Lower Mailbox Peak Trailhead

Mailbox Peak is a rite of passage for local hikers, offering a grueling climb with a quirky reward: a mailbox at the summit filled with trinkets and notes from fellow adventurers [10, 17]. The tradition began in 1960 when Carl Heine, a postman and director at a nearby summer camp, placed a mailbox at the top for campers to sign a register [11, 16, 17]. The original trail, now known as the Old Trail, is a steep, direct route gaining approximately 4,000 feet in roughly 2.5 miles [12, 17]. Due to its challenging nature and resulting erosion, a new, longer trail was constructed and opened in 2014 [11, 17]. The New Trail is approximately 9.4 miles roundtrip and features switchbacks to ease the ascent, though it remains a strenuous hike [11]. Both trails converge near the summit for the final push to the mailbox [16]. Regardless of the route chosen, hikers are treated to panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Rainier on clear days [10, 12]. The peak is a popular destination, so arriving early is recommended to secure parking [9, 12]. A Discover Pass is required for parking at the trailhead [5, 6, 12].