Left Barlow pass via bikes at 1030am, reached TH at 1040am. Trail is in good shape all the way up past the 3 gullies that you traverse. Then there are roots, rocks, boulders and other obstacles you must climb, stem, and pull your way over. There is plenty of ice onthe trail as well as some spots do not see any sunlight. Reached the basin and saw one guy camping at Weden Lake. Headed up the climbers path and goat trails to Foggy Lake and had lunch where we dropped alot of our gear, as we brought crampons and ice axes since last time I came up back in October of 2001, we only had axes and there was alot of snow and ice so we had to bail, this time we were overprepared as there is snow dusting on north faces, etc. Headed up the right side of Foggy Lake and caught the climbers trail that leads up the ramp towards the base of the scramble. Once at the base alisondid not want to boulder hop anymore and bathed in the sun as I decided to ascend what I thought was the correct gully, but i wound up going a gulley that was rock and ice with some icy 3rd class moves. I got to the notch and saw that I was unable to gain the summit from where I was so I had to downclimb the icy rock which was no fun. Once halfway down I caught some ledges that looked like they might gain the summit, but before long our turnaround time had come so we headed back down to the TH, got our bikes (nice!) and headed for home. Another day! BTW - there has been some great work done on the trail recently, with great drainage in many places www.nwog.org scott@nwog.org

From the trailhead to Foggy Lake the trail is in great shape. Somebody has done some major work on this one. We climbed Del Campo in a cloud. There was no trouble finding the trail from Foggy Lake up to the notch but there was new snow over several sections. I think in a few weeks this route will be very hard to follow. The first 20-30 feet from the notch up to the summit block struck me as being low class 5 rather than the class 3 described in Cascade Alpine Guide. There are great holds but it is exposed.

I've been wanting to do this trail for a long time, and I finally got the chance. The forecast called for clouds in the morning with clearing in the afternoon, which as it turned out was overly optimistic. The first mile is along the Monte Cristo road, which looks like it's been greatly improved since I last saw it years ago. Just before the bridge, the Gothic Basin trail heads off to the right. It climbs quite gradually, passing through a couple of rather brushy avalanche areas. Just after crossing a creek, the trail begins climbing steeply. It appears that a lot of work has been done on this section of trail, which is in great shape considering its steepness. Lots of new-looking water bars. After a mile or so of steady steep climbing, the grade lessens somewhat as the forest thins out. Unfortunately, the tread goes all to hell from here on, with lots of big rocks to clamber over and around. Still, this section is very scenic, as you cross several creeks with beautiful waterfalls just above. Too bad that I was hiking the trail at the end of a long dry summer, because the flow over the waterfalls was pretty weak. There are several nice looking campsites overlooking the valley along this section. Eventually you reach the crest and come suddenly into the basin. Very Sierra-esque, with little vegetation and lots of big rock slabs. The skies, partly sunny earlier, began clouding over more as I approached the top. By the time I got to Foggy Lake, the pass and peaks above were covered with clouds. I scrambled around the left side of the lake and up to the pass, hoping the clouds would lift, but they only got thicker. Still, a very enjoyable area to wander around. There are traces of trail here and there, but basically you just find your own way over the rocks. After lunch, I explored the other side of the lake, finding more small lakes with beautiful campsites. It would be quite a hump to get up here with a full pack, though. Next I followed Weden Creek from the Foggy Lake outlet, passing some more small picturesque lakes. Eventually the creek plunges down steeply in a series of waterfalls towards Weden Lake, far below. Like a lot of waterfalls hereabouts, the creek fell through a sort of slot canyon that defied my efforts to find a good viewpoint. After a couple of hours exploring the basin, I headed back down. Just below the top I saw the only other folks I would run into all day. The trip down was tricky, as the previous night's rain had made descending the slippery rocks difficult. The sun never did come out as promised - oh well. This is a fantastic hike. I'll return again on a nicer day, I'll be the views from above the lake are great. Total distance including off-trail ramblings was about 12 miles, with 3300' elevation gain.

Go to Foggy lake. follow the creek back down. The creek widens into a small lake in the basin then tumbles into a box canion. Hike along the box canion, then just as the creek goes over a waterfall you will be able to enter the basin. Cut back to the creek on an over grown trail to the old mine shack location then take the short cat walk to beside the waterfall whare the mine is. Good luck

Chose to hike to Gothic Basin via Weden Cr Tr. Beautiful. However, it could now be a blackened charred ruin. Almost to the top is a small tent site, I was checking out the site when I smelled smoke. At the end of the boot path on the slope I found a patch of smoking heather. The surrounding dirt was very hot the rocks underneath were to hot to touch. I emptied my water bottles on it and went back to the creek. A man and his son helped me dig it up and put it out. thank you for coming up the trail right then. People, NO FIRES, means NO FIRES!!!! After reaching my car, I reported the fire at the Darrington Ranger Station.