From the upper parking lot at Tortilla Flat we headed down to the creek.  That was the first mistake.  With no real idea of where the trail was, and no track on any map, we guessed that the trail should primarily follow the creek.  This was pretty tough because the water level was so high that we frequently had to cross.  Getting your feet wet 15 minutes into a hike is generally not a great idea.  Luckily we met a couple who had done this hike before and pointed us to the trail.  The problem was, it was only the general direction to the trail.  We climbed up a steep hill through scrub.  This is where the bloodletting began, and it did not stop until our return the following day.  Bushwhacking through thornbushes leaves its mark.  After reaching the saddle we looked down to the creek in front of us.  We had just saved nearly a mile of boulder hopping and stream crossings with that climb.  Having now found an actual trail, we headed down.  Once at the creek, the next 3/4 of a mile was along over and through the water.  We reached a nice sandbank at just over 1 mile, and there is where we set up camp.  With temps in the 80s it was pretty warm.  The kids went swimming in the bigger pools.  I hiked in further around the split in the creek.  Just around that corner was the amazing Peter's Canyon.  With all the water in the creek, there were many waterfalls.  Some a foot or two high, others 15-20 (forgot my camera).  Climbing the boulders, some bigger than a room, I made it in about another half mile.  At that point, the boulder in front was too high to climb, and I did not feel like swimming to the other climb point.  After return to the camp, and as the sun set, we all felt a few drops from above.  Then more, then lightning and thunder and then it stopped.  Then it started again, and then stopped.  Intermittent rain continued through the night.  We rose early, packed up and headed out.  This time we found the trail, and it was beautiful.  The grasses were tall and green and the spring flowers were beginning to show.  The trail took us directly back to the car.  Had we not made that first left to the creek the whole thing would have been easier and drier.  If you go, walk straight, don't turn towards the creek.

The map above is the track from the way out, reverse the profile to see it heading in.