Mailbox Peak

{{short description|Mountain in Washington (state), United States}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Mailbox Peak

| photo = Mailbox Peak.jpg

| photo_caption = Northwest aspect, from Mt. Teneriffe

| elevation_ft = 4841

| elevation_ref = {{cite peakbagger|2102|Mailbox Peak, Washington}}Don J. Scarmuzzi (2021), Day Hikes in Washington State: 90 Favorite Trails, Loops, and Summit Scrambles, West Margin Press, {{ISBN|9781513267289}}, p. 126

| prominence_ft = 121

| prominence_ref =

| isolation_mi = 0.42

| isolation_ref = {{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/53269|title=Mailbox Peak - 4,841' WA|website=listsofjohn.com|accessdate=2022-04-19}}

| parent_peak = Dirtybox Peak {{cite web |title=Mailbox Peak |url=https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=2102 |website=Peakbagger}}

| country = United States

| state = Washington

| region = King

| region_type = County

| range = Cascade Range

| map = Washington#USA

| map_caption = Location in Washington

| coordinates = {{coord|47.462465|N|121.63942|W|type:mountain_region:US-WA_scale:100000_source:ngs|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref =

| topo = USGS Chester Morse Lake

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route = {{YDS|1+}} hiking trail

}}

Mailbox Peak is a {{convert|4,841|ft|m|adj=mid|-elevation}} mountain located in King County of Washington state. It is set west of the crest of the Cascade Range, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mailbox Peak is situated seven miles east of North Bend, and one mile northeast above the Washington State Fire Training Academy. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River, whereas the north side drains to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie. The summit lies along a ridge containing Dirtybox Peak, its topographical parent, and Dirty Harry's Peak. Topographic relief is significant as the northwest aspect rises nearly {{convert|4,100|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} above the Middle Fork in 1.25 mile. The popular Mailbox Peak Trail gains 4,100 feet of elevation over 5.5 miles.Don J. Scarmuzzi (2021), Day Hikes in Washington State: 90 Favorite Trails, Loops, and Summit Scrambles, West Margin Press, {{ISBN|9781513267289}}, p. 126 Prior to 2014 when the new trail was completed, climbing Mailbox Peak involved 4,000 feet gain in only 2.6 miles along an unmaintained route that was used for conditioning for major climbs,Melissa Ozbek (2017), 75 Great Hikes Seattle, Avalon Publishing, {{ISBN|9781631214998}}, p. 139 and recruits from the Fire Training Academy would celebrate graduation by carrying a fire hydrant to the summit.Craig Hill, Matt Wastradowski (2020), Pacific Northwest Hiking, Avalon Publishing, {{ISBN|9781640490734}} The peak is named for a mailbox at the top which functions as the summit register, but this toponym has not been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Climate

Mailbox Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. The months May through October offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Gallery

File:Mailbox Peak, sw.jpg|Southwest aspect of Mailbox and Dirty Harry's Peak, from Mt. Washington

File:Mailbox Peak, snowy.jpg|Southwest aspect, from Cedar Butte

File:Mailbox Peak seen from Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road. Washington state.jpg|North aspect, from Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road

File:Mailbox Peak mailbox.jpg|The summit mailbox

File:Mailbox Peak, from Salal Point.jpg|Mailbox Peak, seen from Salal Point. Washington State Fire Training Academy at the foot of the mountain. Interstate 90 in lower right. Moolock Mountain in the distance to left. Dirty Harry's Peak on the right side of the ridge.

References

External links

Mailbox Peak weather forecast: [https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mailbox-Peak/forecasts/1476 MountainForecast.com]
Mailbox Peak: [https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/mailbox-peak Washington Trails Association]

{{Geographic Location 2

| Center = Mailbox Peak

| North = Middle Fork Snoqualmie River

| Northeast = Russian Butte

| East = Granite Creek

| Southeast = Dirty Harry's Peak

| South = McClellan Butte

| Southwest = Mount Washington

| West = North Bend

| Northwest = Mount Teneriffe

}}

Category:Mountains of Washington (state)