Beginning at the Summerland Greenwell Preserve building, the trail begins to the left of the building and heads quickly through a shady grove and along the edge of an avocado farm before crossing creek and beginning the stable climb that will last the remainder of the route. Traveling on dusty single track, the dirt trail alternates between somewhat steep and very steep as it soon emerges from the shade oaks and begins tight switchbacks up the exposed hillside. Over its route, envy-inducing hilltop homes and views across the Pacific and Channel Islands emerge. While equestrians and mountain bikers (E Bikes are prohibited) are able to share the trail, you'll very often find you have this trail to yourself.

Ortega Reservoir, which the trail approaches but never reaches, and the Santa Ynez mountains soon emerge. Hikers should keep their eyes up as California Condors have been known to take flight overhead in this area.

The trail wraps around a final bend where the desert scrub immediately gives way to manicured succulents and shrubs, and you find yourself at the edge of a residential road in a neighborhood. The road is private, so hikers here can turn around and retrace their route back toward the bottom.

There are no amenities of any kind at the trailhead or along the hike. Hikers should be aware that several sections of this trail can remain very muddy after wet conditions.