Gothic Basin — Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024

Rating: 5 of 5 stars in the sun.  (3 of 5 stars in the fog/clouds.)
Opinion:  Gothic Basin to Foggy Lake is a difficult to very difficult hike.  Since the first 1.5 miles are flat, that means about 1000 ft gain per mile (for 3 miles).  It is steep, but doable.  A few tricky, short steep places…
It seemed harder to go down this trail because it was so steep…
Weather predicted fog, but afternoon sun, which thankfully happened.  No sun would have hampered the views and the enjoyment.  Beautiful when the fog started evaporating!  I am so glad fog to sun happened!  Breathtaking.
Bring poles.
Parking & Road Conditions:  Lots of parking on a Thursday at 9 am.  Only 2 cars.  Any car could make it!  Nice road all the way.
Snow:  None.
Bugs:  None.
Trail conditions:  Fine, but lots of boulders to climb.  Lots of mud.
There were a few places that I had to scramble up rocks.  Luckily someone drilled steps in a few rocks to get up.
Follow the white flags with the blue ribbon at the basin to get to the lake.
Bring poles.
Time:  10 hours (I’m 66), with about 45 minutes at Foggy Lake.
Views:  Nice views of Foggy Lake with Del Campo Mt reflecting in the lake.
Fall colors:  Pretty yellow leaves.