Jun 09, 2017 — Though the Heaton Flat Trail to Iron Mountain is mostly just an uphill slog, it's more remote than many trails in the San Gabriels and really gorgeous, especially along the ridgeline leading from the Heaton Saddle to the base of Iron Mountain. Overall, the trail is fairly unchanging the whole time.
Follow a dirt road from the East Fork Trailhead toward Bridge to Nowhere, but turn right up a much less traveled trail when you get to a campground shortly after starting, the Heaton Flat Trail. This trail leads with moderate steepness to Heaton Saddle before traversing a ridge with 360 degree views, and then to the slog up to Iron Mountain. Beautiful summit views of Mt. Baldy and other surrounding mountains.
Please consider helping me out if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all site fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing these trip reports is unpaid. You can also hire me as a web developer. I really appreciate it!
If you find my site helpful, please help me replace my many broken cameras, fund my website fees (hosting, APIs, security), or just support my countless hours of work. I pay for all expenses myself, and all trip reports I post are unpaid and unsponsored, so any support is really appreciated!
If using PayPal, please select their option for "Sending to a friend" so they don't take out fees, thank you.
My site is free to use, but consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running. Thanks in advance!