experiencing nature snobbery

After parking and situating your NW Forest Pass in the windshield... you begin the flat and deceiving 2 miles to the Weeden Creek Trailhead up to Gothic Basin and Foggy Lake . After that is a continuous climb through sodden forest ground , 3 miles of switchbacks , and no views to reward you for you elevation gain except the site of shortening trees . The next couple miles are rigorous and vertical , a narrow route of rocks and roots and a couple waterfalls to keep you interested in your end game . Once you reach the basin you are welcomed with a flat sprawl of glacial wilderness , tarns , creeks and wildflowers (depending on the time of year) . Continue on another 20 mins or so on to Foggy Lake following cairns up rocks and Boulder faces for a little scramble action and another 500ft elevation or so . After being told by every day hiker and backpacker heading down that Foggy Lake was AMAZING, we were quite disappointed in the lack of greenery as the lake is surrounded by cliffs/peaks ( Del Campo & Gothic Peak ) Ending at the Basin is worth the difficult hike , but if you feel the need , venture onward with lowered expectations and Im sure you will find the lake somewhat wonderous .

After what we calculated as an 11-12mi (with parking to trailhead & basin to lake) round trip , I'm glad to mark it off my Washington hike checklist but will not be doing it again .