Mailbox Peak

Difficulty: Hard

Distance: 2.5 miles one way
Discovery Pass Required

Yup, there really is a mailbox at the peak of this hike. But, let me fore warn you now, this hike is not for the weak of heart. Do not even attempt this hike if you are not in great shape and an experienced hiker. Don't let me scare you off though: it will challenge you from the second you step onto the trail, but the payoff is totally worth it if you are in shape enough to make it to the top.

When you first get to the trail head there is a big sign warning you to be careful and watch for the white diamond trail markers. There have been 9 search and rescue missions this year alone from people loosing their way back down the mountain. The trail is in such dense forest that is very easy to loose track of where you are if you don't know where you are going, but if you pay attention to the markers you will be fine (I mean, we made it up and down just fine ;o) 

From the first steps of this hike you know you are venturing on a whole new game. It is a relentless climb of 4040 feet in only 2.5 miles. It took us 2 hours to make this climb, and we were passing people the whole way up. I am wondering if most have to stop to take a breather multiple times. We have a friend that is an avid hiker (we are talking the entire Pacific Crest trail in 4 1/2 months) and his best time making it up this baby is 75 minutes.

About halfway up people start writing messages on the diamond trail markers. It's quite entertaining to read them and helps to keep your mind off of how tired your quads are getting!

You know you are finally at your destination when you see the mailbox. What kind of mail would be in there you ask? Well, you will have to hike up there to see.

Directions: From Seattle take I-90 East past downtown North Bend to Exit 34. Turn left at the Stop. In 0.6 mile turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road (#56). After a mile or so, you will come to a fork and the road will split. It doesn't matter whether you go left or right because both ways converge after a quarter mile. 2.5 miles from the beginning of SE Middle Fork Road, there is an unmarked parking space on the left side of the road (right after gravel road starts). Across the street is a blue metal service gate. Start your walk past that and about 1/4 mile up the service road you will see the trail head on your left, and the warning sign I told you about.