Start from the Cottonwood Creek trailhead and walk through the woods to reach a steep staircase on the hillside. At the top of the stairs, you'll join an old paved road, which twists farther up the hill to a junction with more dirt trails. A left turn here will take you to a little picnic pavilion overlooking the creek and the foothills. A right turn leads to the outcrop above the city. Go to either one first, then keep walking around the top of the ridge to see the other and complete the loop.

These trails can be good at any time of year, but are best avoided when they might be icy or muddy because of the steepness. It's also not the best place on a hot day because the ridge gets full sun and offers no shade.