Gothic Basin
Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
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A day well spent checking out this pristine alpine basin in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This hike makes you work for the views though. A root and rock filled trail heads nearly straight up to reach the basin. But after that, it's time for wandering and making your own exploration (my favorite way)! Enjoyed stumbling across all of the usual, fantastic suspects: tarns, streams, alpine lakes, meadows, ridgelines, and breathtaking peaks. Views like these never get old!
To reach Gothic Basin start by heading out the Mountain Loop Highway from Granite Falls, about a 2 hour drive from Seattle. At Barlow Pass, you'll hike out on the Monte Cristo trail to then link up with the Gothic Basin trail. From there you'll have to work for it up a largely forested trail with plenty of elevation gain, roots, and rocks to make the hike tedious and a bit time consuming. Once you climb above tree line you're nearly there! Your effort will deliver you to a wide open basin...that's where the official trail ends and the fun begins!
Once in the basin, you'll notice boot paths fanning out in many directions. Simply follow them to explore! Or choose to make your own route. Since this is a highly frequented area, I tried to stay on existing boot path or other durable surfaces, such as rocks, as much as possible. The initial basin area was full of beautiful tarns. Exploring further up a rocky ramp led me to Foggy Lake.
Once in the basin, you'll notice boot paths fanning out in many directions. Simply follow them to explore! Or choose to make your own route. Since this is a highly frequented area, I tried to stay on existing boot path or other durable surfaces, such as rocks, as much as possible. The initial basin area was full of beautiful tarns. Exploring further up a rocky ramp led me to Foggy Lake.
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From Foggy Lake I spotted a path up a ridgeline, roughly 500 feet elevated above the lake and basin. I figured the view from up there had to be good, so I headed up! I was right...the views were fantastic looking down into the basin and across the various peaks on the horizon. I hung out for awhile soaking it in before heading back down and slogging my way back out on the trail. For the more adventurous, with climbing experience, you can also tackle Gothic Peak, Del Campo Peak, and Foggy Pass which are all nearby in the basin.
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