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| Produced by Back Country Enthusiasts for Back Country Enthusiasts
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Horton Lake From Hwy 395 in Bishop, turn west on Line St. ( Hwy. 168 ) and continue for 7.7 miles to the Buttermilk County road, turn right. The pavement ends and becomes a graded dirt road. Drive 6.2 miles on the main dirt road, and turn right. Vehicles that are not four wheel drive or have high clearance should drive ½ mile on this road and park near the grove of Aspen. Others can go another .2 miles and turn right. Follow this road ½ mile to the locked gate. Do not block access to this gate. Hikers looking for a uncrowded trail will enjoy this trip, but get an early start, there's not much shade and you begin at a lower elevation than most trailheads in the Sierras. Begin a steady ascent on the old mining road, this is your trail for most of the hike. One of the few patches of shade will be found at ½ in a small grove of Aspens but you may have to share that shade with a swarm of mosquitoes! At 2 ½ miles you will reach a side trail going to the old Sonnyboy Mine, this is worth a side trip, with a few old mining shacks, a nice deep swimming hole and shady spots to cool of in. Continue on the main road / trail, crossing a wooden bridge at just over 2 ½ miles and walk through a meadow filled with wildflowers before you begin climbing again on the old road. One more set of switchbacks to endure about a mile later before reaching the remnants of the Hanging Valley Mining Company and Horton Lake just below at 5 miles. Those with energy to spare can scramble on up towards Upper Horton Lake, or just enjoy the view of the lower lake, surrounding peaks, and a picturesque waterfall. Trailhead Elevation Miles 7,750 Horton Lake 10, 040 5.0 Mt. Tom 13,652 John Muir Wilderness - Topo Mt. Abbott - 15 minute quad - Topo Mono Divide High Country - 15 minute - Topo Inyo National Forest - 60 minute
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