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.)