8/27/2005 Sat. Overcast in the morning.
~15 Km RT / 900 m gain to the basin.
The first 1.7 miles is completely flat on Monte Criso Rd, along Sauk River. Then the grade picks up. After 2 miles or so, the trail leaves the zigzag in the forest and you encounter the first waterfalls (a trickle now). From here on, the trail becomes rocky and not as steep, but sometimes up and down. Gothic Basin is ideal for camping, surrounding by rocky peaks that can shelter the wind, a couple of tarns to supply water.
A further half mile / 200 ft up to the right (northeast) over a low ridge leads to the beautiful foggy lake. More camp sites.If you are not tired yet, it's possible to climb up the STEEP hill on the south side. On top of that ridge, you can see Rainier and Olympics. We came down directly to the basin. It was quite dangerous. So steep that most of the time I had all my limbs on the stones. My pants ended up with purple blueberry stain. Yes, lots of blueberries.
