Mailbox Peak, Mailbox Peak - Old Trail — Thursday, Apr. 9, 2026

I helped another volunteer log out the new trail on Mailbox Peak today.

We both do volunteer work with WTA, but this work party was organized directly with the WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR), who is the land manager for the Mailbox Peak trail. I've done similar work parties volunteering for the Forest Service too. This year, both agencies can use all the help they can get, due the sheer number of trees down and trail damage from the December storms.

We climbed up the old trail until the junction with the new trail. We cut some small trees off the old trail as we went up, but there is still one large blowdown with a large root ball sitting on the trail, at about 1700', coordinates 47.462025, -121.665894. It was too big of a project for us to do safely today with only two people. You can take the steeper shortcut trail on the uphill side to get around this one.

We hiked down the new trail, logging out as we went. I am happy to report that the new trail is now completely clear of blowdowns. The worst one was mentioned by other trip reporters, totally blocking a switchback. There's a small bit of tread damage, but you probably won't notice it now that the tree is gone.  :)

Lots of friendly folks on the trail today enjoying the beautiful spring weather.