Mailbox Peak Hike

Somehow we've never hiked up Mailbox Peak despite driving past it dozens and dozens of times.
img_1708 The start of the hike is is nice and lush. We decided to hike up the old trail, which heads straight up, and come down the new trail, which takes it's time...
The start of the hike is is nice and lush. We decided to hike up the old trail, which heads straight up, and come down the new trail, which takes it's time…
img_1709 Lots of light and undergrowth at the lowest elevations.
Lots of light and undergrowth at the lowest elevations.
img_1710 Beginning to enter the darker, steeper portion of the uphill.
Beginning to enter the darker, steeper portion of the uphill.
img_1711 A good bit of the "trail" looked like this, or worse, as it shot it's way straight up through the roots.
A good bit of the "trail" looked like this, or worse, as it shot it's way straight up through the roots.
img_1714 Whew! We've intersected with the manicured new trail which has much a gentler slope.
Whew! We've intersected with the manicured new trail which has much a gentler slope.
img_1715 Peek-a-boo! I see you Mt. Rainier.
Peek-a-boo! I see you Mt. Rainier.
img_1718 Boom! Here's a talus field to cross.
Boom! Here's a talus field to cross.
img_1719 The trail work that's been done here to build steps is impressive. Made for a relatively easy ascent through the rocks.
The trail work that's been done here to build steps is impressive. Made for a relatively easy ascent through the rocks.
img_1720 The view south towards Rattlesnake Lake and Ledge, barely visible just right of center.
The view south towards Rattlesnake Lake and Ledge, barely visible just right of center.
img_1722 McClellan Butte is off to the right. That'll be a hike for later this year when the potentially dangerous snow bridges have melted away.
McClellan Butte is off to the right. That'll be a hike for later this year when the potentially dangerous snow bridges have melted away.
img_1723 Starting to get a sense that the top is approaching.
Starting to get a sense that the top is approaching.
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img_1725 View from the top looking east. North-facing slopes are still holding onto a little bit of snow.
View from the top looking east. North-facing slopes are still holding onto a little bit of snow.
img_1727 The eponymous mailbox atop Mailbox Peak. It was completely full of all sorts of knick-knacks.
The eponymous mailbox atop Mailbox Peak. It was completely full of all sorts of knick-knacks.
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img_1732 Lunch time at a secluded spot with a view we found after traversing down the ridgeline a bit. The summit was a bit too crowded for our taste.
Lunch time at a secluded spot with a view we found after traversing down the ridgeline a bit. The summit was a bit too crowded for our taste.
img_1739 Gavin, Kathryn, and Zilly all looking very happy to have reached the top for lunch.
Gavin, Kathryn, and Zilly all looking very happy to have reached the top for lunch.
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img_1742 The view to the north.
The view to the north.
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