I hiked to Foggy Lake with my teenage son for an overnight trip.  This was a very technical hike and would definitely recommend that you hike with poles, especially if taking a backpack of gear.  The hike was lovely and fun, and very challenging in parts because of the steep steps and climbing necessary up some rocks that loomed like a wall.  It took us about 4.5 hours to get to Foggy Lake, and it took us 4 hours the next day to get down to the trail head.  We went slow because of all the steep steps.  If you do this hike, be prepared to work hard! We camped at Foggy Lake and enjoyed the views of the lake and of the mountains to the east.  Foggy Lake had wind and fog rolling in during the evening and we wore all our layers and climbed into the tent early to stay warm.  Beautiful sunrise the next day.  This hike is something to be very proud of when you finish it.  Beautiful views and it tests your strength and endurance.  

Foggy Lake is named that for a reason.  A friend of mine and I went out for a quick overnight trip and as soon as evening rolled around the fog blew in and didn't relent.  The upside was practically zero bugs and mild temperatures.  Although foggy, it is a beautiful area with tarns, streams, wildflowers and all kinds of interesting rock formations.

.... and the downside...  garbage, defacing of rock faces and a fire pit at every campsite even though fires are banned in this area!  I know this area is too popular for its own good but what is up with some people.  I have friends who can't camp without a campfire, they say it just isn't camping if you aren't burning something.  But guess what?  I don't invite them into the wilderness and if I do I tell them I will not allow campfires, especially in the alpine.

If you need to have a campfire, stay in a car campground and leave the wilderness for those of us who want to see it in all its beauty.  Besides all the campfires I also found a garbage full of empty food packages and a used gas canister.  We also found a swimsuit, shorts, dirty underwear and a belt.  I also found a place where one or more people defecated and left a whole stash of dirty paper that looked like wet wipes or Swiffer pads partially stuffed under some rocks.  I did not want to find this mess or deal with it, but I packed it all out.

If you are going out into the wilderness, please, practice Leave No Trace.  If you are going to a popular area and want to leave it better than you found it pack in a plastic garbage bag and rubber gloves so you can clean up after the people whose parents never taught them better.

Sorry for the rant.  I know 95% of the people who read, use and contribute to this site believe the same things and want nature to be preserved.  For the other 5% please do better, respect nature and your fellow campers and do not have campfires where they are not permitted and please pack out all your trash.  Please!

Timing:

• Start Time: 9:30am
• Reached Upper Basin: Noon
• Rested for around an hour.
• Returned to Vehicle: 3:30pm

We hiked relatively quickly going up.

Water:

• There are a good number of streams across the trail, including waterfalls at different points, if you want to filter water. Plenty of water to filter up top.

Camping / backpacking:

• Great area for camping + backpacking! We got there at noon on Saturday (just doing a day hike), and there were plenty of spots open all over the upper basin (main destination, the spot you hit before foggy lake).

Parking:

• We parked on the Mountain Loop Highway road before the Barlow Pass Trailhead parking and the Gothic Basin trail. Plenty of other cars parked here. We had a pass, but others didn't - I don't think it's needed when parking on the side of the road.

Berries:

• Thimbleberries on trail, especially at the very start.

Very pretty hike! We did not get a chance to linger at the upper basin, but from a prior trip I know there's an old mine tunnel that goes into the mountainside near a waterfall up at the basin. Lots to explore at the top!

I arrived at the trailhead at 7:50 a.m., and by that time, several parking spots were still available along the road and in the Barlow Pass trailhead parking lot. I was able to munch on thimbleberries while walking the flat Monte Cristo Trail before taking the turn onto the Gothic Basin Trail. Once I started gaining elevation, I found lots of huckleberries to snack on too. This hike is filled with rewards throughout the entire journey. There are lots of clear blue waterfalls and ponds, interesting rock formations and blooming wildflowers to admire. As others noted, the basin itself seems like another planet, with its orange-reddish rock. I got to Foggy Lake around 11:30 am and took a very brief swim (it was extremely cold) and enjoyed a quick lunch before I went back down. I'd love to explore this area more! Highly recommend this hike. 

Berries aplenty👍