The trail down Dalzell Gorge from the divide is regarded as the worst stretch of the trail. Steep and straight, it drops in elevation in just , and there is little traction so the teams are hard to control. Mushers have to ride the brake most of the way down and use a snow hook for traction. In 1988, rookie Peryll Kyzer fell through an ice bridge into a creek and spent the night wet. The route then follows Tatina River, which is also hazardous: in 1986 Butcher's lead dogs fell through the ice but landed on a second layer of ice instead of falling into the river. In 1997, Ramey Smyth lost the end of his little finger when it hit an overhanging branch while negotiating the gorge.
the trail down dalzell gorge from the divide is regarded as the worst stretch of the trail steep and straight it drops in elevation in just  and there is little traction so the teams are hard to control mushers have to ride the brake most of the way down and use a snow hook for traction in 1988 rookie peryll kyzer fell through an ice bridge into a creek and spent the night wet the route then follows tatina river which is also hazardous in 1986 butcher's lead dogs fell through the ice but landed on a second layer of ice instead of falling into the river in 1997 ramey smyth lost the end of his little finger when it hit an overhanging branch while negotiating the gorge