As a kid I used to look forward to my yearly vacation trips to Bangalore. The idea of train journeys, food on stations (idly vade) , in trains , haggling with porters, auto wallas all used to be one experience, more on that some other time. Scenery, rising hills, crossing rivers , vast farm lands and cattle grazing peacefully was a significant element of this journey. Every time I saw these hills from the window, the mind wandered with numerous possibilities,-who lives up there?
-how do they get to the top ?
-how far could they see, even wondered how if I could jump of the train hike up the hill and see it for myself.
I did something close to what I used to wonder as a kid. Hiked up to the top of a peak off of I-90 close to Seattle called the "Mail box peak". This has been by far the toughest hike I have done, not that I am an avid hiker but sure of the opinion that one should go take a hike on a gorgeous summer Seattle day.It was an early start, we were out on the roads by 7:30 on a Saturday morning ! for directions and more details click here.It was a steep peak we gain 4000 ft in 2.5 miles. The unmaintained trail added to the challenge and we took close to 3 hours to get to the top. I should say we were a touch slow, we could hav
e done it in 2.5 hours. The hike was steep with a narrow trail, it sure tested one's endurance and mental concentration. About 2 miles of the hike displayed typical rain forest of the pacific northwest. The last .5 miles stretch is the carrot at the end of the stick, it is worth all the energy invested. Breathtaking views of the cascade range and wild flowers all along the
path make it worth while. Watch the video below for a 360 degree view from the top of mail box peak. I would suggest go out do some hiking before you take on mail box and no doubts you will enjoy it.
-how do they get to the top ?
-how far could they see, even wondered how if I could jump of the train hike up the hill and see it for myself.
I did something close to what I used to wonder as a kid. Hiked up to the top of a peak off of I-90 close to Seattle called the "Mail box peak". This has been by far the toughest hike I have done, not that I am an avid hiker but sure of the opinion that one should go take a hike on a gorgeous summer Seattle day.It was an early start, we were out on the roads by 7:30 on a Saturday morning ! for directions and more details click here.It was a steep peak we gain 4000 ft in 2.5 miles. The unmaintained trail added to the challenge and we took close to 3 hours to get to the top. I should say we were a touch slow, we could hav
e done it in 2.5 hours. The hike was steep with a narrow trail, it sure tested one's endurance and mental concentration. About 2 miles of the hike displayed typical rain forest of the pacific northwest. The last .5 miles stretch is the carrot at the end of the stick, it is worth all the energy invested. Breathtaking views of the cascade range and wild flowers all along the
path make it worth while. Watch the video below for a 360 degree view from the top of mail box peak. I would suggest go out do some hiking before you take on mail box and no doubts you will enjoy it.View Larger Map
