Trip report by Reuben Slasor
The trail starts out on a gated dirt road for the first half-mile. It looked like a lot of people have keys to the gate considering there were two cars at the trail entrance. The start of the trail is under construction and there are lots of muddy spots and equipment laying around. Then you get to the real trail that looks like a fisherman's trail to me.
Photo: Foggy Lake and Del Campo Peak.
No need for switchbacks just a steady grade straight up. After a couple of miles you will climb above the forest and enter alpine meadows and cross three streams. There is one final climb up to a small pond at the top.
Now in Gothic Basin you are surrounded by polished rock slabs and some small groups of trees. The trail at this point is only visible from time to time as you climb over the polished rocks to Foggy Lake. I was very disappointed to find the lake 75 percent snow covered in July. This lake and the grasses were in an early-spring situation. The flowers were just beginning to emerge from the wet mossy soil.
I climbed to a peak above the small ponds hoping to find a breeze to provide some relief from the summer heat. The peak was just as hot and it took a wile to find a tree to provide some shade on the mountain peak. On the return trip the pond became a swimming hole.
On a scale of one to ten, I would give it a five. The trail is in poor shape and the half-mile of dirt road reduces its beauty. There were approximately 20 other people at the lake and I only took 36 photos.
This hike was chosen for the difficult statistics with a 3730 feet gain to the peak within four miles.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. Any trail can become very dangerous in winter conditions. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions. Please read Terms of Use.