Click on photos to see larger image.

Today's Route Stats:

Distance:  4.7 miles

Elevation Gain:  700 feet

Elevation Loss:  800 feet

Our goal for today was Willow Spring.  After only about 1/2 mile of walking, we headed the side canyon that George Steck describes in his book as the exit from Stairway Canyon.  I have done the Steck's Tuckup/Stairway Loop twice, so I should soon be on familiar ground.  In Grand Canyoneering, Todd Martin shows an exit farther up Stairway. 

Soon after starting out in the morning, the hiking got significantly more difficult.  The "trail" completely disappeared.  And heading the side canyons was tedious and confusing.  I was a bit surprised since this section is hiked by people doing Steck's loop.  Eventually we reached the bottom of Willow Canyon, down-canyon a hundred yards or so from the spring.  We picked up water in two different places:  One looked like pure pothole water, and the other looked like it was fed by the spring.  We were a little concerned about the mineralized water from the spring, which can cause diarrhea. 

We exited the canyon and got up onto benches on the north side.  It was a nice, flat area for camping.  I remembered camping here once before (1999 and/or 2003).