GOTHIC BASIN
An incredibly beautiful area with lots to explore. The hike up here is super fun, but lately this place has become extremely popular. Try to go on a weekday or show up early!
Quick Facts:
Distance: 8.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2900 ft
Location: Gothic Basin Trailhead, Mountain Loop Highway, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Season: Mid Summer-Late Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or American the Beautiful Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on GoogleMaps
This trailhead is right off the Mountain Loop Highway, so any car can access it. Park in the Barlow Pass parking lot on the north side of the Mountain Loop HIghway, and then carefully cross to the south to begin the hike. This trailhead has seen a significant uptick in car breakins in the last few years, so be sure to clear your car of anything valuable before you leave for the hike.
The Mountain Loop Highway is gated during the winter due to snow, but if the gate is closed this hike should only be undertaken by those with snow travel and avalanche awareness training.
Late September 2017
A waterfall along the trail, Mid-November 2018
Mid-November 2018
Hike description:
This hike starts off with nearly 2 miles of mostly flat trail. You begin on the wide Monte Cristo trail and then take a right at a signed fork onto the Weden Creek/Gothic Basin trail. You’ll continue through the woods as the trail gains altitude at a steady rate until you reach some open slopes.
View looking back on where the trail enters the basin, Mid-November 2018
View of the basin on the way to Foggy Lake, Late September 2017
The views really start to pile on here as you can see across the valley below, and cross beneath some amazing waterfalls. Be careful with these crossings, as they can be slippery. The trail eventually turns into a bit of a fun scramble to gain the basin, but only in that you may want to use your hands as you climb up some big rocks.
Finally you’ll reach the outlet of the basin, and from here you can pick wherever looks fun to you and work your way there – there are no official trails up here. You really can’t go wrong, as every spot itself is incredibly beautiful, and the views to nearby peaks are wonderful. Spend as much time as you can up here, and make sure you pay a visit to Foggy Lake before returning down the trail.
Foggy Lake, August 2015