Bennett Juniper Road

Bennett Juniper Road (5N83Y and spur 5N83YB) is a short, easy out-and-back that branches off 5N01 and climbs gently across high-country terrain toward one of the Sierra Nevada’s most remarkable natural landmarks. The route follows rough dirt the whole way, but remains friendly to any high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicle.

The primary draw here is the Bennett Juniper, the largest and oldest western juniper known to be alive today. Estimated to be several thousand years old, the tree has passed through multiple eras of human care, from ranchers in the mid-1800s to modern conservation groups, including The Nature Conservancy, Save the Redwoods League, and now the Mother Lode Land Trust. A short fork, 5N83YB, leads to a looped pull-around with informational signage and a walking path that allows visitors to experience the tree up close without disturbing its delicate habitat. Late spring and early summer bring vibrant wildflower displays throughout the area, with native plants blanketing the surrounding meadows.

Camping opportunities along the road are sparse, with only a couple of viable dispersed sites. While solitude is easy to find mid-week, summer traffic in the broader region can increase as hikers, cabin visitors, and water-recreation crowds spread out across the Sierras. Like most high-elevation routes in this region, Bennett Juniper Road becomes inaccessible once winter snow settles in, transitioning into terrain favored by cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.

Simple, scenic, and historically significant, this short spur is well worth the detour for anyone exploring 5N01. The drive is easy, the terrain forgiving, and the payoff—a visit to a millennia-old giant—is something every Sierra traveler should experience at least once.