The trailhead is immediately upon turning onto Red Vista Road. Don't follow the road, but park next to Highway 88 for quickest access to the trail.
The trailhead is atop the snowbank and is restricted to human-powered traffic only, except when insufficient snow exists at the Hope Valley Sno-Park.
The trail traces Forestdale Road, a forest road which is not maintained during the winter.
The road makes up the border of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Mokelumne Wilderness.
Blue diamond blazes mark the road, however these become harder to spot as the trail continues on.
Early portions of the trail skirt a meadow at the edge of Hope Valley.
The nearby peak makes this a popular area with backcountry skiers.
High mountainous conditions make for snow lasting later in the season and coming at unpredictable times, but that's not a bad thing if you want to be able to have that winter feeling well into the spring.