The trail passes through expansive alpine landscapes dominated by metasedimentary rocks sculpted by past glaciers.

[9][10] The trail starts at the Highline Trailhead in McKee Draw, just 0.5 miles west of U.S. Highway 191 on Forest Road 062.

The first 25 miles (40 km) of trail pass through forest and subalpine meadows, and there can be limited sources of water, particularly late in the season.

From Leidy Peak westward, the trail crosses long stretches of alpine tundra, rocky passes, and subalpine forests.

The trail ends at the Highline Trailhead at Hayden Pass on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (Utah Route 150).

[12] In the past some users have chosen to shorten the distance traveled due to the unmaintained condition of the far eastern portion of the trail.

In places, the trail lacks tread and is merely a route marked with occasional cairns, posts, or signs.