The obvious route to Willow...

The obvious route to Willow Basin is a trip up Minnehaha Gulch (shown in red.) I like to use the steep tundra slope south of "West Sievers Mountain" for ascents and descents to the Willow Lake area. If its your first time up to that area, I would recommend going Minnehaha and descending the slope below "West Sievers,"that way its easier to pick up the climbers trail that escorts you down to Maroon Lake. Once you locate this trail it makes it a lot easier, and faster to use it for ascents up to Willow Lake.