From the KP Trailhead at KP Cienega Campground to where the KP Trail ends 9.4 miles away, the trail drops from lush spruces and other conifers through Ponderosas into pinons and then into a deep desert canyon. The trail is rated as moderate to strenuous and sees moderate traffic from May through October.

For the first 3 miles, the trail switchbacks from meadow to stream before you come to the point where the North Fork and South Fork of KP Creek come together with twin 10-foot waterfalls. The trail follows the stream into an ever deeper gorge with steep red and gray cliffs rising on both sides. You'll be crossing the stream quite often, and in a few places, you'll leave the inner gorge because it's just too difficult. The last 3 miles of the KP Trail are up and out of the canyon for much broader views. Down here, you'll be coming across more and more desert cactus and scrub oak. You'll also be getting good views of KP Canyon, Sawed-Off Mountain, surrounding ridges of the Blue Range and of Bear Mountain. Then you'll cross the ridge separating KP Canyon from Steeple Creek Canyon and head down to trail's end at the junction with the Steeple Creek Trail on top of a stony red mesa.

No motorized or mechanized vehicles (including mountain bikes) are allowed in the Primitive Area. Once the two forks of KP Creek come together, the fishing improves greatly. Along the route are junctions with the North Fork of KP Trail, the Blue Lookout Trail and the McKittrick Trail.

Elevation: 8.960' to 6,560'

Access: Go 28 miles south from Alpine on US 191 to the 1.3 mile long road heading into KP Cienega Campground. The trailhead is by a parking area and marked by a posterboard.

USGS Maps: Bear Mountain, Strayhorse

Trail map