Ponderosa pine trees line the beginning boundaries of the trail, but fir and aspen trees dominate the upper half of the trail as it climbs to an alpine setting. A fire tower, surrounded by communication antennas, is at the mountain's peak, and a spectacular view of all directions spreads out below. On clear days, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon can be seen. Since the mountain is a primary watershed for the City of Williams, entry to the area is illegal when fire danger is high. Take this road to the Williams Ranger Station, take a left at the fork.
Signs clearly mark the way to the parking lot at the trailhead.
The trial then climbs the north face of Bill Williams begins its ascent through a forest of pine, oak and juniper trees. The higher slopes of the Mountain are heavily shaded by a dense growth of aspen trees. The trail joins the road to the top of the mountain one half mile from the fire tower, at the mountain's summit. Total distance of the north trail is about three miles. If transportation is arranged in advance, a person may ascend the north trail and descent the south trail, or vice versa.