Mailbox Peak via west ridge trail
Started out at the trailhead at 8:50 AM, short walk through the
logging road then onto the trail (muddy) which wastes no time making
elevation. Soon I was into snow, there were only two tracks ahead of
me. There is little in the way of views for much of the hike, but the
snow made it pretty and peaceful. I met up with the two hikers ahead
of me as we were breaking out of the trees, at this point snow shoes
became necessary.
This is where it got beautiful. Trudging up the left side of the talus
slope was a workout, and after that the final ascent was the best
experience of my week, wind-formed cornices to the left, a fair
drop-off to I-90 on the right (one of my water bottles slid off the
side, darn!), the trees had blown snow caked onto their windward
sides, and the cloud cover kept me from seeing I-90.
After a signing the Dr Suess's book in the mailbox at the top at the
top, we made quick time back, slipping, sliding, and making good use
of trees and ski poles. We made it to our cars at 2:30.
USGS quad:
Chester Morse Lake
In:
Middle Fork Snoqualmie Drainage, South Fork Snoqualmie Drainage
Copyright © 2024 Gabriel Deal.