As the trail runs west along the edge of the Markagunt Plateau, the cliffs recede and are replaced by steep slopes forested in Douglas-fir, Englemann spruce, and limber pine. Views to the south encompass the headwaters of the Virgin River's North Fork, highlighted by the grassy meadows of Hay Canyon. The trail descends as a new set of castellated cliffs rise ahead. These eroded walls are banded with brilliant whites and oranges that are almost blinding in direct sunlight. After bottoming out at the mouth of a small draw, the trail works its way around to an overlook that is accessed by the Lars Fork Road.
Views are even better a short distance up the trail where it crests the ridgetop.
The path then continues to climb, working inland through coniferous forests interrupted by aspen groves. When the path finds its way back to the rims, the limestone of the Pink Cliffs takes on more muted tones, pastel oranges and lavenders. Ahead, a long finger of cliffs juts out from the edge of the plateau. The trail runs behind a hilltop then descends to the base of this eroded backbone, where bristlecone pines grow. A narrow spur path runs onto the finger ridge for breathtaking views of the Pink Cliffs guarding the plateau's edge.