The trail follows an old ox trail that switchbacks up a divide, and where it comes out on the old toll-road you enter the Miller Peak Wilderness Area. From here are excellent views both up and down the canyon, and across the San Pedro Valley. T he trail now drops down to the canyon bottom, passing an un-named spring on the way, then crosses the stream and begins ascending the canyon. A fire in Pat Scott Canyon in 1983 resulted in flash flooding here, washing out major portions of the canyon bottom, and much of the trail. Even in dry years this is a lush canyon, with abundant oak, sycamore, and maple mixed with pine and fir.
Watercress grows in the creek, and horsetail grows beside it.
There was a time when a tram was planned for this canyon, to transport ore, but fortunately it was never built. The trail then enters Hamburg Meadow, once home to 150 miners. This used to be a beautiful spot to camp, but flooding has cut a large channel through it. The white cliffs above you to the north are below Ramsey Peak. They are thought to have been created in 1887, when an earthquake shook half of the peak into the canyon.