Gothic Basin, Mt. Baker National Forest-Snoqualmie Trip Report
November 2, 2002
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John Munyan
126 Review(s) to Date
John is an avid hiker, spending a goodly portion of his time up in the hills, or sitting in front of a computer.
Either way, most of what finds his eye is green, or blue, - organic, or lcd. John likes this website, hopes you do too, and invites you to write a review of a couple hikes you've done!
zzzlyle
24 Review(s) to Date
I live in Federal Way, WA and I enjoy getting out into the great outdoors and hiking and would someday like to make it to the top of Mt. Rainier. When I can't get outside, I'm the IS manager at a marketing firm in Kent.
Directions: From Seattle take I-5 North to Exit 194. Follow Highway 2 East for 2.3 miles, stay in left lane, go to Lake Stevens Highway 204 East, in 2.2 miles take left (north) on Highway 9 to Lake Stevens, in 1.7 miles take right (east) on Highway 92 to Granite Falls, in 8.4 miles turn left (north) to Mountain Loop Highway, follow the Highway to milepost 30.5. Park at Barlow Point trailhead or on the right side of the road. Proceed by foot for 1 mile to the Monte Cristo Road. Weden Creek trailhead is before bridge.
Trail Notes: Geologists or rock lovers will love this one. The Gothic Basin area is a mixture of conglomerates, granite, limestone, and sandstone. Plus, surrounding ponds and lakes are just lovely. Ok, the way starts on the old Monte Cristo road which has been gated for years. In one mile, just before you would cross Sauk river, turn right onto the actual trail.
This tail starts off relatively easy for the first 30 minutes. After that there is a series of pretty steep switchbacks on pretty good trail. Finally, the way enters more open country and levels. Before long, you will reach a series of three creek crossings in slot gorges. This area is very dangerous when snow is present and may not be clear until August in some years. Summer 1999: a young woman died when a snow bridge gave away under her feet. Here are your first major views.
The next section is in brush and the trail is rather rough and rocky. Eventually, King Kongs Showerbath is reached. Pass Consolidated Mine and continue climbing steeply via a very rocky section of trail. In some spots, you need to use your hands to climb. Finally, the way enters heather terrain for a half mile before reaching the crest of the ridge and entrance to Gothic Basin (5000 ft; 4.0 miles). I was just amazed at the contrast between the basin and rest of the trail terrain. The way goes a bit more to a small pond and a campsite. To reach Foggy Lake, climb up the buttress above the pond and find the outlet stream. Follow the stream to 5300-foot Foggy Lake (4.75 miles). The peak on your left is Gothic Peak and the right is Del Campo Peak.
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This trail will kick your butt
Reviewed By: Jake Linder on Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 11:45:24 AM
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The rumors are true.
This trail will wallop even the best in shape person.
if you plan on this madness, make sure your pack is light and do yourself a favor. Sleep at foggy lake.
Don't be stupid like our group and climb the peak with 40lbs of gear. although it may sound like a good idea, sleeping on the ridge, it was cold, wet and the decent was down right scarey.
The Weden creek trail is more difficult to decend, espically when you're loaded down with quartz crystals, your pack and about 10lbs of rainwater. The views are breathtaking, the trail is madness. If you like pain and the outdoors, then this place is for you! :)
oh yeah, and there are nice quartz crystals at the top of the ridge to the left of foggy lake. remember, camp at lake, scramble without pack!
summer 2007
Reviewed By: Anonymous on Saturday, June 14, 2008 @ 11:25:35 AM
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my boyrfriend, one of our friends, and i went on this hike by mistake in a midnight hike. we were going for monte cristo but the bridge to cross the river was washed out.
im glad we took the wrong trail. i mean it was very difficult for me bu t it was beautiful up there. even in the dark =D
gothic basin
Reviewed By: clay on Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 10:25:50 AM
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An incredible hike!!! Not easy. Get to the trail head w/ at least 10 hours of daylight if you plan on hiking down the same day.
The rewards are worth it; lakes. waterfalls, views. I captured the pic of a lifetime of my dog. People tell me all the time that it looks like a postcard.
Beautiful
Reviewed By: Rabarkowitz on Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ 10:10:13 AM
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Nov 17, 2007, wonderful cool light rain day for a hike. It is a short 1.5 mile hike from Barlow Pass down the Monte Cristo trail to the TH. Look for a large wooden pedestrian bridge that is on the West side of the trail. This takes you to the TH. Previos reports cover the trail. We made it to 3400 feet and began to see snow. By 3600, snow was all over but the trail was well marked. When we cleared the trees at 3800 feet, snow was about 5 inches and slushy, making for pretty slick movement. The trail at this point was not visible. If we had crampons and ice axe, finishing should have been a gimme, but without it the descent would be dicey in places. Even to this point (about king kong's shower), it is still very enjoyable. 6.5 miles r/t and 1600ft gain by GPS. I would encourage others to bring crampons and an axe for the rest of the season.
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