Day Hike - Mailbox Peak

Take Exit 34 off of I-90 and drive north on 468th Ave SE for ~0.5 mile. Turn right onto SE Middle Fork Road, continue for 2.5 miles, turn right and drive ~200 yards to the Mailbox Peak trailhead (900 ft).

Meet and assemble at main trailhead (past the gate across the road and at the sign at the trailhead) at  6:45 AM.   Brief introductions and trip review and depart by 7:00 AM sharp.

Ascend and descend via the new trail.  Trip open to all branches and eligible members.  This hike  is for developing/improving physical conditioning for glacier climbing.  Recommend  carrying a minimum of 22 lbs. but not more than 32 lbs./20% of  your body weight without submitting prior experience and details with your request to register.  This is not a hike recommended for beginners.  The pace is listed as 1.7-2.2 mph, but we will adjust to trail/snow conditions and a pace that allows conversations.  Should the weather and or trail conditions work against us, we will discuss  and agree to alternatives as a group.  Other than personal bio-breaks, we will stay together as a group within speaking distance of one another.  Our plan would be to spend no more than 15-20 min. at the  summit to take in the views, rest, and enjoy a snack, prior to descending.  This is NOT a snowshoeing trip, so per The Mountaineers standard's, should we run into snow that is beyond mid-calf/below the knee, we will turn around.