up...but I might have just a tinge. ;) This day was 11.6 miles total. 

Day 2: Total miles for this day was 12.4. Like I mentioned, I was hiking by 5:30 am. I'm not a headlight hiker, but it needed to be done because I couldn't be this close to Constance Pass and not do the extra half mile to the top. I was wearing EVERYTHING I had, but that wind up top...BURRRR. I could see the outline of ridges, but not much else, though I was certainly not waiting for sunrise. I didn't take off even one layer until 11:00 am, and even with gloves my hands did not warm up until that time. I think I was off trail at 1:45? I BOMBED down that forest road to get to Quilcene because I was STARVING, and even thought I'm trying to be dry this month I could not resist a beer to go with my patty melt and it was so amazing. They even gave me a free sample for Sammy, which is why Quilbilly's is the best.

Always have to take a picture here ;)