There are other ways to get to Deep Creek without paying Mike at Bowen Ranch. You can walk in from west -a relatively flat route from the spillway off Deep Creek Road. Its a lot longer, 7 miles I think.
If you have 4 wheel drive, you can turn off on the fairly new BLM dirt road just prior to the entrance to Bowen Ranch. Don't try this in a 2 wheel drive. I don't recall the actual number -I think its FS4.
I'm not familiar with coming down to Deep creek from Lake Arrowhead area- I believe it is a LOT further.