There is an unmanned visitor centre and a picnic site. The creek bed flows close by and continues westwards away from the mountains, eventually joining the Pecos River, but is usually dry at this point. The hike is initially along the streamway, then winds along the sandy banks at either side, crossing the creek several times. A more unusual tree is the Texas madrone, a distinctive species with red-coloured bark and evergreen leaves.
Drinking water is available.
Upstream of this location the creek flows even in summer, rising above ground at several points between rock layers, then returning below ground a few hundred metres further. This is boarded up and not occupied, except by groups of bats that hang upside down from the ceiling during the day. This is the usual point visited on a day hike, and is 3.4 miles from the start of the trail. Ahead, the canyon becomes quite steep and the path climbs nearly 2,000 feet over the next 2 miles to McKittrick Ridge at 7,716 feet, then continues through the forest, eventually joining the long Tejas Trail 4 miles from the northern park entrance.