Milky Way above Gothic Peak & Weeden Creek

@rossschram

Washington

•

Granite Falls

Gothic Basin is well worth the vigorous climb for those who don't mind putting in the effort. Day hikers will wish they could stay the night once they see the views from the top — especially with the Milky Way in plain sight. The trail was originally built by miners with the intention of getting to the top of the peaks as quickly as possible, so be prepared for a steep hike! Please note: Gothic Basin is a fragile area. Be sure that you're camping on an established site or sturdy surface (rock or dirt) and don't camp on the meadows or grass. Always leave the area better than you found it and follow the Leave No Trace Principles as a guide to protect the environment.

Plan

Overview

Skill level

Difficult

Accessbility

Public Location

Hours

Anytime

Fee

Northwest Forest Pass: $5 per day/$30 year

Pack

Wide-angle lens (18mm)
Tripod
Hiking attire
Water
Snacks
Backpacking gear (if spending the night)
Flashlight

How to get there

N47° 58' 46.1028"W121° 27' 46.926"

This image of the Milky Way above Gothic Peak and Weeden Creek was taken along the Gothic Basin Trail. For this perspective, I stood on the southeast side of the water, looking west onto Gothic Peak. You'll have to put in work to get to this spot, and while there's only 2,800 feet of elevation gain, the trail is not easily climbable. This means there are no switch backs and the path tends to ascend quickly when there's any elevation gain. First, you'll park at Barlow Pass Trailhead (48.026901, -121.443813). Then, follow the signs directly south to the Gothic Basin Trailhead. From there, reference the GPS coordinates which will lead you to the location where I stood to capture this shot.