This was my 20th trip up Mailbox Peak according to my log, and definitely not as easy as my first visit back in 1996 at age 55. For this outing I took the new trail for the first time, built in 2014 (per the plaque by the summit mailbox). While far less steep thanks to its many switchbacks, the new route is nearly twice as long as the old one—my tracks showed 5.17 miles up on the new trail versus 2.55 miles down on the old.
I left the new trailhead around 0800 and reached the summit at noon. For a Friday, there were a surprising number of hikers—maybe twenty total—either heading up or already enjoying the summit. A couple of Gray Jays supervised my lunch while clouds thickened overhead, gradually reducing views. To the south, only the lower snow slopes of Mount Rainier were still visible.
After photos and lunch in calm, 50‑degree weather, I started down. I picked up the old trail at the junction and followed its familiar steep descent. With so many braided paths in that section, I drifted off the main route around 3640 ft and followed a side track that eventually reconnected with the new trail just above 2600 ft. From there I used Gaia to locate a faint connector path through the woods that led me back to the old trail. Once back on track, I reached the old trailhead about two hours after leaving the summit.
Trail conditions were good overall. The new trail is well maintained, with recently fallen trees cut and cleared. A few soft snow patches lingered above 3000 ft on the NW‑facing slope, but nothing requiring traction. No special equipment needed today, though I’d recommend poles if descending the old trail due to its steepness.
Comments
I am in my late 60s, and was up there yesterday with my wife. I commented to her at the time that this particular hike/day had a lot more very fit “advanced” (cough!) hikers than I’m used to seeing out … you must have been up there with us. Thanks for providing inspiration 🙂
Also, the WTA specs don’t correctly reflect the rolling nature of the new trail compared to the old. Gaia point by point route data using snap to trail shows the new trail gaining 4458 feet on the way up (and dropping 472) in order to get there. The old trail doesn’t ever go downhill. So an out and back on the new trail is ~4900 feet of climbing vs. ~4000.
Posted by:
grubinski on Apr 11, 2026 12:45 PM
Gain I calculated is 3941' since the peak is 4841' (GT map) and the trail starts out about 900'.
Very minimal loss did I notice on the New trail or see on the map. Don't think there is any dropping of elevation on either trail. Good exercise at any age! Not familiar with WTA specs.
Posted by:
Norm on Apr 11, 2026 01:58 PM
@norm, am I reading this right? You were 55 in ‘96???
Either way, great job!
Posted by:
WanderingWashington on Apr 11, 2026 05:34 PM
Yes, 84 now!
Motto: Think young and keep moving.
Posted by:
Norm on Apr 11, 2026 06:06 PM