Parking lot was almost full around 1 pm on a Tuesday. Started at 1:45 pm, made it to Foggy Lake in about 3 hours 15 min, including about 15 min of breaks. The timing was ideal, since the trail was largely shaded while I was on the steepest portions just below the basin entrance, but the basin and lakes were still in the sun by the time I got there. If you aren't going for a super early morning start or you're doing an overnight, I recommend waiting until afternoon for this reason.
Of the three water crossings around 3700ft, the first (northernmost) one is more like a mini waterfall and is the best for refilling bottles. Entering the basin, there are white-flagged wands with blue tape marking the trail to Foggy Lake.
Foggy Lake is not even particularly cold, and it is quite inviting after the ascent. Don't forget to bring your goggles, it's clear and deep! Only three or four other groups were camping on a weekday night. A few mosquitoes came out around dusk.
In the morning, I made the 200ft scramble up the ridge south of Gothic Peak, a small add-on which should have a view to the Olympics if the visibility is unrestricted. There is a boot path to follow that minimizes the loose rock and gravel, and poles were very helpful here (as well as for the whole trip and the descents especially).
I started down from the basin around 11 am and reached the trailhead in about 2 and a half hours. I was sweating even on the downhill due to full sun exposure, and I did not envy anyone going up around noon!
Overall this is a hard one, but it made me want to come back again. Seems like week days are the move too if you can swing one!
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