Leaving Open Creek Trail No. 116, make a sharp turn left and proceed on Wall Trail No. 175, rising to the southeast and a short set of switchbacks. Turn around for a good view of Kevan Mountain and the north end of the North Wall. Reach a trail junction for Lake Levale at 0.9. (It is 0.2 mile up the trail to the lake with places to camp, beneath a backdrop of cliffs. Campsites are difficult to find for the next 8.5 miles along the North Wall, so the lake is a good place to stop if it is getting late in the day.) After another set of switchbacks, cross a spur ridge at 1.5 and enjoy the view of the cliffs and valleys ahead. Avoid several side trails off to the left (east) and continue in open country, circling around to the head of South Fork of Open Creek at 2.9. Climb a bit once again to the next spur ridge, at 3.3, where Trail No. 132 turns left climbing the nearby summit of Moonlight Peak.

Descend, passing below a tarn beneath cliffs at 3.9. This is maybe the best area to locate a campsite near Trail 175 until Red Shale Creek. Go over a small rise at 4.1 and descend several switchbacks to trail junction at 4.4. Trail No. 151 turns left here to go down the North Fork of Lick Creek. Fifty yards after the trail junction, cross a small tributary to the North Fork. Continuing along the base of the cliffs, cross another small creek at 4.8 and the North Fork of Lick Creek at 5.1. Enter the northwest extent of the 1988 Gates Park fire at 5.3 on the way to the next ridge (at 5.9) which separates the North and South Fork drainages.

Nearly the entire South Fork of Lick Creek drainage burned in 1988 and the area is well on its way to recovery. Good views are prevalent through the drainage, where the lush green vegetation provides a nice contrast between the burnt trees and tan cliffs to the west. The Trail remains close to the wall, descends slightly before crossing another ridge at 6.4. Descend through six switchbacks to 6700’ and cross a small creek at 7.1. Contour around the drainage and cross small creeks at 7.3, 7.7, and 8.1. Leave the burned area on the climb to the final spur ridge at 8.9.

The Trail passes a popular campsite near the North Fork of Red Shale Creek at 9.6 and continues south through Red Shale Meadows beneath the North Wall. Two trail signs at 10.0 mark the end of Wall Trail No. 175 and the start of Red Shale Creek Trail No. 130. The trail can be difficult to follow through the meadow, as it heads southeast towards another popular campsite on a small creek. Just before the creek, the trail swings to the north and then enters the forest. A second trail continues through the campsites, crosses the creek, and climbs to the south towards the ridge between the North and South Fork drainages. This trail may connect to South Fork Trail No. 167. (While the topographic maps suggest that one might walk south from the South Fork all the way to Rock Creek, another 800-foot climb with roundabout route-finding would be required. Some of it, especially along Baldy Bear Creek, could end up with bushwhacking – all in all hardly recommended. It might be a bit shorter than the established designated route, but certainly would not save any time.)

Descend several switchbacks, cross a pack bridge to the left bank of Red Shale Creek at 11.1 and reenter the 1988 Gates Park burn at 12.1. After side creeks at 12.7 and 14.1, keep well up on the slope as the creek cuts through a narrow ravine. Cross a gully at 15.3 and descend southeast to a trail junction at 15.9. Turn right on to Rock Creek Trail No. 111 and head west down to Red Shale Creek - perhaps a problematic ford in June - at 16.1.

The climb back to the Divide begins with an ascent out of the ravine before turning west. Leave the burn area behind at 17.0 and swing around Goat Ridge towards Rock Creek. Along the way, there are a couple of tributaries – Hoxsey Creek at 17.8 and Miners Creek at 18.4. A small camp can be made just before Miners Creek. After descending a couple of switchbacks, reach the Rock Creek Valley at 19.6, where the route levels out. Pass a couple campsites off to the right near Baldy Bear Creek at 20.5, where cliff-lined ridges begin to constrict the valley. The Rock Creek Guard Station is located at the narrowest point, at 23.3. The Trail remains nearly level until 24.0 where it climbs more steeply to the northwest well above the creek located in the ravine below. The section ends at Spotted Bear Pass, at 26.1, where the designated route meets the recommended one (Spotted Bear River Trail No. 83) at a signed junction.