Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board San Gabrial Mts. hike near Iron Mt.

Has anyone hiked to Eagle mine from East Fork by Heaton Flat trail though Widman Ranch? I hiked there this afternoon but I stopped and turned around when the Heaton trail seems to end at Allison Trail. Has anyone hiked beyond this point? Any response would be appreciated. Thanks

By the way it was well over 90o up there.

A few years ago, I hiked down to Dry Canyon which is the canyon by Widman Ranch. It was in the winter and snowing as I entered the area. I followed an old road down to the canyon where there was a nice stream. I only visited the stream though and then came back-taking Heaton trail both ways. I didn't take the trail in Dry Canyon-I think I saw it by the running stream. I say I think I saw it because there were a lot of leaves and it maybe it was there-there seemed to be a cleared path.

Last time I got to that junction I ended up going up to the Allison Mine thinking it looked more promising and vowed never to go again. So far I've kept my vow. I know you asked about the route to Eagle but if the trail up to Allison, as described in John Robinson's book, is any indication it hasn't been maintained for years and it is badly overgrown. When I got back I looked like I'd been in a cat fight. I don't think this area gets much attention outside of the route up Iron Mtn. I think it is remotely possible that one might get to Eagle from West Baldy. Very speculative though without some careful study.

About a year ago a group of friends and I were on our way to Allison mine and were searching around the saddle and found the remnants of a trail going off in the direction of Eagle mine. The trail seemed to dissapear after just a short distance and we decided not to follow it because our goal was the Allison mine. I'm not sure if this was a trail at all. None of the maps that I have show any trail heading off this direction.