Not so much anymore. Here it is July and I've only been up Mailbox twice. Instead of checking the mail every week I've been going other places. Better places.

Like Rampart Ridge.

It won't ever be Mailbox. I don't think I could love and hate it the way I do Mailbox. Certainly there won't ever be as many people or it will perish.

It also doesn't require the crazy effort Mailbox does and it's not open all year round. When the snows come (and please let them come this year) it becomes all but unreachable due to the long unplowed road approach.

When it is open it's a wonder to behold. I'll take the easy climb instead of the hard and the spectacular views in place of the mind-numbing trudge through the woods. And when the snows come back I'll return to Mailbox like I always do.

But I'll be thinking of Rampart Ridge.