The upper portions of the trail were originally built in 1876 when rumors of placer gold led speculators to need a way into the area.[1] Further trail work was performed beginning in 1925 under the US Forest Service and continued under the National Park Service with the final sections to Tapeats Creek completed in 1939.[2] The trail was closed to all motorized vehicles effective July 1, 1962 due to safety concerns for both vehicle riders and hikers.[3]
