"I would definitely recommend this trip to a friend."
The trip to Gothic Basin is one of those experiences that makes hiking my favorite recreational activity. It starts out in heavy tree cover, but then opens up and provides panoramic views and tons of wild flowers on the slopes during some months. As if that isn't enough, when you reach the actual basin you are presented with a large expanse of unique rocky formations that you can spend time exploring. There are even scrambling/climbing opportunities on a nearby peak, the name of which escapes me, for those so inclined.
A sobering note, though, is that a few years ago a young woman broke through a snow bridge and died during an early summer hike to this basin. The location of her fall is a potential hazard on a yearly basis and is near the end of the trail on a river crossing that fills with snow. In the early summer, the river carves a cavity under the snow which can, if conditions are right, collapse under the weight of a hiker. The hazardous area will be fairly obvious if you are looking for it and a lingering memorial for the victim is another tipoff. One can avoid this hazard all together by avoiding this trail until all the snow is gone around mid-August.
Note: This is backcountry wilderness travel. You are responsible for informing yourself of the hazards and taking the necessary precautions.
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