Sometimes I wonder why I do things. Like why I choose to put myself through the torture of climbing 4000 ft in only 2.5 miles. If you do the math, that’s a whole lotta climb for not a lotta distance.
I successfully hiked solo, and by that I mean I actually felt solo this time. It was the perfect balance of people to where I felt safe, yet went multiple spans of time where I was all by myself.
If there is one thing I learned on this hike, it’s that people talk to you much more when you’re solo. Aside from the “hiker must” of saying hello, I had a couple people help me with direction, and even a group of guys trying to “holler” at me. Yeah…no.
Without the side conversations I would not have know to look for these white triangles while climbing through the forest. Oops, I missed that part when I skipped past the trail entrance notes.
Where’s Waldo…can you see the marker?
I have to say being alone in the woods was quite exhilarating. Despite my heart pounding out of my chest, and the sweat dripping from places I didn’t know possible this climb was amazing.
Once I found my way out of the woods (seriously it was total brain work) a nice Scottish gentleman & I crossed paths. He informed me I could continue on the trail path, or Billy goat my way on the rocks.
OK so he didn’t put it that way, but close. Guess which way I chose?
The rocks! I had some practice on this hike, so it was a no brainier.
The rocks gave a fantastic view of Mount Rainier, the neighboring hills, and some bodies of water. I was overwhelmed by all the beauty.
I managed to make it to the top in just under two hours. I sat, I stared, I ate, I rejoiced, and relished my accomplishment. Toughest climb yet.
What exactly is the highlight of this climb? There is a mailbox that someone brought to the top a while back (hence the name) and it’s caused this climb to be on many peoples bucket list. Myself included.
Check. Add another highlight to the book.
Post hike I wanted to eat all the things. Specifically all the carbs. So that’s just what I did. The Veggie Grill has a new sandwich and OMG.
Of course no hike would be complete without restoring my sugar levels. It’s all a matter of science. So I found my way to Whole Foods.
Shut up and take my money.
I’m extremely indecisive with baked goods, so mini treats are ideal.
Best date I’ve had in a while…with myself.
Q: What would be your first choice for a solo activity?
Blissfulbritt 
61 thoughts on “Mailbox Peak”
pickyrunner
I love that mailbox! Solo dates are the best. Mine would be a long walk on the beach, maybe some paddleboarding, and copious amounts of pizza and ice cream. Oh wait, this sounds like my summers for the past 5 years. Man, I go on some good dates by myself… who needs a guy to have such epic adventures? 😉
Brittany
I couldn’t agree more with your ending statement. Bahaha
#singleforlife #butnotreally #oneday #justnottoday #thisisgettingoutofcontrol
miq
“#justnottoday” bahahaha….hahaha. I’m still chuckling. Also, why don’t I live near a whole foods so I can get mini desserts and eat a variety in one sitting. I just have to get the regular sized ones and I still eat a variety in one sitting…er…um…I share? (not really, I don’t actually share).
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Amazing views. Those rocks look rather treacherous though. Billy goat indeed! 4000 ft in 2.5 miles?? Feel the burn!
kathy @ vodka and soda
oh, definitely a hike. if we had these gorgeous mountains around, i’d def hit them up errday! you are so lucky and i swear, if ever i’m on the west coast, don’t be surprised to find me at your door with a hiking pack, a smile on my face and the only thing i’ll say is: hi! it’s me, kathy. ready for our hike??
Brittany
Please make this happen, like…STAT. I might be naked when you show up, it’s been a common theme for me lately so just be prepared.
runyourmuttoff
My first choice for a solo date is probably happy hour, somewhere with a view. I love to sit, read a good book, and enjoy a glass of wine. My second choice would be a solo run, but I do that all the time so it’s no so much ‘date’ material 😉
PS. Awesome photos from your hike!!
Life After Swimming
Holy crap that sign would be enough to scare me away! hahaha You are amazing!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Wow – that is a tough climb. Worth it for that view though.
Missy
What was in the mailbox??
That hike seems like a killer, I would have to pull myself up by grabbing the trees. It seems more like mountain climbing than hiking!
Brittany
Fantastic question!! People leave all kinds of random things. Bottles of wine, beer, note pads, trinkets, anything really!
miq
Who carries bottles of wine up a climb like that? On that note, who carries a mailbox up a climb like that?
Rach @ This Italian Family
This is so cool! I love that you did the mailbox peak hike! Way to go, girl! And of course you chose billy-goating it up the rocks. 😉
Katherine
I saw the mailbox on insta and loved it! I’m not going to lie, I’ve added this climb to my always increasing in size bucket list! I haven’t quite figured out WHY we climb mountains and crave the challenge and what not, but I do know that I could handle climbing a mountain everyday for the rest of my life. There’s some feeling of self accomplishment and awe as you finish the climb! Your climbs have me craving the mountains xx
Brittany
Whenever you make it this way to conquer this beast you let me know!! I’ll be right there with you doing it again!
Matt @ Runner Savvy
Solo activity = running 🙂
Aja
That is awesome. Why is there a mailbox up there? It’s cool but incredibly random.
Brittany
Super random!! Someone just brought it up there one day I guess? HA.
Ellie
Solo activity for me would be running a workout. However when I am doing my easy runs, I enjoy all the company I can get!
brickhousechick
Wow Brittany, how exhilarating! You must feel so good about accomplishing this. Gorgeous views too. 🙂
Nicole Marie Story
Holy heck. Even though my tomorrow is jam packed with clients, you’ve moved me to take my girl for a divine run through the woods. Thank you:) G$ thanks you, too:) xo
Brittany
I couldn’t love this comment anymore. Enjoy your run, it sounds fantastic! ❤
Luv What You Do
That does sound exhilarating!
I always run solo so I’m used to it. I think I’d like to do more solo yoga!
rika@vm
I would love to take this challenge and climb 4000 ft; congratulations Britt making the amazing climb! That is one gorgeous view of Mt Rainier…such a beauty! There’s a neat mountain in the city centre of Bogota (capital of Colombia) and it rises 10k ft above the sea level. I saw walkers & runners climbing all the way up and they look like they are going to pass out 😦 I miss Veggie Grill right now (I’m eating pizza, pasta, and bread all the time here in Torino) – what does the new sandwich have? I’m excited to try their new offerings! 🙂 Ahh friessss.
Brittany
Oh my, that mountain in Bogota sounds amazing!!
This Veggie Grill sandwich was their new B.T.L.A, a twist on the traditional BLT. It has smokey tempeh bacon, sliced tomatoes, avocado,
cilantro pesto tossed arugula, aioli mayo, all on grilled sourdough. It was quite a treat I tell ya!!
Leah Loughran
Whoa, this hike looks amazing! Beautiful views. I love hiking solo, it gives you such nice time to just think, y’know?
An Unrefined Vegan
I’m starting to suspect the TRUE motivation for these hikes is the goodies you eat afterwards ;-)! Thanks for sharing such beautiful mountains with those of us in the flatlands.
Brittany
You know me all too well….
Mellie Dee
love that the hike had a little memento up there! super cute!! I wonder if people put a note for the next person in the mailbox. that would be cute. 😛
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Lucie Elizabeth (@CollectingLight)
Oh my lord Brittany! One of my life goals is fast becoming climbing up those mountains with you!
http://www.journeysthroughmeadows.com
B
I miss going for hikes. Maybe it’s something I need to get back into.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Holy steepness Batman!! I like the way you hike and the way you refuel.
I got a sandwich from the farmers market on Friday, and it made me think of you. It was on this thick multigrain bread covered in sesame seeds and stuffed with lettuce, black beans, chipotle in adobo sauce, roasted yams (sweet potatoes) and tomatoes. Sweet and spicy all in one sandwich.
Brittany
That sandwich sounds like absolute perfection.
The Vegan 8
Seriously, Brittany, I am so impressed by you. You are just bad a$$! I am sitting here with my eyes bulging out of my face looking at those mountains. I would be totally petrified. So amazing, you are!!! Also, I am super jealous of the vegan treats you have at your Whole Foods…they do NOT have those at mine…they have a couple of cookie options but absolutely NO cupcakes and that is the one thing I want!!
Brittany
I seriously feel so sad for your Whole Foods. They are SLACKING!!
Choc Chip Uru
You deserve mega treats, not just mini treats, for all your awesome hiking 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
katalysthealth
Heck ya for Billy goatin’ it up that thing!! 🙂 That’s the way I would’ve taken too, although the fact that snacks might be hidden in there somewhere would’ve given me the freaks. I was rock climbing with my daddy once and almost put my hand smack dab on a rattlesnake. To this day I always hear “check where you put your hand first Kate!”
The Zen Kat
I need some of those mini treats! Also the rock adventure on your treck sounds fun!
apartmentwife
oh gosh, that mailbox is awesome – did you put anything inside?? and holllllllla 😉
Brittany
I had a flower with me all ready to place inside…and then I forgot. HA!
Christina Does It All
Eeeee What a fun adventure! I am determined to adventure with you one of these days!!!
Kayse
Oh my goodness… What a GORGEOUS place to hike! I’m proud of you for going alone…. I like to hike alone, but always, I am super aware of my surroundings, and the people I see. Is it the same for you?!
Brittany
Oh yes, we MUST be aware when alone. Sometimes I’m too alert and looking around like a crazy person. HA!
Kayse
That usually what happens to me. You really just never know who or what is out there!
Aussa Lorens
That sounds– and looks– incredible! I would have died in the woods though. I did NOT see the white triangle. Seriously, so dead right now.
sincerelylily
Ok so when I visit, we need to do a hike please. I can’t visit you and not hike. And then can we consume food like this. I looooove that you went the route with the rocks! Totally bada$$ (<– I had to write it that way because I don't like swearing but felt the word was necessary). I love this mailbox……. probably b/c I love mail and pen paling so much !
I loooooove getting crafty solo – making cards, creating things….. hours fly by!
Brittany
Is this even a question!?! I’ve already looked into some you might enjoy!! You get to pick what you wanna hike cause WE ARE CLIMBING GIRRRRLL!
Your love for getting crafty just confirms your need to have your own business!
Amalia
What a great adventure! I’m loving your hiking photos and your dates by yourself. It’s awesome. It inspires me to go tackle some harder climbs on my own.
Ashley
I would LOVE to hike solo but I’m still scared to try it! I just need to find a trail that has a good balance of people and then I’ll be set. Also, if I could have those vegan desserts afterwards it would be the perfect day!
Since I’m single and live alone and I’m miles away from all the people I really connect with, I’ve learned to love doing things on my own. But I really love solo road trips — as long as they aren’t more than like 2 or 3 hours long! I just love jamming out to my favorite songs without worrying about what people are thinking about me.
Alex
EXTREME EXTREME LIKE!!!!!!!!!! When I first saw you post about this hike on IG, I was like, “Man I can’t wait to read the blog post about this adventure!!!” Umm it exceeded my expectations, HOLY FUN!!!!!!!!! But seriously….we have to do this together one day. AND eat at that delicious restaurant! It’s now officially on my hiking list 😀
GiGi Eats Celebrities
PS: hiking in LA is NOTHING like hiking in your neck of the woods. It’s like comparing a Great Dane to a Chihuahua… LMFAO!!!
And my favorite solo activity.. Uhhhhhhhhhhhh shitting? LOL! However I totally bring my phone with me, so I guess I am not TOTALLY solo! AHHH HA HA H AHA HA H AHAH !
Brittany
Excellent analogy my love! And we all know how I am about shitting…..I bring my phone, sometimes to use as a light. You know what I mean by this. And only you know.
Melanie
What an absolutely gorgeous, insanely beautiful hike! You definitely live in an amazing place AND you are HARDCORE! I’m so impressed you tackled that difficult hike ALL BY YOURSELF. Woo hoo. I love that mailbox too. So fun. Oh, and all of your treats looks amazing. They were definitely well deserved. 😉
Amy
Sweets. They’re why I exercise. 😉 (No, really. You know that by now.) SO proud of you for tackling such an intense hike all by yourself!! That much elevation change in 2.5 miles? Girl, you are SO ready to come down here and hike around Lake Tahoe with me. We’ll stay in the middle of the woods at my parents’ new cabin — it’ll be a blast!! (And I actually did play Where’s Waldo with your picture. It only took me 5 seconds — woohoo!)
P
That mailbox is too awesome! And ending the day with WF treats and Veggie Grill eats? Just perfect 😀
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seanbidd
Did you leave anything with the mailbox?
Brittany
I did not! I almost did my second time around (I hiked it twice in less than one month which was enough for the year,) but the moldy burrito and bottle of wine took up most of the space!! I will return and leave something fun next time for sure. 🙂
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