We started from Willow Springs Trailhead on a lovely autumn day in the Goldfields. “Is there going to be bushwhackin’?” Our leader showed the way as we reached the end of a mine road and headed cross-country.

There are several washes to cross on our climb up to Prevention Gap. “It’s better to stay high,” Ted explains, “because the washes get very steep down below.” Sugar-frosted rocks and many colorful lichens cheer us along the way.

Teddy Bears and a rancher’s old fence mark Prevention Gap.

An easy climb up to the ridge rewards us with a sweeping view of peaks, colorful lava formations, and the rocky streambed leading north to Wishbone Junction. Soon we top out at 2246'.

The ridge has a split personality. On the northeast it is a volcanic hillside with loose boulders and cobblestones, dark soil, and abundant plant life. But on the southwest it is glorious golden slickrock, eroded into fantastic shapes that plunge precipitously down to the stream below. We step carefully among the rough boulders.

A zigzag route down the smooth ridgeline brings us to a ledge of slickrock east of Wishbone Junction. By this time Ted has pretty much decided that we’ll go back the easy way instead of bushwhacking all the way back in a rocky streambed. Everyone agrees.

Down below us is the Jeep road through Willow Springs Canyon. We get there by walking down a smooth ridge, then bailing out on the left side to avoid a rugged wash. The road is covered with sand and marked with tire tracks.

“Beware of side roads,” Ted advises us as we turn right and head southeast. Then he takes on several side roads which are shortcuts to get us away from the sand-slogging.

Our last adventure is an off-road climb over white slickrock in Willow Springs Canyon. A century ago this was ranch land, with hooks in the rock walls, remnants of fences, and pipes to carry water from nearby Willow Springs Well.

Soon the road joins the canyon for an easy walk back to our trailhead.