In 1937, they followed a vision to create a trade route that would provide a link to the west coast through the Rocky Mountains via a low pass. With little to no government support, these pioneers lead a drive to push the route through themselves.

Hells Half Acre gets its name from the most daunting section of land negotiated by the trail blazing crew. It is a quarter mile section, where huge chunks of rock lay in their way, the product of an ancient slide off the face of Mount Watts.