Introduction:
What? :
The 69 miles Sherman Pass Road (Forest Route 22S05 / County Route J41) is a paved route crossing the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, with steep switchbacks sections, high plateaus, pine forests and large breathtaking meadows.
At an elevation of 9,200 ft at the pass It’s one of California’s highest highway passes—the third-highest, after Tioga and Sonora passes.
Although “only” 69 miles long road plan for at least half day drive, you also need to drive to/from the far west end of the drive to your next destination.
The below blog is my day drive description from Highway 395 west to Highway 99 through Kennedy Meadows via Sherman Pass Road, what I see and two 4x4 offroad drives.
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Where? :
This area is in the Sequoia National Forest near the southern tip of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
The start of the drive on its west side is on highway 395.
Coming from the south: On highway 395 10.3 miles north of the connection to highway 14, pass the small gas station of Pearsonville and you will see the road turn to your left.
Coming from the north: drive 32.3 miles south of the junction with highway 190 and you will see the turn to your right.
The road climbing from 395 up to Kennedy Meadows, climb to 9,200 ft at the pass, then descending across the Kern Plateau toward Highway 99 routes westward.
When? :
The road typically opens in late May or early June after the winter snows melt and remains open until late fall or early winter when heavy snowfall forces its closure.
If you plan to visit early spring check if it is open before driving here.
Due note 1:
The road is paved for all its length, most in good conditions.
Expect tight turns, some sections with steep grades (up to 10%), and changing landscape.
Due note 2:
Don’t assume service or fuel availability along this drive even if sometimes you can fill up at Kennedy Meadows General Store.
The nearest fuel station on highway 395 is at Pearsonville just south of the start of the road.
The nearest fuel station on the east side is at Kernville (highway 99, 20 miles south of the road end/start)
Due note 3:
Some large sections of the forest were burned in the 2002 McNally Fire.
Due note 4:
A large network of OHV trails, 4x4 offroad drives, forest roads, and trailheads can be found all over the high elevation and the forest area.
Due note 5:
There are three main campgrounds in the forest area: Kennedy Meadows CG, Fish Creek, and Troy Meadows.
Due note 6:
There is no cell reception at the mountain peak and the flat high area.
Make sure you have an offline map.
Due note 7:
Bring enough water and food for your stay here.
Due note 10:
This area is National Forest (Kern River Ranger District), it is public land, no fees or overnight permits for dispersed camping are needed.
Respect the rules and regulations of the National Forest.
My thoughts:
I wanted to do this drive for many years and finally I found the opportunity during July 2025.
My drive started at the east side of the road, driving west from highway 395.
What a fun drive, you are climbing high into the mountains and there you will enjoy the large meadows , forest and high mountains views.
I took it slowly and added two side offroad drives to a high viewing point (Bold Mountain and Sherman Peak).
Although only 70 miles to cross with the offroad drives it took me half a day of driving.
The Drive:
For the first 24 miles (from HWY 395) you will climb up Nine Mile Canyon Road that follows an impressive canyon up the mountains.
Soon when you entered the canyon LA Aqueduct. Keep climbing on the steep winding road above dramatic canyon drop-offs
As you climb up and gain elevation the arid desert landscape will be transformed into hills that are covered with pine forest.
You are still climbing up but with less gradient.
After about 15 miles you will start to cross in the direction of Kennedy Meadows.
At mile 21.3 miles you will see on your left Grumpy Bears Retreat. A nice place to stop and get something to eat/drink.
Here you are in the middle of Kennedy Meadows, at mile 24 you will reach the junction of Kennedy Meadows General Store.
Here you can enjoy Chuckwagon BBQ or buy supply.
You need to turn left here, if you drive straight you will reach Kennedy Meadows Campground. A Pacific Crest Trail hikers hub with primitive campsites, picnic areas, trout fishing, vault toilets, and river access—all first-come, first-served×¥
One mile after the store the road crosses above The South Fork of Kern River.
This is a nice place to stop and enjoy the small river.
From here the road entered a large pine forest area where you can drive along open meadows at the creeks, what a nice section of the drive.
At milepost 36.8 you will see the entrance to USFS SQF Blackrock Fire Station.
Here at the very small office you can find a knowledgeable ranger that can answer questions.
I stop here to learn more on offroad drive conditions I plan to do nearby.
Keep driving in the forested area and in milepost 42.7, right at the sharp road bend you can see on your left a dirt road turnout leading to Bold Mountain.
This road is only for high-clearance 4x4 car !
It is not such a challenging drive and no special obstacle to report on but I will not recommend it to sedan cars.
I wrote a dedicated blog post to this drive:
Sherman Pass Bald Mountain Fire Lookout Offroad Drive
The road keeps following a few ridgelines twisting inside the forest and at milepost 53 near the 9,200 ft summit, you’ll find Sherman Pass Vista pull-outs on your left.
From here there are sweeping views to the north east with Mount Whitney that is about ~40 miles away.
Here I decided to do another side offroad drive, this time climbing to Sherman Peak.
The offroad drive was challenging with overgrown vegetation on the steep trail climbing up and extremely steep descent with bad trail condition on my way deciding back to the main road.
I wroth a blog on this offroad experience:
Sherman Peak Offroad Drive - Southern Sierra
From this viewpoint the road continues westward, descending sharply onto the Kern river canyon area.
This area was severely burned and the mountains are exposed.
From the pass it is about 15 miles of continuous drive steep down up to the junction with highway 99 in the Kern River canyon.
This is the end of our drive.
From here if you turn right (drive west) you will soon reach the bridge over the Kern River and the trailhead along the river.
Keep driving one mile up the road and you will reach Severn Teacup Waterfalls Trailhead. If you drive a few more miles you will reach Johnsondale private campground and RV park.
If you decide to turn left (south) you will drive alongside down the Kern River. Passes Fairview Dam, Fairview Campground, and from there drive about 15 miles all the way south to the small town of Kernville.
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