From Copper King trailhead, where a small campsite is available, the trail starts with a gentle descent through oak brush and ponderosa pine. At a signed junction the trail heads right towards the North Fork of Tabegauche Creek. It flattens out a bit as it contours around an oak-covered bench. Shortly afterwards it crosses two small streams. Shortly after that it climbs up and around a large tree and some cliffs to a view of two small waterfalls in the North Fork of Tabegauche Creek. It then continues to contour around a grassy bench with views of red cliffs above. It proceeds down to a crossing of the North Fork at 6,700 feet. A couple of large old spruce trees live in the bottom of the creek drainage.

The trail then begins a climbing traverse through thick oak brush to an old gate, where views are available back down into the North Fork. As you near the top of the ridge you join an old road and follow it to a signed junction where a spur trail leading to an old Indian racetrack takes off. Just beyond the racetrack junction, you reach a junction with an old road (flagged with blue ribbon) which has been dozed closed. Head uphill at this point and them out across a meadow with a small reservoir. Watch carefully for a sign to your left off the main road grade. Here the trail enters a ponderosa/oak brush forest as it follows a rolling traverse gradually down the mesa top. Soon you enter a meadow near another sign and a small reservoir. As you cross the meadow, there are views up to Windy Point near the top of the Uncompahgre Plateau. At the far edge of the meadow, you reach a signed junction with an old road. Follow the old road downhill to a sign at the top of 47 creek.

Continue down the road past another sign. Shortly afterwards you leave the main road at a sign and follow the trail towards 47 Creek. Continue down the trail through oak brush past another couple of trail signs to a small viewpoint looking towards the Main Fork of Tabegauche Creek. From here the trail switchbacks down a rough section of rocks and oak brush to a junction with 47 Creek. Pinyon and juniper grow at the lower elevation here. Watch for rattlesnakes! Follow 47 Creek down to a junction with Tabegauche Creek. A sign here points upstream. Large ponderosas and red cliffs grace the canyon bottom. The old Ute trail continues downstream, but is mostly overgrown. Elevation here is 5,900'. The trail continues up the Creek. It is overgrown with poison ivy in spots. Continue upstream past large boulders and some food swimming holes to a stream crossing. From here the trail heads steeply uphill, switchbacking into a side canyon. You reach the canyon rim near a small campsite. At a signed junction head uphill to your right (the old trail heads left). After a short traverse across the mesa top, you reach the Pinto Mesa trailhead (approximately 10.4 miles).

Access: Take 25 Mesa Road from Nucla to the Pinto Mesa Road. Turn left and follow the road approximately 3-4 miles to the end, where a trailhead sign and parking area for the Indian Trail stand. To access the other end of the trail, continue on 25 Mesa Road to the Copper King Road instead of taking Pinto Mesa Road. Follow Copper King Road approximately 5-6 miles to its end. There is a trailhead sign and parking area.