We camped in Gothic Basin Saturday night. Even though there were lots of people spending the night in the area, most were near Foggy Lake. Besides, there are so many private spots that it didn't seem crowded. This is a very stark, beautiful area. There is no flowing water now, except for the outlet of Foggy Lake. There are several tarns. Bugs were not bad this weekend. We were bothered by a few mosquitos, but no biting flies. This morning we followed good trail up the ridge just north of Gothic Basin. The views of Foggy Lake in the morning sun were fantastic. Several people were camped on this ridge. The trail takes you all the way to the north end of the lake. Distance: 11 mile RT to Foggy Lake El. Gain: 2900 ft

This was my first trip to Gothic and it was well worth the journey! My valiant little Schipperke, Kala, and I headed out a bit later than planned but found that the trail wasn’t crowded. We passed (or more accurately, were passed) by a mere handful of folks as they plodded up the steep and rocky trail. Not surprisingly, the people who carved this trail from the mountain were more interested in finding the “mother-lode” than building a nice trail with switchbacks, puncheon and drainage systems! The day was a hot and the bugs made regular stops on my arms and legs. (Thank God for Jungle Juice.) While the first part of the route is shaded, the farther up you go, the hotter and more exposed the route. Of course, with the exposure, come fabulous views. I was constantly watching Silvertip Mountain as lazy clouds cast an ever changing pattern of shadow and light across its face. Luckily, for my pooch, there were several places where water was still trickling down the mountain and offered cool refreshment. However, King Kong’s Showerbath, which is no doubt quite impressive earlier in the season, right now, would be more aptly named King Kong’s Leaky Faucet. After passing the Showerbath, the trail gets serious about climbing upward. I alternated between using my trekking poles and tossing them up the route so that I could use my hands to pull myself over the larger rocks in the trail. This is also the point where the huckleberries are ripe and available in quantity. Every water break also included a grazing session. Delicious! Just about the time I was seriously starting to wonder if Gothic Basin actually existed, the trail crested a ridge and a wonderful world of glacially carved stone, grasses and succulents greeted the eye. A pair of small tarns were off to the left, while moving toward the right led us to the lower lake that many folks mistake for Foggy Lake. Kala leapt into the water with happy abandon drinking deeply from the cool waters while I chatted with a pair of backpackers I had seen on the way up. As we talked, I quickly discovered the taste of jealousy as I realized what a phenomenal place this was. I was bummed to think that I would only get a short visit since my sleeping bag and dinner (!) were waiting for me some 30 miles away. Although Foggy Lake was only a few hundred feet up and a short distance away, I had to stop and devour my sandwich before heading on up. The taste of overly salty lunch meat, sun warmed cheddar, mustard and crumbling bread was heavenly. It has always amazed me how a really crummy sandwich can taste so good after a solid climb. With lunch disposed of, Kala and I headed up to Foggy Lake. Hopping from cairn to cairn and stepping carefully to avoid crushing the delicate plants scattered amongst the rocks, we finally arrived at the incredibly blue and clear waters of Foggy Lake. Gothic and del Campo Peaks framed the lake with a beautiful assortment of colors and patterns in the stone. Glaciers of days gone by left boulders smoothed and scarred by the motion of ice and stone. The power of nature is truly amazing. Every direction offered a wonderful view. What an inspiring place. The return trip to the car was not too bad, though it is a challenge for those of us who have knee problems. If you are traveling with a dog, I would highly recommend making sure you have extra water if you plan to make this trip later in August. The odds are good that some of the water on the route will no longer be available for consumption. Also, though it may seem silly, getting a set of boots for your canine companion’s feet might be very helpful. Kala’s feet were very sore at the end of such a long day on the rocks and in a few places the skin on his pads had been “sandpapered.” Doggie boots are going to be de rigueur for future outings. I am eager to return to Gothic– though it will definitely be a backpacking trip on the next journey.

Steep, hot; but beautiful on a sunny day. The horseflies got worse as the day progressed. I began at 6:30am, spent 90 minutes roaming around at Foggy Lake, and a few other spots, and was back to the car at 1:45pm. Only a few people in the Basin while I was there, but there must have been twenty coming up as I headed down. One muddy spot just beyond King Kong's Shower Bath, which right now, is a trickle. About 12 miles altogether. Perfect day hike to a splendid destination.

Went up on my Thursday hike with Frank again this week. We did the dreaded Gothic hike. The payoff is overwhelming. Last year was my first time up and I thought the first tarns in the basin were the infamous Foggy Lake. Though my ""guide"" Frank knew otherwise. He showed me the scramble to the right of the tarns. I am willing to bet that many first timers make this mistake. Foggy lake was a deep blue and very cold. We both took a dip after getting to the basin in a short 2 and a half hours. Bugs were out in the forest, but non-existent at the top. We saw a couple people comming down the ridge to the Southwest of Foggy Lake. Maybe next time. Frank told me, all can be seen from there so it is worth the scramble. Nax, the trail was a whole lot easier this year, being in better shape. Though I still think this is the worst ""trail"" in the Mountain Loop area. I prefer a dirt trail with switchbacks rather than this one which takes you right up the dried up stream beds and forces you to get on all fours. Treking poles are very helpful. What beautiful country up in this basin. Make this a hike-to-do if you haven't yet done it. Pictures are: Foggy Lake and the ridge I described. Trail just before Foggy Lake, carved out over a long time of snow and water.

Although I was going to head up the Mountain Loop Highway anyway, I decided to lend some ""poor man's support"" to the search and rescue of the two missing hikers on Vesper Peak. Of course, the search area itself was taped off at the Headlee Pass/Sunrise Mine road. So on I went to Gothic Basin and Del Campo Peak. As I passed the Headlee Pass road, I stopped and asked the Sheriff if they'd found the two guys that morning. They said no, to which I was quite disappointed. That's two nights missing. Not good. Anyway, there were very few cars at Barlow Pass, and I set off at about 10:45am hoping for a great summit day. I was armed with binoculars with the hopes of catching any color or movement in the Vesper Peak area that might assist with the search. The Monte Cristo road and the first bridge crossing of the South Sauk about 1 mile upriver looks to be in good shape. I love bridges. It was a glorious day on the east. Sunny and spectacular views of the Monte Cristo group as well as Sloan Peak, Mt. Pugh and Glacier Peak. However, it fogged up and became cloudy on the west. It seems like that always happens when I'm on Del Campo. Third time up the peak, fogged in from the west each time! Gothic Basin is snow free, as were the 5 major gullies on the Weden Creek trail. Foggy Lake is open and BLUE save for a thin strip of ice on its eastern edge. Saw one person coming down from a multi-day excursion in the area. The center snowfield leading up to the notch is in fine shape...soft snow. The summit seemed to form a barrier between clouds floating in from the west and sunnier skies to the east, so I could barely see Dickerman, Jumbo Peak and occasionally Big 4, but nothing in the area of Vesper Peak. The good news was that I heard helicopter noises around 11:45am and 1:30pm. Perhaps the guys were getting picked up? Or was the search continuing? As we know by now, it turned out to be VERY good news. The hikers had lost their way down Vesper Peak in the Tuesday thunder and lightning storm and didn't have a map. They were discovered on the NORTH side of Headlee Pass near Spada Lake midday. All's well that end's well, I suppose! The lesson? Climb Del Campo when there are NO CLOUDS in sight! Oh, and check weather reports and bring a map on all expeditions. Out.