Mailbox Peak New Trail

*Disclaimer this article is in regards to the newly built trail.* For the old trail, head to Hike Mailbox Peak. 

Just off of exit 34, Mailbox Peak offers a birds-eye view of the surrounding area. This hike begins at a mere 800 ft. above sea level and by the time you are done you are nearly touching the 5000 ft elevation. The elevation gain starts in the parking lot and it only gets steeper the higher you go up. 

You begin the hike on the northwest face of the mountain and continue on that side under the cover of forest until you finally reach the last stretch of the hike. There are few views on the way up until you reach the talus fields in the last quarter mile of this adventure. When in the talus field beware, your hiking poles will not agree with the various rocks here. 

Once at the top you have a 360º degree view of the surrounding area. Mt. Rainier is visible to the south and Mt. Baker, and Glacier Peak are both visible to the north while you have Chester Morse Lake, Rattlesnake Lake, and the Olympics to the west weather pending. 

All around this is an incredible hike and its popularity shows it.