The trail from Deadwood leads past the cemetery into the gorge
of El Dorado Canyon and steeply descends for three miles. Through the
grandeur of this towering hill and its awe-inspiring chasm meanders the
tributaries of the Middle Fork, and the impressive jumble of rock and foliage
spread out at the feet of the beholder. It is considered a difficult and
devious path, with steep inclines. The side of the canyon is abrupt and
precipitous.
Well-constructed switch backs line the trail as it
climbs out to a summit at the famous old mining camp of Michigan Bluff, some 2,000 feet above the river.
The trail is cut into the steep sides of the canyon and is narrow, bounded
on one side by the steep ascent, like a wall, and on the other by the
precipitous descent to the river below. There are fewer trees and more rock
facing on this side of the canyon, making it seem larger, with views that are
overwhelming. On a hot summer's day, however, the trail takes on a different
meaning. The heat generated from the bare rock facings coupled with the lack of
shade trees can cause the temperature to rise by 10 to 20 degrees. |
