Beyond Balloon Dome

[daniel banquo merrick]

George Whitmore said he enjoyed exploring the area east of BD and mentioned that there was a finished cabin with windows and even drywall. I assumed such a place would be gone after the area became a wilderness and the roads blocked. But, I found this trip report. Look at photo #7:
http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1189329

https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B027%2738.8%22N+119%C2%B007%2758.7%22W/@37.4608035,-119.1331449,287m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0

[larsj]

Looks like it might be easier to get to from Edison Dan.  Don't see any rock in the immediate vicinity. Nice share. I'm amazed to find things about the area still to find, thanks-lars

[John]

That is really cool. I wonder how they cut the wood for the cabin? Packed in?

[DaveyTree]

Nice find. Very cool spot. Doesn't appear to be much water close by the cabin, especially during these low rain years.

[susan]

Looks like quite a hike. Beautiful shots posted.

[DaveyTree]

Looks like there is a 4x4 road that comes from Edison back to the west to cut some of the distance. From where I can see it end there is still about a 5 mile hike from that side. It is only about 3 miles from the south at roads end but you have to cross the gorge with all the descent/ascent, looks pretty rough. Looks about 5 miles from Rock Creek crossing as well.

On google earth there is another cabin at Heitz meadow (look for the picture icon) to the SW of the one mentioned but shows to be damaged.

Looks like a great backpacking area.

[daniel banquo merrick]

Looking at old topo maps, there was a 4WD road that passed about 2 miles east of Heitz. It led to a an old prospect less than a mile west of Pincushion Peak. I think you could drive pretty close if not to that cabin. When it was incorporated into the Ansel Adams Wilderness in 1984, they blocked the roads. The first part of the jeep trail is now Onion Spring OHV but ends about 6 miles from Edison.

Like Lars said, not much rock back there but I bet there aren't many people either.