Searing Gorge The Searing Gorge is a contested zone in the Eastern Kingdoms for players in the 47 - 51 range . It is home to a group of exceptionally stout dwarves called the Thorium Brotherhood , who have split from the Dark Iron Clan . Except for them , the Dark Iron Clan have 2000 + dwarves in the gorge working on various things and also keeping a watching eye on the Thorium Brotherhood . For the Alliance , the entrance to the Searing Gorge in Loch Modan is locked until the Key to Searing Gorge is obtained via a quest line that culminates in ( level 48 quest ) . However , any Rogue with lockpicking of at least 225 can pick the doors . An alternate path can be found in the Badlands just south of Kargath . This is the primary Horde entrance , as they have no way of obtaining the key . History . Just as Blackrock orcs and their allies dominate Burning Steppes , so Dark Iron dwarves dominate the Searing Gorge . A large population of Dark Iron dwarves , War Golems , and Elementals resides in this dark , mountainous area . The climate is very similar to Burning Steppes , as it was the same catastrophe that blackened both : the summoning of Ragnaros . The Searing Gorge is a part of Khaz Modan . Before being shattered by the summoning it was a mountainous region , part of the Redridge Mountains . Large mining operations take place in The Cauldron , a giant excavation site forming a huge rift in the middle of the Searing Gorge . The Slag Pit lies within The Cauldron and is an underground mining site rich with multiple types of ore . The mining work is mainly done by slave labour , which consists for the most part of captured enemies . Ever since the Dark Iron dwarves ' capital , Thaurissan , was destroyed by the summoning of Ragnaros , they have searched for a landmass to control for their filthy , industrious works . The Searing Gorge was the obvious choice due to a low military presence , scarce population , few settlements , and high vulnerability . The dwarven garrisons were soon overrun by a massive Dark Iron invasion which forced them to retreat to Loch Modan and seal the passage . This area was normally sealed , and adventurers could only enter by traversing through Blackrock Mountain or by obtaining the Key to Searing Gorge , which follows a series of quests . Recently , however , the Horde garrisons stationed at Kargath , in the Badlands , have grown curious about the use of the area for tactical purposes , and have cut a narrow pass through the mountains south of their encampment . Recently , the Thorium Brotherhood built a settlement in this area called Thorium Point . Geography . Dungeons and raids . There are none actually located in the Searing Gorge . However , Blackrock Mountain lies between it and the Burning Steppes . It is home to Blackrock Depths ( Level 52 - 60 Instance ) , Blackrock Spire ( Level 54 - 60 Instance ) , Molten Core ( Level 60 Raid Instance ) , and Blackwing Lair ( Level 60 Raid Instance ) . Notable characters . Searing Gorge is home to several characters of note . At Thorium Point , Hansel Heavyhands seeks aid in the battle against the golems , spiders , and incendosaurs of the region . Master Smith Burninate attempts to create fiery flux with the help of trustworthy individuals . And from his guarded spot nearby , Kalaran Windblade sends bold adventurers into the holdings of the Dark Irons in an attempt to burn down all of their sentry towers . Cataclysm . The Searing Gorge will be a 48 - 50 zone in Cataclysm . The storyline covers the Dark Irons ' involvement with the Twilight ' s Hammer . Areas affected :