[GeoTom]

Short version: We (Dani, Jasper and me) hinked to within a hundred vertical feet of Gothic Basin before a fairly steep stretch and our lack of ice axes kept us from proceeding further. Longer version: I had never been on the Monte Cristo road until yesterday. Gothic Basin sounded and looked intriguing to us. The recent sunny weather made us forget that it had been a decent snow year and it was still June. We parked at Barlow Pass and started walking the road. Shortly after passing the gate a couple yahoos (or so I thought) parked their truck right in front of the gate. I said to Dani, "Can't they read the sign that says no parking right there?" Well, turns out they had a key and unlocked the gate and drove right by us. We arrived at the bridge and saw the sign for Weden Creek Trail #724. Another vehicle was parked here. Apparently some people can obtain keys to drive up the road. Anyone know how/why? For a road, it was actually a pleasant walk, and the history of the townsite may bring me back soon. Views from the trail were nice.

Silvertip Peak

We encountered a small creek and decided to take off our shoes rather than trust the log perched across the raging torrent. The cold water felt good. Soon after this the trail started to get steeper. Then it steepened some more. Then, when I thought it couldn't get any steeper, it did. Finally it levelled out and we came to the first of the three gullies that I had read about in the guidebooks. The first one still had a good amount of snow and might be a bit dicey in a few days with these warm temperatures. The second and third were no problem.

Jasper did the advance scouting for us

We soon encountered snow. The way was easy to follow as there was a good set of prints from previous hikers. Jasper needed to cool off.

Shade and snow cool off a hot dog

Another steep stretch brought us to within shouting distance of Gothic Basin (I think).

Gothic Basin is just below and to the left of the peak

We met up with the group of 4 that had left the trailhead shortly after we arrived. They were hoping to summit Del Campo and come down the same day. Seemed like a late start to me (~9:30 when they left the trailhead) but it light late this time of year. We chatted for a minute and Jasper checked out their ice axes. He was probably wondering why we hadn't brought ours. Smart dog. Dumb owner (me). Dani and I ate our sandwiches here while Jasper chewed on a stick. We then decided to see what the last steep push was like. We should have brought our axes with us. I made it to within 30 feet of what looked like the crest. The snow was soft, but the gully got a bit narrow with a moat to my right and basically in my path if I slid down the hill. Dani and Jasper had prudently stopped a bit lower and were watching me. The next picture shows our highpoint for the day.

I made it just past the narrow spot of the snow. Unfortunately we left our ice axes at home.

I guess we'll have to go back sometime after the some snow melts. Views from here included Mt. Pugh and Sloan Peak.

Mt. Pugh

Sloan Peak

The way down went much quicker than the way up (big surprise). Jasper stopped again to cool off on the snow.

What will he do when all the snow melts?

I saw some flowers that looked like big asparagus spears shoved in the ground. Are they avalanche lily? Somebody (or somebodies) here will know.

They look like asparagus spears

[Quark]

Geo, nice pics! The keys to the gate are obtained through the Monte Cristo Preservation association. There are in-holders back in there, and they have an easement through the FS lands. The road and townsite and campground is maintained by both the Preservation association and the FS. The things poking up are hellibore. Elvis' lovely hellibore pics here.

[Trevor]

This is absurb. Today I essentially turned around at the same point you guys did . I nearly made it to the top, but just when I was about to summon the vigor to make the last movement upward, I slipped down further. . .I knew the towel had to be thrown in at that point.

[Gil]

Gothic is one place I would really, really like to go ... maybe this fall with a little less snow.

[Trevor]

I am hoping that my legs recover from yesterday relatively soon. Some photos from the record-heat trip.

gothic6

GothicBasin2

gothic12

gothic8

gothic7

[ActionBetty]

Thanks for sharing..those pics are amazing

[Backpacker Joe]

Nice shots as usual Treb.

[-lol-]

[GeoTom]

[Mike50]

I think I was the Yahoo who was driving. I hope you had a great day. My son and I hiked up 76 gulch and got close to the Comet mine and also stopped because of snow.

[Mike50]

Yep. That was definitly me then. Mines the red truck.

[GeoTom]

Mike- We did have a good day. We will probably make another go at Gothic Basin as an overnighter later in the year. Pictures I have seen from there look really nice. And just for clarification, I was using yahoo in the nicest way possible. I was really just jealous that I had to walk.

[Trevor]