A few years ago some climbs of Iron Mtn. #1 were made from the East Fork
of the San Gabriel River, by the SW ridge, Allison mine, or the west
ridge.
During this period there was a prison camp, just above Camp Bonita.
On Sierra Club trips, the Warden preferred not to have the automobiles
left below the prison camp, which might encourage prisoners to attempt
escape by use of the cars.
Therefore, he was cooperative and helpful, unlocking the gates and taking
us through with the automobiles, and back in the rear area, to prevent
escape possibility. However, I recall one trip when we got down to the
prison camp and awakened the Warden to unlock the gate to let us out at
2:30 a.m., - he wasn't too happy about it. I am sure he was at a loss
to understand why anyone would take a trip like that just to enjoy the
mountains. It was a little hard to explain, but he did let us out
of the camp just the same.
