Physicist, I strongly urge you not to be fearful of going through the Bowen Ranch and paying the $4.00 to Mike. Despite all you read here, the Wizard hit the nail on the head in the "What are You thinking Post" when he indicated that Mike is primarily hostile when someone tries to sneak in without paying or trespasses.
There is additional BLM access routes you can get to by turning to the right on a marked road just before you come to the Bowen Ranch. I don't go that way because I have a low slung two wheel drive, but Wizard has posted some good directions somewhere on this website.