Foggy Lake via Gothic Basin

Drive the Mountain Loop Highway to Barlow Pass and park at the pass using your Northwest Forest Pass. (In early or late season, be aware of snow conditions at the pass and, more importantly, along the trail up to Gothic Basin.)

From Barlow Pass, start hiking south past the trail gate and in the direction of the old abandoned mining town, Monte Cristo.

After about one mile of easy hiking along this virtually flat and wide trail, take a right onto the Weeden Creek trail, which gradually navigates through the old-growth forests for about a mile or two and then starts gaining elevation with steep switchbacks. Once you reach the steep switchbacks, the hike becomes rather strenuous and remains that way for the remainder of the hike to the end basin.

Continue to hike up the steep trail and eventually cross several waterfalls. In the last mile or two before reaching the basin, the trail may require you to navigate around several trees ("blowdowns") and do some easy climbing and navigating over rocky sections of the trail.

In total, the hike to Gothic Basin is approximately 4.5 miles (one way) with over 2800 feet of elevation gain from Barlow Pass.

Upon reaching Gothic Basin itself, continue past the first few alpine tarns and eventually reach beautiful Foggy Lake, tucked between Del Campo Peak and Gothic Peak.

There are many great camp sites on the South side of Foggy Lake, as well as on the ridge closer to the base of Gothic Peak.

If you like to fish, Foggy Lake is a great place to try your luck, assuming it is not too early or late in the season when the lake is snow covered.

If you have the skill, required gear, and knowledge of the correct routes, one can scramble to the summits of Del Campo Peak and/or Gothic Peak, both of which can be reached from the lake and both provide stunning views of the surrounding Cascade peaks.