Scott - Aug 24, 2022 8:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2022
Willis Creek
Justin, Kim, and I first headed to Water Canyon and Mossy Cave. We hiked to Mossy Cave and then the waterfall. After that we headed for Willis Creek.
Willis Creek is supposed to be a perennial creek through a slot canyon, which is relatively rare in this region. Unfortunately though, the creek was dry because of the drought! We walked though all the slots, but it was disappointing not to have a flowing creek, especially because it was a hot day.
After Willis Creek, we headed for Bull Valley Gorge, but we just rim walked the upper end since there were a lot of clouds and some thunder.
Rocky Alps - Nov 30, 2019 11:37 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2019
Willis Creek
On the drive between Bryce and Capitol Reef, we stopped off to do this little slot canyon, which was quite fun for the family. The water was low enough that we didn't really have to get our feet wet (could just hop back and forth over the water most of the time), and the scenery was quite nice. Along with Little Wildhorse Canyon in the San Rafael Swell, it's one of my favorite easy slot canyon hikes we've done as a family.
darinchadwick - Oct 2, 2014 4:21 am Date Climbed: Jun 4, 2014
Kiddietour
An easy slot for the kiddies. Running water made it unique and more wildlife than expected: birds, lizards, spiders, and bats.
mountaingazelle - Jul 9, 2014 11:58 am Date Climbed: Mar 24, 2014
Willis
Hiked in March during a side trip from Bryce. There was still snow and ice along the shaded areas of the canyon floor which made things interesting.
Super Dave - Oct 11, 2013 12:46 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2013
Fun!
Did a family hike following the first couple miles of the canyon. The kids and us parents all loved it. Spent the morning in Bryce, which was cool. Enjoyed Willis Creek as much if not more.
aprovance - May 9, 2011 12:29 am Date Climbed: May 7, 2011
Orange water
Great hike. The water flowing through the creek was actually orange, which I'm guess is due to the runoff from Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park. Loved every minute of it. Great colors and just a handful of people.
Buz Groshong - Apr 25, 2011 10:15 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2011
Great hike
We went down Willis and up Sheep most of the way then down Sheep a bit and then back tracked to the start.
Pretty canyon but quite short and only interspersed sections of slot. Makes for a long (~17 miles) loop with Bull Valley Gorge. Would be better off going to Hole in the Rock or Zion.
May 1999 with D-bo. Plan A was to be an overnighter loop from Bull Valley Gorge to Sheep Creek, then out Willis. Partway down Bull Valley, the sky in the slit above started looking gray and we got nervous and bailed. It turned out that what had frightened us were just some wispy clouds. We still had daylight, so we drove around to Willis and went down to Sheep Creek and back. Then drove up into the mountains to get our camping fix.
Scott - Aug 24, 2022 8:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2022
Willis CreekJustin, Kim, and I first headed to Water Canyon and Mossy Cave. We hiked to Mossy Cave and then the waterfall. After that we headed for Willis Creek.
Willis Creek is supposed to be a perennial creek through a slot canyon, which is relatively rare in this region. Unfortunately though, the creek was dry because of the drought! We walked though all the slots, but it was disappointing not to have a flowing creek, especially because it was a hot day.
After Willis Creek, we headed for Bull Valley Gorge, but we just rim walked the upper end since there were a lot of clouds and some thunder.
Rocky Alps - Nov 30, 2019 11:37 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2019
Willis CreekOn the drive between Bryce and Capitol Reef, we stopped off to do this little slot canyon, which was quite fun for the family. The water was low enough that we didn't really have to get our feet wet (could just hop back and forth over the water most of the time), and the scenery was quite nice. Along with Little Wildhorse Canyon in the San Rafael Swell, it's one of my favorite easy slot canyon hikes we've done as a family.
darinchadwick - Oct 2, 2014 4:21 am Date Climbed: Jun 4, 2014
KiddietourAn easy slot for the kiddies. Running water made it unique and more wildlife than expected: birds, lizards, spiders, and bats.
mountaingazelle - Jul 9, 2014 11:58 am Date Climbed: Mar 24, 2014
WillisHiked in March during a side trip from Bryce. There was still snow and ice along the shaded areas of the canyon floor which made things interesting.
Super Dave - Oct 11, 2013 12:46 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2013
Fun!Did a family hike following the first couple miles of the canyon. The kids and us parents all loved it. Spent the morning in Bryce, which was cool. Enjoyed Willis Creek as much if not more.
aprovance - May 9, 2011 12:29 am Date Climbed: May 7, 2011
Orange waterGreat hike. The water flowing through the creek was actually orange, which I'm guess is due to the runoff from Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park. Loved every minute of it. Great colors and just a handful of people.
Buz Groshong - Apr 25, 2011 10:15 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2011
Great hikeWe went down Willis and up Sheep most of the way then down Sheep a bit and then back tracked to the start.
blueshade - Apr 7, 2010 1:16 am
Willis CreekPretty canyon but quite short and only interspersed sections of slot. Makes for a long (~17 miles) loop with Bull Valley Gorge. Would be better off going to Hole in the Rock or Zion.
seanpeckham - Jan 7, 2008 1:23 am
was both plan A and BMay 1999 with D-bo. Plan A was to be an overnighter loop from Bull Valley Gorge to Sheep Creek, then out Willis. Partway down Bull Valley, the sky in the slit above started looking gray and we got nervous and bailed. It turned out that what had frightened us were just some wispy clouds. We still had daylight, so we drove around to Willis and went down to Sheep Creek and back. Then drove up into the mountains to get our camping fix.