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Wind prevented me from finishing the true summit to the mailbox. The false summit had so much wind you couldn’t see a trail even with people coming down. Better safe than sorry. My friend we didn’t even complete the false summit said he couldn’t even tell it was me coming down with the snow blowing the in the wind. Lost my Batman Virtual Run hat too. Micro spikes a must. I was fine without poles but had them incase. Some people had the crampons instead of micro spikes. Muddy below snow line on the old trail. New trail had next to no mud. We went up the new trail and down the old trail. My hiking buddy took 25minutes longer than I did on decent via the old trail. Knees feel it.
reviewed Strong wind & heavy snow above the tree line...had to get back down at 4300ft. Literally with <100ft in sight range and you can't even see the trail. Will definitely go back on a sunny day.
Microspikes definitely helped, saw some people doing it without and it was slow going, especially at the end with the steep gain. if anyone lost some valuable tech on the hike we picked it up, shoot me a text at 2533120177 and identify it so we can get it back to you!
Took a walk up #mailboxpeak today. Old trail up, new trail down. Threw the chains on about 1.25 miles into the hike. Snow was sloppy over ice. Hit the boulder field and instead of switchback, there was enough snow to just go straight up. It was early so the snow was pretty solid. Crampons would have made it much easier but the microspikes still did their job. Sat there for about:30 minutes. Minimal wind and the top to myself. Slow going making my way back down to the treeline. Again, crampons would have made this easier. Took the new trail down. Old trail down kills my knees.
Incredible winter wonderland conditions at Mail Box Peak. We put on our micro spikes about 3/4ths of the way into the hike when the new trail took a steep upward cut through the trees. The conditions were perfect as we made our way up the trail and discovered the mail box almost 3 feet down from the snow level at the summit.
Relaxing
Love Bandera during the summer! Tried to check it out for a winter trip, road closed at the freeway. We chose not to park and add 3.5 miles each way to get to the trailhead. Will try again once the snow melts some more.
It was rad!!! Of course a challenge and a burn but just be prepared! Micros are a must, one dude had crampons, not a bad idea .3 from the top, but micros were fine. Poles and gaiters a must for the upper mile. Awesome locals out there and it was my first time and not the last. A great challenge in February and it was worth all the calories!
Perfect! Spikes needed and great hike overall. Bring warm gloves! 24 at top
Brutal. Trail was covered in snow about a mile up, lost the trail at 2.2 miles and had to go back, ended up following someone elses tracks straight up a chute= avalanche danger (it was snowing). Good elevation training doe
Went up the old trail. Needed spikes about 1.5 to 2 miles before the summit. Very windy at the top and stayed at the summit for only about 5 minutes. We reached the parking lot at 7am and there was plenty of parking spaces. Overall, a very beautiful hike and a good workout.
Great hike, not busy at all only saw 3 other groups. We took the new trail both ways, and had to put on our spikes at about 4.5 miles up. Very slushy in the trees, Cascade concrete with a few inches of new snow over the boulder field.
