Re: Anyone been up to Papoose flat ?
Posted by Cat-Scan on May 02, 2002 at 12:43:22:
In Reply to: Re: Anyone been up to Papoose flat ? posted by Fran on May 01, 2002 at 19:57:50:
Fran,
You are correct. The Squaw Flat/Papoose Flat areas are west of Marble Canyon. Of course I am referring to the Marble Canyon that is north of Saline Valley.
One of the best guides I have found that covers this area is Roger Mitchell's 'Inyo Mono Jeep Trails'. Trip 7, Around Andrews Mountain, describes the area quite well.
Our group visited the area by coming in on 168 out of Big Pine, then taking the Eureka-Saline Valley Road and turning right on to the beginning of the trail (3 miles above Devil's Gate).
We then took the left fork (opposite direction as the one described in the trail guide) and headed for the remains of the two miner cabins at the head of Marble Canyon Narrows. And all this was traveled at night. This was pretty cool, both literally and figuratively speaking.
After camping at the cabins for the rest of the night, we headed through Squaw Flat. We then traveled west to Papoose Flat where there are very good views of the Sierra Nevada Range. Then we traveled out through the Badger Pass/Mazourka Canyon route.
Of course, instead of going out the Badger Pass route, one may travel north from the Papoose Flat area and back to the Eureka-Saline Valley Road making for a neat loop trip. If you have seen my past postings, you may have noticed that some would disagree with my position that our right to travel such loop trails is protected in The U. S. Constitution and The Bill of Rights! In all seriousness, it was legal to travel this 4 WD trail then. And, as far as I know, it remains a legal route.
I agree with other postings. This is a very interesting and enjoyable area!