This area is actually quite lovely, with lots of surprising and colorful features. As you traverse the arroyo, you encounter a variety of landscapes, from broad, wide, rocky flats, to bumpy terrain with hidden pockets of water. As you travel up the lower arroyo for a mile and about 500 ft of elevation, an open and less interesting stretch of more level ground appears en route to the next hilly section. There are some nice vistas from here, nonetheless, with a clear view of the mesa top ahead. Unexpectedly, upon ascending further to the mesa top, a bike trail appears which originates in the San Ysidro Trials area.

The bike trail leads to the edge of an interesting, somewhat deep canyon, the opposite side of which holds colorful rock features. Follow the bike trail to the point where the canyon can be easily crossed, and then proceed to the rock formations. Along the way, a 'micro-slot' canyon appeared, weaving upwards and leading into a deeper canyon. The colorful rocks on the top are adjacent to views from the edge of Red Mesa.

From here, a small return loop eventually brings you back to the bike trail, but not without first traversing more beautiful stretches of water pockets, and a view of a sudden drop-off into a very steep canyon. This area is seldom visited, so it makes for a great get-away.