Seven top-notch Trailblazers begin their steep descent from Scenic View Trailhead on a bright autumn morning. For this one-way hike we had driven in caravan to Scenic View, dropped off everybody but the drivers, parked the cars at Mailbox Trailhead, and then brought the drivers back to Scenic View in one car to start the hike.

Our first descent is steep and rocky. We soon arrive at a drop-off containing a pool of water.

Three of these drop-offs occur in the first half mile, erasing any doubts that Willow Creek is a "B" hike despite its comparatively short distance. We climb up and over the first two on the right and the third one on the left. Each time, we have to climb down a lot farther than we climbed up.

With all signs of civilization out of sight it looks like we are in a remote part of the wilderness. We have entered an area of brightly colored rhyolite and tuff formations and thriving vegetation of the Sonoran Desert. This landscape was formed by volcanic eruptions in the Miocene epoch some 18 million years ago, and has eroded into fantastic shapes.

Our major landmarks are peak 2881, highest in the eastern Goldfields, and its Golden Scepter. We continue downstream, doing the Willow Creek rock-hop.

Although Willow Creek flows downhill all the way to the river, the hike has plenty of ups and downs. You can’t just follow the streambed unless you want to jump into the water with the wasps and water bugs.

Downstream from the Narrows we enjoy an easy walk along a gentle streambed. Ted points out Junk Canyon, an easy escape route for hikers who don’t want to climb the boulders down to the edge of Saguaro Lake.

We can hear the rattle, but we can’t see the snake. Fortunately our ears are directional. Everyone starts walking back and forth, trying to triangulate on the source of the sound. Rattlesnakes aren’t invisible, are they?

Finally we find the snake, rattling away, extremely well camouflaged in the weeds and pebbles. We could have easily stepped on the snake if it didn’t rattle.

Scrambling over and around truck-sized boulders gets us down to an overview of the east end of Saguaro Lake. Here we enjoy a picnic lunch.

After climbing out in a side canyon, we re-convene at the dam road and discuss our options. Climb hill 2276, or walk back? The weather has turned hot, so we decide to walk the road back to the Mailbox Trailhead, where our cars are waiting.

A bright day, congenial companionship, and colorful photo-ops rewarded us on this off-trail adventure in the Goldfields.