Descent route down the NW...

Descent route down the NW face to Williams Lake viewed from Wheeler summit (9-1-03). You only go UP this face if you don't know any better or your testosterone level is so high it routinely clouds your thinking. Bull-of-the-Woods trail is not only more pleasant and far more beautiful, both coming and going, but takes the same amount of time as does the linearly shorter ascent via Williams Lake, which involves clawing your way straight up a solid mile of 50% grade, 95% of which is scree or crumbling soil. There are absolutely no mitigating, technically-rewarding challenges to be found here. The trailhead for the descent begins just over the hump beyond the small figure on the summit ridge trail at right. If you do descend this way, a walking stick is recommended, as are boots that don't allow your toes to be shoved into the boot toe with every step – and NB: dislodged stones can tumble for hundreds of yards, so be mindful of those below.