The trail shares the same path for part of the way with the longer Benton MacKaye . For a multitude of reasons, least of which is the initial ascent if hiked from Stanley Gap, it is recommended that the trail be hiked from Deep Gap. Climbing at the outset, the trail rises to the ridge top, then moves to the slope when the ridge begins a steep ascent. This pattern is repeated throughout this high, dry footpath.
Views are occasionally good.
The trail follows the ridge for most of the time, at the end climbing almost to the top of Rocky Mountain before descending steeply to Stanley Gap.