Del Campo Peak
Permits and reservations
Outside wilderness and park boundaries, on Forest Service land. Matched from official boundaries and trail managers. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Overview
From Barlow Pass, walk the gated Monte Cristo road along the South Fork Sauk River, then turn onto the Gothic Basin trail. Cross Weden Creek and climb steeply past a string of creeks and rocky sections to a saddle above Gothic Basin, a granite bowl of tarns and slabs. From the basin, a faint boot path leads toward Del Campo. The summit pitch is very steep, but the top looks down on Foggy Lake and out to Rainier, Baker, and Glacier Peak.
Tips from hikers
From WTA route notes and trip reports
- Watch for the turn off the old road. The Gothic Basin trail leaves on the right about 0.7 miles past the gate.
- It's steeper than the miles suggest. Most of the climbing happens in roughly two miles.
- Late snow lingers. Steep gullies can hold snow and fragile snow bridges well into summer.
- The summit is real climbing. Class 3 to 4 with a fatal-fall risk on the last pitch. Bring a helmet, or turn around at the talus.
- Camping in the basin. No fires, use established sites or bare rock, and bring a bear canister.
- Arrive early on sunny weekends. Basin campsites fill fast.
What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Barlow Pass Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.