The Michigan Bluff to Last Chance section of the Western States Trail was built in 1850 and later became a maintained toll-trail, perhaps one of only a few toll-trails in the state.

As early as 1850 pack-trains carried supplies down the trail connecting the mining camps of Michigan Bluff, Deadwood, and Last Chance. During this period these camps were dependent upon local freight companies who supplied the camps with foodstuffs, clothing, mining tools, drugs, and other supplies, particularly during the winter months, when access in and out of the camps was difficult. Supplies were brought in by large pack-trains of mules rather than by wagons which could not negotiate the circuitous narrow trail. By 852 this trail was in full use and cut in half the time it took to reach Dead Wood and Last Chance from the Foresthill Divide.